Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent
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Tehran will today be offered the chance of international assistance to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme if it halts uranium enrichment — or face punishing sanctions within a month.
Javier Solana, the European Union chief, will deliver the message to Iranian leaders today as the head of a six-member international delegation of senior diplomats from Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. The “carrot and stick package” outlined by British officials this week offers Iran a range of incentives to begin negotiations but not until it has halted all Iranian enrichment.
Officials acknowledge that the package differs little to that offered in 2006 but hope that its timing, greater international support for punitive measures should Iran refuse and more specific proposals of help may induce the Iranians to consider it more seriously. The package will be accompanied by a strongly worded letter signed by the foreign ministers of all the so-called “EU3 plus 3” countries, including the United States, the only one not sending a representative to Tehran. The Bush Administration refuses to negotiate directly with Tehran while it continues to defy the world over its nuclear programme.
Mr Solana will meet Manouchehr Mottaki, the Foreign Minister, and Saeed Jalili, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator — but crucially not President Ahmadinejad, who is seen as an obstacle to a settlement. The team hope to exploit divisions within Iran’s hardline leadership to sell the plan, pitching it towards more moderate leaders among whom a debate about the wisdom of an offensive nuclear programme has emerged.
Unlike 2006, the team plan to make the details of the package public at a press conference in Tehran to make sure the debate can continue outside the immediate circle of their meetings. The contents of the 2006 package were never released and remained a secret to many even within the upper echelons of government. “This way they can not misrepresent it,” an official said.
Officials have admitted that they are not confident of Iran’s compliance but that the offer of incentives had been necessary to secure the agreement of China and Russia to punitive measures should they reject the plan.
The trip comes as President Bush, in a tour of Europe, again hinted at the threat of military action, cautioning that Iranian belligerence must be firmly opposed and Iran must no be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
This weekend’s trip, however, focuses on the threat of economic punishment rather than military action. New EU sanctions could be in place within a month if Iran rejects the package outright. Should it simply ignore the proposals, the sanctions could be introduced in little more than six weeks.
That would pave the way for a vote at the UN Security Council to impose its own restrictions, which would focus on making it harder for Iranian companies to do business around the world.
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US/Israeli... oil for one, and expansion for the other...
Mark Price, Blackpool, UK
Iran should have the right to own d nuclear weapons, as other nations have the right to own nuclear weapons. It is reasonable that Israel should now prevent threats by the Iranian government from materializing. Discussions should be a warning of iminent war by Israel for self-defense.
Dennis, florida, USA
Forget about Iran because Iran did not involve in 9/11 attacks. Iran has the right to have own nuke energy for their consumer need. Pakistan is a volatile and dangerous country in the world because Teleban/Al Qaeda weakens Pakistan government and attempts to steal Pakistan nuke bombs.
Jeffrey, Arlington, VA, USA
Peace to all. This is chicken & egg story. No end and no answer.
Whatever, I seriously think Middle east (including Israel) should be a nuke free region. Oil matters can explode easily. They must really think over and resolve differences by peaceful talks, not war or nukes.
Peace to the world.
Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia
If true, I believe Iran wants to develop nukes mainly b'cos of defence and as a deterrent. It probably don't need such weapons if US and Israel were not so threatening in the first place. To remove this mistrust, the 3 parties shld seriously consider meeting & negotiating for a nuke free middle east
Lim , Johor Bahru, Malaysia
This toing and froing did not occur when Israel developed Nuclear weapons or when it has fitted them to its submarine fleet. Maybe thats why the Iranians view this concern with contempt
Jim, Doncaster, Lincs
They should be negotiating the destruction of ALL nuclear related industries IMO...if there is a pole shift in 2012 or any other major tectonic movements ...which are inevitable... the whole world will have to pay for the nightmare created by the meltdown of a half dozen nukes or MORE...
moose, Roswell,
Which country on earth has ever used nuclear weapons killing hundreds of thousands of people in few hours in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Does anyone know what is happening today to infants and children of Falluja, Iraq as a result of US phosphoric bombs used in 2004 and later? US can't say who should!
saleh darwish, Amman, Jordan
Given Iranian government's hardline nuclear policy, it is unlikely the new package will be accepted by Teheran, but the Europeans and the USA are proposing very good deal to Iran. Nuclear weapons in the hands of Islamic extremists is the most dangerous event and this can not be allowed.
David Dzidzikashvili, Cambridge, MA, USA
So how long is Iran supposed to get to consider this re-hashed proposal? And what really happens if they reject the deal? Business is business, and the Iranians will find some way to work around the sanctions; just look at the example of Cuba. So then, what happens?
jayil, london, uk
The 6 world powers are asking the Iranian regime to stop enrichment or Iran as a nation without mullah's in the future ? The latter will be rejected by all Iranians. There is no logic in stopping what is legally Iran's right. If the west wants to negotiate, the door is open, but no preconditions.
Touran, London, UK
I love the way the headline characterizes this situation as Teheran's last chance on deal of nuclear power.
So then, what happens?
US/Israeli military action
This is precisely the same kind of rhetoric we saw leading up to the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Mats, Stockholm,
The Iranians would be extremely foolish to give up enrichment, for that would subject their energy industry to the same sort of coercive extortion they are experiencing now.
A workable arrangement would perhaps to allow them enrichment with international inspectors and detailed monitoring.
Arik Silver, Milwaukee, USA
Given Iranian government's hardline nuclear policy, it is unlikely the new package will be accepted by Teheran. The 3 plus 3 should give much more serious thought on how to deal with a defiant Teheran in particular but with the clandestine proliferation of nuclear technology via Islamabad in general
Kailash N Pandit, New Delhi, India
To be just and even-handed, these six nations should also be considering the imposition of economic sanctions on Israel, which has developed its own nuclear arsenal in secrecy, and has never agreed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Robert J Molineaux, Redfield, New York, USA