European negotiators on Friday presented Iran with their proposal for easing the standoff over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, France's Foreign Ministry said. A ministry spokeswoman declined to give details of the offer submitted by France, Germany and Britain, saying officials want to give Iran time to consider it.
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said he considered the proposals "ambitious and generous." "I hope that Iran will hear the voice of reason and that it will take the path of negotiation and dialogue, and that it will not move toward a resumption of nuclear activities," he told Europe-1 radio. The Europeans have said they are offering scientific, technological and trade cooperation in exchange for Iran resolving concerns that its nuclear program is aimed at producing weapons.
In Tehran, interim Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said in his second sermon on Friday, "As we had said from the very beginning, Europe has not been truthful in (nuclear) negotiations (with Iran) from scratch."
He pointed out, "Europe has never been frank in dealing with Eastern countries, since it regards itself as the master, and the East as its servant."
According to Irna, Jannati reiterated, "It was clear from the very beginning that Iran's negotiations with EU3 (England, Germany and France) would lead nowhere and if the Islamic Republic of Iran yielded to holding talks with them it was aimed at not letting them say that Iran does not cooperate, and has nothing logical to say."
