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UK official: Group 5+1 seeks 'freeze for freeze' agreement with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, April 15, IRNA -- A British Foreign Office official says there is no change to Group 5+1 approach of 'full suspension' of uranium enrichment in exchange for suspension of the measures against Iran.

Barry Marston, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman, told IRNA there has been some incorrect reporting concerning the Group 5+1 being willing to drop any precondition for talks with Iran.

"All members of the E3+3 (5+1) at the recent meeting in London agreed that there was no change to our fundamental objective of full suspension of uranium enrichment in exchange for suspension of the measures taken against Iran."

Marston said the major positive development in the London meeting was 'the US's announcement of a change to its approach on engagement ... that the US would be present in all forthcoming E3+3 discussions with the Iranians."

He added that the aim of the coming preliminary E3+3-Iran talks with US participation is to seek agreement on a temporary period of 'freeze for freeze' -- which means Iran should halt the expansion of its nuclear program in return for 'the E3+3 halting discussion of further sanctions'.
Marston explained that Group 5+1 has made clear that if Iran agrees to full suspension of its enrichment and reprocessing capacity, in exchange, there will be full suspension of the measures taken against the country to date.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes while the West accuses the Islamic Republic of developing nuclear technology for military applications.

The Iranian government has been exposed to five sets of United Nations Security Council resolutions for pursuing nuclear know-how for peaceful purposes -- a reality China, Russia, United States, Britain, France plus Germany (Group 5+1) suspect.

"At this point full and substantive talks could commence about the proposals which have been previously been made by both sides, including the offer to assist Iran in the development of a state-of-the-art civilian nuclear facilities and transformed relations with the US and EU, in return for Iran adopting confidence-building measures to establish the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme," Marston said.

Last Wednesday, the Group 5+1 gathered in London to discuss the new US approach of engagement with Iran. In it, they once again recognized Iran's right to a civilian nuclear program and invited the country to resume nuclear negotiations with the group.

"We reaffirm our unity of purpose and collective determination through direct diplomacy to resolve our shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program, in line with the package proposals for cooperation with Iran and in the context of our dual-track strategy.

"We recognize once again that Iran has the right to a civilian nuclear program, but with that comes the responsibility to restore confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear activities in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions."