Iran Invites Western Diplomats To Discuss Reasons To Enrich Uranium

Iran ready to discuss reasons for enrichment
Iranian foreign minister says Iran is inviting western diplomats to discuss reasons for Tehran's resolve to enrich uranium, saying time has come for 'sincere' dialogue instead of 'language of force'

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Associated Press
Published: 10.21.06, 12:35

Iran is inviting Western representatives for discussions of why Tehran is continuing uranium enrichment in the face of international sanctions threats, the foreign minister said Saturday.

"We don't see any logic to suspending uranium enrichment. Enrichment of uranium by Iran is a legal action derived from its membership rights in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters.

"But we are ready to hold talks about the reason for enrichment," he said.

Iran has been locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear program. A draft United Nations resolution on Iran is expected to be introduced in the Security Council early next week, and diplomats have said they would seek limited sanctions on Tehran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.

Mottaki's comments came a day after French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said his country would be willing to suspend the drive for sanctions if Iran takes steps toward resolving questions over its nuclear program.

France has veto power on the Security Council.

Iran says its nuclear pursuits are peaceful and energy-related. But the United States and some in Europe accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

Enrichment is a key process that can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or the material for a warhead.

On Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the UN Security Council and its decisions

"illegitimate," saying the world body was being used as a political tool by Iran's enemies - the United States and Britain.

"Dialogue is the best way to reach an understanding ... We recommend the West to return to talks and avoid testing a path they have already tested," Mottaki told a news conference on Saturday. He didn't elaborate.

"The time for language of force is over. The West has tested threats in our region. We invite them to sincerely return to talks," he said.