Solana delivers West's proposed package of incentives for Iran
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, June 7, IRNA
Iran-Europe-Nuclear issue
The European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tuesday handed over a package of commercial, technological and diplomatic incentives and penalties to Iran which opened a new chapter in Iran's nuclear case.
The incentives were prepared by the EU big trio (Britain, France and Germany) and approved by the United States, Russia and China -- three permanent members of the five veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council.
Solana, who arrived in Tehran Monday night to present the West's nuclear proposals to Iran, told reporters at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport that the EU intends to settle Iran's nuclear case based on a spirit of confidence and respect.
His visit to Tehran showed Europe's willingness to resolve Iran's nuclear case in a peaceful way.
Solana added he was visiting Iran as a representative of several important countries which intend to resume nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
The proposed package included great parts of West incentives to Iran in commercial, technological and technical fields as well as security guarantees, dispatch of the US-made aircraft parts and agricultural technologies.
A decision to sale aircraft parts by Boeing Co and Airbus to Iran was regarded as a major step to lift sanctions against Tehran.
Washington imposed sanctions against Iran since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 which prevented sale of parts of military and non-military aircraft. The sanctions were imposed not only on the US-made aircraft but even on European planes such as Airbus whose some parts are being made in the US.
The proposals indicated that the US may decide to review and put an end to its hostile policies on Iran. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has earlier expressed her country's readiness to join talks on Iran's nuclear program if it abandons enrichment work.
The US would consider nuclear right for Iran, if it is after peaceful nuclear program which does not bear a danger of production of advanced atomic fuel, she said.
It seems an appropriate atmosphere currently exists in the international community and Iran in its nuclear case and great parts of concerns have been removed.
Senior Iranian officials believe that the West's new nuclear proposals include positive points while there are still certain ambiguities.
Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said on Tuesday said there are "positive steps" in the proposals but certain "ambiguities" still need to be removed.
Larijani made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with Solana.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly announced it may halt industrial-scale uranium enrichment but will never suspend its research and development (R&D) work.
Iran has always stressed that its nuclear activities are totally peaceful and based on international regulations.
According to the West new proposals, Iran is authorized to have ccess to one light water reactor if it temporary suspends its uranium enrichment. In such circumstances, all concerns over possible trade sanctions will be removed.
Meanwhile, the US and Europe have agreed to support Iran's joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Europe presented a package of incentives to Tehran but raised the issue of severe measures to be adopted by the Security Council including sanctions in case of Iran's complete opposition.
The proposals mainly offered incentives to Iran but still have punishments which include putting a ban on senior and state Iranian officials and blocking Iran's assets outside the country.
The proposals, however, include no threat of a military measure against Tehran and avoid the language of force.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan ahs called on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to precisely review the proposals.
Undoubtedly, Iran should prevent any haste in giving its response to the West's package of incentives. It needs farsightedness, caution and a multilateral view, he added.
After meeting with Solana, Larijani said: "We have received the Europeans' offer. We will study them in detail and give our response after that."
2327/2321/1414
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