Iran refusing to halt nuclear programme before talks

Iran is prepared to negotiate on its nuclear programme but will not halt uranium enrichment ahead of talks, UN chief Kofi Annan said today after meeting the leader.

Annan’s two-day visit to Tehran comes after Iran ignored a United Nations deadline to halt uranium enrichment by the end of August, opening the door to consideration of sanctions to reinforce Western demands that it puts its nuclear programme on hold.

Following the meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Annan told a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki: “On the nuclear issue, the president reaffirmed to me Iran’s preparedness and commitment to hold negotiations” with Western powers to find a solution to the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear activities.

However, Ahmadinejad “reiterated that he did not accept suspension before negotiations,” the UN chief said conveying Iran’s rejection of a condition set by the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.

Ahmadinejad did not attend the press conference or give any statements. On Saturday – the first day of Annan’s visit – he reiterated that Tehran would continue its nuclear activities.

Iran appeared more responsive to UN concerns regarding Lebanon, where Tehran is a backer of the Hezbollah guerrilla group.

Ahmadinejad “reaffirmed his country’s support for the implementation of resolution 1701,” Annan said of his discussions about the UN resolution on Lebanon that includes measures to prevent the rearming of Hezbollah.

But the UN chief did not disclose the specifics of his talks on the topic with the Iranian president. After meeting Annan yesterday, Mottaki made a vague promise to support the resolution, but did not directly mention Hezbollah.

Annan also reiterated his displeasure over an exhibition in Tehran of cartoons on the Holocaust drawing attention to the outrage among Muslims caused by the publication earlier this year of the Danish cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.

Those comments came just hours after Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran plans to hold a conference this autumn questioning the extent of the Holocaust.

Annan’s meeting with the Iranian president came on the final day of his two-day visit to the Iranian capital on a tour that has included stops in Lebanon, Israel and Syria. He is expected to make stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.