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Mottaki: Two-month deadline for answering package not long

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 4, IRNA
Iran-Qatar-Mottaki
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Tuesday that a two-month deadline for responding to the proposed package is not a much long time.

Mottaki said a joint press conference with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani that last year, Europeans had commented on Iran's proposal after four months and the present package of incentives had taken several months to be prepared. "So, a two-month period for responding to the incentive package is not a long time," he added.

He hoped that the negotiating parties would reach an all-out understanding through unconditional talks by relying on goodwill and a comprehensive formula.

He also expressed optimism that under the agreement, reached between the two sides, both Iran's legal rights would be respected and the NPT would be strengthened.

The top diplomat voiced Iran's readiness for unconditional talks with the 5+1 Group and said that until August, when Iran is to present its response, both European and non-European states involved in presentation of the package can take part in the talks.

He hoped that the negotiations would help transparency and remove ambiguities.

He said that August, a date set by Iran for presenting its response, cannot be changed.

Al-Thani for his part said his country wants to contribute to peaceful settlement of the case.

"We do not like to see any difference on time, rather a consensus on the content."
He said he is carrying a verbal message to Iranian officials from Qatari emir.

Elsewhere in the press conference, both sides urged Muslim states to support the Palestinian state.

They called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference to decide on the issue.

Mottaki called for the release of all the Palestinian officials by Israel, urging Muslim states to build all-out pressure on the Zionist regime.

He said Israeli crimes and kidnapping of Palestinian officials are in fact ridiculing the Palestinian people's free choice and making a mockery of democracy.

"The Zionist regime should await the consequences of its disrespect for the will of the Palestinian nation," he added.

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