European, Iranian envoys to meet again
By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer
MADRID, Spain - Top envoys for Iran and the European Union ended talks Thursday with little indication they were closer to resolving a deadlock over Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, but they agreed to meet again in two weeks.
"Sometimes we are not able to move the process as we like, but in any case, the atmosphere continues to be very positive," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana after meeting with Ali Larijani, Iran's ranking nuclear negotiator.
Solana's comment appeared to be tacit acknowledgment that Iran refused to give way on international demands it suspend enrichment or face further U.N. Security Council sanctions.
In Vienna, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Tehran to heed the U.N. Security Council and freeze enrichment, saying Washington was ready for wide-ranging discussions if it complied.
"I think it's time for Iran to change its tactics," Rice told reporters in the Austrian capital, outside a conference on the role of women in the Middle East. If Iran does so, she said, "then we are prepared to ... sit with Iran and talk about whatever Iran would like to talk about.
"But that can't be done when Iran continues to pursue, to try to perfect technologies that are going to lead to a nuclear weapon," Rice said, alluding to the U.S. assertion that Tehran is seeking the cover of a peaceful nuclear program to make such arms.
MADRID, Spain - Top envoys for Iran and the European Union ended talks Thursday with little indication they were closer to resolving a deadlock over Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, but they agreed to meet again in two weeks.
"Sometimes we are not able to move the process as we like, but in any case, the atmosphere continues to be very positive," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana after meeting with Ali Larijani, Iran's ranking nuclear negotiator.
Solana's comment appeared to be tacit acknowledgment that Iran refused to give way on international demands it suspend enrichment or face further U.N. Security Council sanctions.
In Vienna, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Tehran to heed the U.N. Security Council and freeze enrichment, saying Washington was ready for wide-ranging discussions if it complied.
"I think it's time for Iran to change its tactics," Rice told reporters in the Austrian capital, outside a conference on the role of women in the Middle East. If Iran does so, she said, "then we are prepared to ... sit with Iran and talk about whatever Iran would like to talk about.
"But that can't be done when Iran continues to pursue, to try to perfect technologies that are going to lead to a nuclear weapon," Rice said, alluding to the U.S. assertion that Tehran is seeking the cover of a peaceful nuclear program to make such arms.
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