EU: Iran nuclear deadline unnecessary

by rahul | August 2, 2008 at 09:15 am

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As incentive package the P5+1 group offered to Iran in Geneva fell in deaf ears, the US unilaterally impose a deadline for Teheran to answer. As Iran would not be forced to accept the incentive offer under duress, the EU has claimed the US deadline is unnecessary.

EU: Iran nuclear deadline unnecessary
Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:12:22

A European Union official has played down the significance of a deadline in the efforts aimed at resolving Iran's nuclear standoff.

Following the July 19 Geneva nuclear talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UNSC plus Germany, major world powers set a deadline of two weeks for Iran to respond to a package of incentives which requires the country to suspend uranium enrichment.

Iran says it will continue talks to reach a mutual agreement in the nuclear dispute, adding that 'issuing ultimatums, setting timetables, and threatening Iranians with sanctions are not a practical approach to the nuclear issue'.

"One should not focus on the deadline too much ... what matters is that we get a clear answer quickly, it's not a matter of one day," said the EU official on Saturday speaking on condition of anonymity.

The EU diplomat added that an answer might be coming on Monday, mentioning that the P5+1 group did not really expect an answer over the weekend deadline.

The West has so far imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program and has repeatedly threatened Tehran with tougher sanctions and a military strike should the country continue uranium enrichment.

Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) it is entitled to uranium enrichment and maintains that diplomacy is the only effective measure in resolving its nuclear standoff.

CS/HGH