 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's offer of talks on its nuclear programme while continuing uranium enrichment is "totally unacceptable," France's foreign minister said Sunday."(Ahmadinejad) says that he will simply no longer put material into the centrifuges, but that absolutely does not correspond to the demands of the UN Security Council," of which France is a permanent member, Philippe Douste-Blazy told a French radio station.| You've got Dinnerjacket's attention, now go in for the kill! |
"Such a move would not even be a real pause, neither would it be a measure of confidence because in keeping the centrifuges turning the Iranians will obtain lots of information essential to advancing their banned nuclear programme leading to a nuclear capability which would not be for peaceful means," he said. "This is unacceptable."| Right between the eyes. Good shot, M. le Foreign Minister. |
Ahmadinejad on Sunday said Iran was ready to negotiate with the West over its nuclear programme but would not give in to the key demand that it suspends uranium enrichment. "If you are willing to negotiate why do you insist on a suspension?" Ahmadinejad asked the West in a speech to a mass rally in Tehran marking the 28th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.Iran says that uranium enrichment is to supply its civilian nuclear energy programme but the United States believes it will be used to make atomic weapons. The UN Security Council in December reluctantly imposed sanctions against Iran which is facing a deadline to halt uranium enrichment by February 21. |