Rice would meet with Iranians if uranium enrichment stops
Iran-USA, Politics, 2/21/2007

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today said Iran could pave the way for direct talks, if Tehran halts its nuclear enrichment program.

Talking a at joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, Rice said Tehran had not acceded to the demands of the international community.

The US would consult its partners to assess the situation, she added ahead of Wednesday night's UN Security Council deadline for Iran to suspend the enrichment program.

Rice made clear that if Iran stops its uranium enrichment she would meet with her Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki "anywhere he wants."

The US official's remarks followed repeated statements by Tehran, stressing the peaceful nature of its civilian nuclear program.

As a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has complied with rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and opened its nuclear facilities to inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog.

In response to a question on Rice's readiness to hold talks with her Iranian counterpart in case Iran suspends enrichment, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said "The precondition is unacceptable."

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