Solana to make Iran nuclear offer

14/06/2008| IslamWeb

 The EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, is set to attend talks in Iran in an attempt to resolve the crisis over the country's nuclear programme.

Mr Solana will present the Iranian government with a "generous" offer of incentives designed to encourage it to suspend the enrichment of uranium.

 

The West fears the enriched uranium could be used to make nuclear weapons.

 

If Iran refuses, the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany have threatened further sanctions.

 

On Wednesday, US President George W Bush said he wanted to pursue diplomacy to deal with the issue, but insisted "all options are on the table".

 

Last chance

 

These are not exactly last-ditch talks, as that might imply something dramatic will happen if they fail. But they probably do represent the last chance of a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis for the foreseeable future.

 

Mr Solana will offer Iran help with a peaceful nuclear programme and the suspension of UN sanctions, if Iran agrees to suspend the enrichment of uranium.

 

The Western help would include the transfer of technology, a guarantee of fuel for nuclear power, and other trade and political benefits.

 

If Iran refuses, new financial sanctions are likely, although Mr Solana is unlikely to spell out the threat quite so crudely.

 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already repeated many times that Iran will not change course, so the chances of success are not good.

 

But Iran does seem at least to want to continue talking. 

 

PHOTO CAPTION:

Solana

 BBC