Powers to Offer Iran Economic Incentives

I don't think these diplomats understand that Iran is determined to obtain nuclear power no matter what. AFP

BRUSSELS (AFP) — EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana flew off to Tehran Friday, hoping to convince Iranian leaders to suspend the country's nuclear programme in exchange for enhanced cooperation from the major powers.

Solana, due to arrive in the Iranian capital later in the day, will on Saturday resume his frustrating two-year long efforts, meeting Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Saeed Jalili, Iran chief negotiator on the nuclear dossier.

"I am travelling to Tehran to present a generous and comprehensive offer," Solana said before setting off.

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For the first time Solana will bring with him a "policy" letter signed by the foreign ministers of all six powers.

In it the ministers declare themselves "convinced that it is possible to change the present state of affairs," on Iran's intransigence over the nuclear issue and "hope that Iran's leaders share the same ambition," according to a section of the letter seen by AFP.

The letter accompanies an offer of cooperation with Iran on several fronts, a "refreshed" version of an offer initially presented by Solana in June 2006 which Tehran rejected.

The new offer "has been structured a bit differently, but the substance could not be changed because it is already very strong," a European diplomat said. "We can't go too far."

In their offer, the six major powers "recognise Iran's right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, purposes in conformity with non-proliferation treaty (NPT) obligations."

The powers offered in 2006 to help Iran develop "more modern" technologies and to supply Tehran with enriched uranium for civil purposes.