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Iran Rejects G8 Deadline On Nuclear Package

June 29, 2006 -- Iran's foreign minister has rejected demands for a rapid response to a package of incentives intended to persuade Iran to suspend its nuclear program.

The Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries said on June 29 that they expect a "clear and substantive" answer from Iran on whether it will accept the offer when the European Union's foreign affairs chief, Javier Solana, meets with Iran's top nuclear negotiator on July 5.

The G8 also said they were disappointed by Iran's failure to make an official response so far.

But Manuchehr Mottaki, speaking at the United Nations, said Iran's answer will come in August and not before. He said Iran wanted to settle questions about the package at the July 5 meeting with Solana.

China today also called on Iran to respond quickly to the international package of incentives. It did not, though, set a deadline.

The G8 foreign ministers were meeting in Moscow to prepare the agenda for the group's summit in St. Petersburg, to be held on July 15-17.

(compiled from agency reports)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org