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US open to new iran russia nuclear talks { March 13 2006 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3720257.htmlhttp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3720257.html
March 13, 2006, 2:10PM
U.S. Open to New Iran-Russia Nuclear Talks
By BARRY SCHWEID AP Diplomatic Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration said Monday it is open to a resumption of Russian talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but has no indication Tehran is ready to give up its uranium enrichment efforts.
Another round of talks between the two countries could be held even while the U.N. Security Council considers how to constrain an Iranian program that the United States and its European allies say is geared to developing nuclear weapons, a State Department spokesman said.
Russia has offered to enrich uranium for civilian purposes for Iran, thereby keeping the process out of Iran's control as a safeguard to weapons production.
Iran has delayed and resisted, spokesman Tom Casey said. "If they would like to change their minds, if they would like to come around, if they would like to end their two years of defiance of requirements and requests from the international community, we would certainly like to see it."
But, Casey added, "Unfortunately, we have no indication that that's going to occur."
The dispute has been referred to the U.N. Security Council, where Casey said the Bush administration seeks, as an initial step, a statement by the Council presidency that calls on Iran to fulfill its international obligations.
"Iran knows what it needs to do and what we're waiting to see is whether the Iranians will finally make the decision that has been asked of them and been required of them by the international community for some time," Casey said.
He said he did not know when a draft of a statement would be submitted or by which country. "I can't tell you whether that is going to be in the next two days, next four days, next six days," Casey said. "I don't want to pin it down on specific timing."
While action in the Security Council is where the Bush administration places its focus, further talks between Russia and Iran are not inconsistent with U.S. efforts at the United Nations, he said.
And "if Iran stands up today and does a complete 180, turns around and says we would agree to abide by all the international community's requirements ... if it wants to return to the negotiating table and work out a real deal with the Russians, as opposed to some of the delaying tactics that we've seen with them, that would be wonderful," Casey said.
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