No deadline for Iran on nuclear offer, says Lavrov
Moscow, June 2. (AP): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today that Iran does not face a deadline to respond to an offer from six world powers for a package of rewards, if it gives up suspect nuclear activities or punishment if it refuses, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.
Tehran "will not face a deadline to respond to the proposal of the six nations," he was quoted as saying. Lavrov said, however, that he expected Iran to give an answer within a few weeks after being presented with the offer.
Russia's top diplomat, who took part in talks in Vienna yesterday, that led to the new international initiative aimed at resolving the Iranian nuclear standoff, said the UN Security Council could take up the issue once again if Iran rejects the offer.
A short statement issued by Foreign Ministers from the six powers and the European Union did not mention economic sanctions.
The powers agreed privately, however, that Iran could face tough UN Security Council sanctions, if it fails to give up the enrichment of uranium and other disputed nuclear activities, US officials said.
The package would be on the table fo a proposed new round of bargaining with Tehran over what the West calls a rogue nuclear programme that could produce a bomb.
Also present were representatives of Russia and China, which have been Tehran's trading partners and might join in any futue talks with Iran. |
