Kofi Annan Says: Iran wants Nuclear Program Talks
By Laiylla Sherazi 'Pakistan Times' Foreign Correspondent

TEHRAN (Iran): President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants negotiations on Iran's nuclear program but won't halt uranium enrichment ahead of talks, U.N. chief Kofi Annan said Sunday after meeting with the Iranian leader.

Annan's two-day visit to Tehran comes after Iran set aside a United Nations deadline to halt uranium enrichment by the end of August, opening the door to possible sanctions.

"On the nuclear issue, the president reaffirmed to me Iran's preparedness and commitment to hold negotiations" with Western powers to find a solution to the impasse over Tehran's nuclear work, Annan said at a joint news conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki.

However, Ahmadinejad "reiterated that he did not accept suspension before negotiations," the U.N. chief said, conveying Iran's rejection of a condition set by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.

Ahmadinejad did not attend the news conference or give any statements. On Saturday — the first day of Annan's visit — he reiterated at a rally that Tehran would continue its nuclear activities.

Perspective

In June, Iran was offered an incentives package to roll back its nuclear program. Tehran's lack of cooperation with U.N. inspectors has raised concerns it is trying to produce nuclear weapons. It says its atomic program is peaceful, aiming to generate electricity.

Iran's slowness in responding to the package prompted the Security Council to issue a resolution July 31 demanding that Tehran halt uranium enrichment by the end of August.

On Sunday, Mottaki said the council issued the resolution "under pressure from the United States and Britain" and described it as a "mistake" and a "black mark against them."

Iran did respond to the incentive package Aug. 22, rejecting the stipulation that it stop enriching uranium before talks begin. The content of its response has not been made public.

Iran appeared more responsive to U.N. concerns regarding Lebanon, where Tehran is alleged to be a backer of the Hezbollah guerrilla group.

Ahmadinejad "reaffirmed his country's support for the implementation of resolution 1701,"

Annan said, referring to the resolution that imposed a cease-fire in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and included measures to prevent the rearming of Islamic militia.

The U.N. chief did not disclose specifics of his talks on the topic with the Iranian president. After meeting with Annan on Saturday, Mottaki made a vague promise to support the resolution, but did not directly mention Hezbollah.

Annan's meeting with the Iranian president came on the final day of his two-day visit to Iranian capital on a tour that has included stops in Lebanon, Israel and Syria.

He is slated to make stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.●