France: Any proposal negotiable after Tehran's `yes' to western proposal
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Paris, Oct 3, IRNA
Iran-France-Mattei
France said on Tuesday that any proposal would be negotiable if Tehran answers positively to the western proposal.
Talking to IRNA after Tehran's proposal for creation of a consortium to produce enriched uranium in Iran, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said the 'new' proposal has been put forward by Iran for the first time.
Mattei said Paris had received the proposal through radio Tuesday morning.
"The proposal can be considered within framework of talks between (Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali) Larijani and (The EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier) Solana and we are waiting Iran's response," said the French Foreign Ministry official.
No response in connection with the proposal for dual suspension has however been received on Iran's part, said Mattei, adding that if Tehran gives positive response to it and suspends uranium enrichment temporarily, one can enter talks on any proposal.
"The priority is now resumption of talks and that depends on Iran's measures for suspension of enrichment; concurrently, the UN Security Council too should suspend the issue of sanctions.
"In that case, Iran would be free to extend any proposal." French radio, `France Info', earlier Tuesday quoted the deputy director of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammad Saeedi, as suggesting the French consortium idea for uranium enrichment as a way to break a deadlock over Iran's nuclear program.
"To be able to reach a solution, we have just had an idea. We propose that France create a consortium for the production in Iran of enriched uranium," Saeedi said.
"That way France, through its Eurodif and Areva companies, can monitor our activities in a tangible fashion."
Tehran's idea comes on the heels of French President Jacques Chirac's suggestion for suspension of UN sanctions threat while further 5+1 Group's negotiations take place.
"I propose that, on the one hand, the six refrain from referring the issue to the Security Council, and that Iran renounce during the negotiation the enrichment of uranium."
Mattei said the Group of 5+1 are awaiting Tehran's positive response so as to launch serious talks on the issue.
The proposal too can be discussed after confidence-building by Iran, he added.
Iran's talks with Solana have not yet come to any conclusion but the talks would still continue, he concluded.
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