Geneva, Dec. 7: Iran and six world powers concluded talks on Tuesday with an agreement to reconvene in early 2011, suggesting Tehran may be willing to address concerns about its nuclear programme. But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that unless they lift UN sanctions the six face failure in the next round.
Diplomats from delegations at the table with Iran said Tehran made no commitments to talking about UN Security Council demands that Tehran freeze uranium enrichment — which has both civilian and military uses. “We didn’t get anywhere on substance,” said one of the officials. “It was an exchange of views.” Iran’s chief negotiator, Saed Jalili, also sought to dampen expectations. “I am telling you clearly and openly that halting uranium enrichment will not be discussed at the Istanbul meeting,” he told reporters.
But the diplomats said Mr Jalili did not object when the six powers, the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, brought up concern over enrichment during two days of talks that ended at midday Tuesday. The fact that the Iranians listened to international worries led to the decision to agree to a second round, said the three officials, who asked for anonymity because the information was confidential. Mr Ahmadinejad set the bar high for the success of those next talks, saying it hinged on whether the UN Security Council agreed to lift five resolutions and four sets of sanctions against his country, imposed over its refusal to freeze enrichment. That is something the five permanent Security Council members are unlikely to even consider.
“If you come to talks with sincerity, loyalty to the law, friendship and respect ... and cancel resolutions, sanctions and some restrictions that you imposed, it will definitely be helpful,” state TV’s website quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as saying.
“But if you again come with deception and animosity, not respecting the rights of the Iranian nation ... the response of the Iranian nation will be the same as you’ve received until today. This response will be very regretful.” He also scoffed at the suggestion that the US with its huge nuclear arsenal and its allies were afraid that Iran could develop nuclear arms.