Accept our nuclear package, Iran tells world powers

Tehran: Iran said on Saturday its answer to an offer from world powers over its nuclear programme would depend on how the West responds to an Iranian package Tehran put forward last month.

"We are waiting to receive the precise points of view of the 5+1 world powers about our package," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

"The response of Iran to the package of the 5+1 world powers will be given taking into account a constructive and logical response of the world powers to Iran's own package," he said in a statement.

Solana on Saturday presented a new offer to Mottaki on ending the six-year standoff over Iran's nuclear drive, offering economic and trade incentives.

Iran has put great emphasis on its own package submitted to the international community, which it portrays as an all-embracing drive to solve the world's problems, including its nuclear standoff with the West.

Mottaki described the package as evoking "the global obligations of all the countries" on the nuclear issue.

He highlighted its insistence on "the creation of uranium enrichment consortiums in various countries, including Iran."

This appears to reaffirm Iran's insistence it will not give up its right to uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, the main sticking point in the crisis.

The package also proposes that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) step up its supervision of nuclear sites around the world and asserts that more should be done to ensure nuclear programmes are not diverted to military ends.

The package was delivered to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in mid-May as well as to world powers, including Russia.

However, until now it has provoked little reaction from world capitals, despite Iran's efforts to promote the package as a major drive to solve the world's problems.

As well as the nuclear standoff, the Iranian package contains suggestions for curbing drug use, promoting security in regions like the Middle East and fighting poverty.