THE Iranian President scoffed at a European initiative to end peacefully the crisis over his country’s nuclear programme yesterday. He ridiculed attempts by Britain, France and Germany to reach a compromise and accused the mediators of treating the Iranian people like children.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a cheering crowd: “They say they want to give the Iranians incentives. They are treating us like a four-year-old child who can be given nuts and chocolate in exchange for gold.”

His remarks were broadcast live on state television, killing any hopes that the incentives would persuade Iran to abandon its controversial uranium enrichment programme, which Washington fears is a cover for building an atomic bomb.

The Europeans were intending to propose that they build a light-water nuclear reactor for Iran’s civilian programme. The offer was to have been finalised in London tomorrow by diplomats from the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. That meeting has now been postponed until next week.

Mr Ahmadinejad, who rejected an offer by European mediators last year, said that Iran would never abandon its enrichment programme. He gave a warning that, if pushed, it would withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and end co-operation with inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear watchdog.

“We accepted suspension three years ago,” he told the crowd of supporters, who chanted “Death to America” and “Ahmadinejad, we love you!”. “But this was a bitter experience. We will not be bitten by the same snake twice.”

World powers remain deeply divided about how to deal with the crisis. America wants to proceed this month with a binding resolution before the UN Security Council that would compel Iran to stop enrichment under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Iranian defiance could lead to sanctions and, ultimately, the use of force.

Britain and France are in favour of the move but Russia and China, who also hold permanent seats on the Security Council, want further diplomatic moves.

The United States has signalled that it is running out of patience. It would like to press for punitive measures, with or without the blessing of the UN.

It is unlikely that Washington would win broad support for trade sanctions against Iran but it is investigating how to block Tehran from access to international financial markets, which could harm its attempt to raise foreign capital.

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