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Iran's Rafsanjani urges US to end sanctions threat
Tehran (AFP) April 24, 2009 Senior Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani urged the United States on Friday to stop threatening the Islamic republic with new sanctions if it wants talks over the country's nuclear drive. US Secretary of State Hillary "Clinton says 'we are ready for talks but beside that we prepare for paralyzing sanctions against Iran'," Rafsanjani said in his Friday prayer sermon carried live on state radio. "What can they expect of us when such things are said?", the influential cleric said, adding: "They'd better not repeat these comments so the atmosphere existing in Iran today for talks is not ruined." Clinton said on Wednesday the administration of President Barack Obama is prepared to push for tough sanctions against Iran if the new dialogue fails. On Wednesday Iran responded favourably to a call from major powers to resume dialogue on its controversial nuclear programme, while reaffirming that it would continue with its activities in the sector. Western powers fear that Iran's nuclear drive could be a cover for efforts to build an atomic bomb, but Tehran insists it is aimed purely at generating electricity for a growing population. Permanent UN Security Council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany have sought to persuade Iran to accept a package of political and economic incentives in exchange for an end to uranium enrichment. Uranium enrichment lies at the centre of fears about Iran's nuclear programme as the process can make both nuclear fuel and the fissile core of an atom bomb. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week he will present a new package for negotiations aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
EU urges Iran to use US policy change to seal atomic deal
Brussels (AFP) April 24, 2009The European Union will urge Iran to take advantage of a change in US policy to seal a deal and end the standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, according to a draft document Friday. |
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