Iran: Incentive Package a 'Step Forward'
The Associated Press
Friday, June 16, 2006; 6:42 AM
SHANGHAI, China -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Friday that the six-nation incentive package aimed at getting his country to halt uranium enrichment was a step forward in resolving the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
"Generally speaking, we're regarding this offer as a step forward and I have instructed my colleagues to carefully consider it," Ahmadinejad told reporters after meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of a regional summit in Shanghai.
Ahmadinejad's remark was the highest-level sign that Iran was preparing to negotiate over the package of incentives offered by the Big Five of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany.
MoreUnlike the AP article Reuters adds:
"However any decision on matters of state would rest with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not the president."
I figure we'll eventually drop the language that requires them to halt enrichment while talks are ongoing, they'll allow inspectors in, and then they'll ask for enriched uranium at Crazy Larry's discount prices. I just wish everyone would quit the posturing and get down to the actual haggling. But then it wouldn't be politics would it?
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