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Iran says Ready to Start ‘Serious, Targeted’ Negotiations | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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WASHINGTON (AFP) – Iran is ready to enter “serious and targeted” negotiations with world powers on a wide range of issues, including nuclear energy, the Islamic republic says in a new package of proposals translated by a US organization.

The package, attached to a May 13 letter from Iran’s foreign minister to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, offers talks on nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of atomic technology, according to the translation posted on the website of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS).

Tehran also proposes creating “enrichment and nuclear fuel production consortiums in different parts of the world — including Iran” and calls for “improved supervision” by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

But Iran’s proposal to six world powers — the United States, France, Britain, Russia, Germany and China — does not include any promise to halt uranium enrichment work, which it has continued in defiance of UN sanctions.

The package also calls for talks on worldwide economic, political and security issues, including cooperation to help Palestinians “find a comprehensive plan — one that is sustainable, democratic and fair.”

“Within the parameters of this package, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to start serious and targeted negotiations to produce tangible results,” the document says.

In his accompanying letter, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reiterated Tehran’s demand of talks without preconditions and said the package could provide the basis for “long-term cooperation.”

Iran’s proposal was made as the six world powers prepared to offer refreshed incentives to persuade it to freeze its controversial nuclear activities. A date has yet to be set for the offer to be presented to Tehran.

The West fears Iran could use uranium enrichment to make atomic weapons but Iran insists its ambitions are limited to energy creation and that it has a right to make nuclear fuel as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The UN Security Council has imposed three sets of sanctions on Iran to force it to stop enrichment.