Iran ready to talk but there's a catch

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Thursday welcomed direct talks with Washington but rebuffed a US proposal that Tehran must suspend uranium enrichment as a condition of such talks, state-run television reported.

''Iran welcomes dialogue under just conditions but (we) won't give up our (nuclear) rights,'' the television quoted Mottaki as saying.

Mottaki's words were the country's first direct reaction to a proposal by the United States on Wednesday that it is willing to talk with Iran in international talks, as long as Iran quits enriching uranium.

''We won't negotiate about the Iranian nation’s natural nuclear rights but we are prepared, within a defined, just framework and without any discrimination, hold dialogue about (our) common concerns.''

In a significant shift, the US said on Wednesday it will join other nations in holding direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program if Tehran first agrees to stop disputed nuclear activities that the West fears could lead to a bomb.

''Our message to the Iranians is that one, you won't have a weapon, and two, that you must verifiably suspend any programs at which point we will come to the negotiating table to work on a way forward,'' President Bush said on Wednesday in responding to a reporter's question.

''I thought it was important for the United States to take the lead—along with our partners,'' Bush said. ''And that's what you're seeing. You're seeing robust diplomacy. I believe this problem can be solved diplomatically and I'm going to give it every effort to do so.''

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at the State Department that the United States will come to the negotiating table as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities. She said the United States was taking the move to underscore its commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success.

Mottaki said Iran had no intention to halt its uranium enrichment program.

''There is no evidence proving Iran's diversion (toward nuclear weapons). Therefore, Iran is interested in continuing this path.''