Ahmadinejad Playing for Time as EU Willing to Negotiate Nukes
10:29 Sep 22, '06 / 29 Elul 5766
by Hana Levi Julian
Iran’s president told reporters Thursday that negotiations with the European Union about the status of its uranium enrichment program were “on the right path” but said little else.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a news conference in New York that the talks were moving in the right direction. “It is a constructive path to take,” he said, and expressed the hope that “others will not disrupt the work.”
However, Ahmadinjead was not specific about when the Islamic Republic would actually suspend the program, despite his statement that he was prepared to negotiate “under fair and just conditions.”
U.S. President George W. Bush remained skeptical about Iran’s true intentions, adding that he takes seriously Ahmadinejad’s repeated statements that Israel should be “wiped off the map.”
Bush said in an interview with the CNN news network, "You can't just hope for the best. You've got to assume that the leader, when he says that he would like to destroy Israel, means what he says. If you say, 'Well, gosh, maybe he doesn't mean it,' and you turn out to be wrong, you have not done your duty as a world leader."
Bush has refused to hold direct talks with the Islamic Republic until it actually suspends its uranium enrichment program, saying the U.S. is ready for negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program "only if they verifiably suspended their enrichment program."
If Iran continues with its current nuclear activities, Bush said he is prepared to level sanctions against it. Other nations have expressed their preference to continue diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to end the program.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Bill Clinton disagreed with his successor, contending in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show that the Bush administration should hold direct talks with Iran about its nuclear development efforts.
“If you think you might have trouble with somebody and G-d forbid if you think it could lead to a military confrontation, then there needs to be the maximum amount of contact beforehand,” he added.
Ahmadinejad Playing for Time as EU Willing to Negotiate Nukes
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