CIS: Iran ready for 'constructive' talks with six powers: Russia
Wed Sep 16 04:25:41 EST 2009
Tue Sep 15 18:25:41 UTC 2009
MOSCOW, Sept 15 AFP - Iran is ready to hold "constructive talks" with six world powers next month after it submitted new proposals regarding its disputed nuclear programme, the Russian foreign ministry says.
"The Iranian 'package' reflects a desire to have 'deep and constructive talks' with the Six," foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said in a statement on Tuesday.
The five UN Security Council permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany are due to take part in the talks with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on October 1.
The six powers had called for urgent talks with Iran after it handed the proposals last week.
Washington expressed disappointment with the package, saying it was "not really responsive to our greatest concern", but Moscow said it offered "something to dig into".
According to a copy of the proposals obtained and published by US non-profit investigative journalism group, Pro Publica, Iran said it was prepared to hold "comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive negotiations".
The United States, the European Union and Israel fear that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian nuclear power programme, but Tehran denies the charges and says the programme is peaceful.
