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Iran lukewarm to E.U.’s new proposals

— Photo: AP

No deal yet: Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (left) receives documents from E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana, during their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran on Saturday.

DUBAI: Iran has said it would decline a fresh offer of incentives by western countries if it seeks suspension of uranium enrichment.

The foreign policy chief for the European Union (E.U.), Javier Solana, is in Tehran with an offer contained in a three-page letter, signed by the five members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany.

Diplomatic sources said that three specific proposals are made in the letter. The signatories are making a formal commitment of renouncing the use of force against Iran. Economic relations with Tehran would also be fully normalised. Besides, Iran will be promised cutting-edge technology related to light water nuclear reactors. Iran would have to suspend uranium enrichment to avail, what has been billed by Mr. Solana, a “generous and comprehensive” offer.

Analysts say that the new offer is more categorical in stating the incentives Iran could get for suspending enrichment, when compared to the proposals that Mr. Solana had brought with him two years ago. Also, the incentives hope to influence the ongoing internal debate in Iran on the merits of pursuing enrichment. Iran has, however, officially reiterated that it would not halt uranium enrichment. A spokesman said Iran would consider the deal, but suspension of enrichment was “not debatable.”

Observers said Iran’s refusal to act is likely to spur the debate in the West on intensifying sanctions against Iran. The E.U. is expected to roll out fresh sanctions by the end of July that would target Iran’s Bank Melli.

While convergence could emerge on the use of economic measures and diplomacy, key countries are opposed to the use of force against Iran.

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