Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants to Resume Nuclear Talks with European Union

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, center, smiles as he leaving the meeting hall after he is greeted by his Malaysia’s counterpart Syed Hamid Albar, left, following the closing ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Tuesday, May 30, 2006. The Non-Aligned Movement, the world’s biggest bloc after the United Nations, emphatically backed Iran Tuesday in its nuclear standoff with the United States, and condemned Israel for occupying Palestinian lands.

ASSociated Press: Iran says it wants to resume EU talks

Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday that Tehran is ready to restart negotiations with the European Union on its nuclear program, but he ruled out direct talks with the United States.

“I announce that Iran is ready to respond positively to the call” made by the Nonaligned Movement “for resuming the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear issue without any preconditions,” Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters.

“Accordingly, I would announce our readiness to restart immediately the negotiations with the EU Three to resolve the issues,” he said, referring to Britain, France and Germany.

The announcement raised hopes that Iran would react positively to a planned package of incentives meant to convince it to abandon uranium enrichment. The package has been put together by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.

But, will Iran immediately halt their uranium enrichment program?

This is the pre-condition for any further negotiations.

The package was to be presented to Tehran by France, Britain and Germany â€” the nations that broke off talks with Iran in August 2005 after it resumed activities linked to uranium enrichment.

But, Iran declines direct engagement with the United States.

“Because of the bad temperament of the Americans, for the time being we have suspended direct talks (with the U.S). After changing of the behavior we may consider again,” said Mottaki, who was in Malaysia to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Nonaligned Movement, which ended Tuesday.

The United States WILL NOT negotiate with Iran unless the IAEA has verified that all uranium enrichment has been stopped.

Flap is doubtful that Iran will ever allow the IAEA to make unfettered inspections of their nuclear facilities again.

Stay tuned for Thursday’s meeting of Big 6 foreign ministers.

A meeting of the European foreign ministers, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was set for Thursday in Vienna, said the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were disclosing confidential information.