Iran rejects EU nuclear compromise
"Iran rejected on Saturday the European Union's offer of incentives in return for a suspension of its nuclear fuel work, paving the way for a confrontation that could lead to U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
The EU said its proposals aimed to allow Iran access to nuclear technology, but block work that could help make an atomic bomb. If Tehran resumed nuclear work, the EU said it would back U.S. calls to refer Iran to the U.N. for sanctions.
'The proposals are unacceptable and we reject them,' senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian told Reuters.
Washington accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop a nuclear arsenal, but Tehran denies the charge and says its right to convert and enrich uranium for nuclear power stations is recognised by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
New Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not specifically mention the nuclear issue as he was sworn in on Saturday, but said: 'We are logical and respect international rules, but will not give in to those who want to violate our rights ... The Iranian nation cannot be intimidated.'
The EU -- represented by the 'EU3' of Britain, France and Germany -- has been working to find a compromise between Iran and the United States since Tehran's nuclear programme was exposed in late 2002 after 18 years of work carried out in secrecy."
The EU said its proposals aimed to allow Iran access to nuclear technology, but block work that could help make an atomic bomb. If Tehran resumed nuclear work, the EU said it would back U.S. calls to refer Iran to the U.N. for sanctions.
'The proposals are unacceptable and we reject them,' senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian told Reuters.
Washington accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop a nuclear arsenal, but Tehran denies the charge and says its right to convert and enrich uranium for nuclear power stations is recognised by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
New Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not specifically mention the nuclear issue as he was sworn in on Saturday, but said: 'We are logical and respect international rules, but will not give in to those who want to violate our rights ... The Iranian nation cannot be intimidated.'
The EU -- represented by the 'EU3' of Britain, France and Germany -- has been working to find a compromise between Iran and the United States since Tehran's nuclear programme was exposed in late 2002 after 18 years of work carried out in secrecy."
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