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Ahmadinejad Calls For More Dialogue

September 14, 2006 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said today he believes Iran's nuclear standoff with the West can be settled through dialogue.

Speaking on a visit to the West African nation of Senegal, Ahmadinejad said Iran was ready for what he called "new conditions" regarding the nuclear issue, but gave no details.

"We favor dialogue and negotiation, and we believe that we can resolve the problem together in a context of dialogue and justice," Ahmadinejad said.

He said, however, that he did not believe Iran would be hit with United Nations sanctions over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, saying there is "no reason" for sanctions.

He said Tehran has many times expressed and announced its position regarding the nuclear issue, and that its position has not changed.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Washington on September 13 that the postponement of a meeting between Iran and the European Union suggests Iran is not interested in accepting international demands to halt uranium enrichment.

Rice spoke after officials said a meeting, planned for today, between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani had been postponed.

Officials said lower-level Iranian and EU officials would instead meet in Paris.

(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