AFP: The under-secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Nahavandian on Thursday said his country was ready to cooperate on its nuclear programme, but argued that talks should focus on content rather than deadlines. ATHENS, Aug 31, 2006 (AFP) – The under-secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Nahavandian on Thursday said his country was ready to cooperate on its nuclear programme, but argued that talks should focus on content rather than deadlines.
“Instead of being so sensitive on date and deadlines we have to be focusing on the content and see (the) possibility of cooperation which can only come out of productive negotiations,” Nahavandian told reporters after meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis here.
He said Iran had announced that it was ready “anywhere” to immediately start “that kind of productive negotiation.”
“When there is a good chance of cooperation there is no need of confrontation,” Nahavandian said.
The Iranian official arrived in Greece — which on Friday assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council — as Tehran announced that it would not cede “an inch” in its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would not buckle in the face of mounting pressure, hours before the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog was set to declare Tehran in defiance of the Security Council.
“Iran will not back down an inch in the face of intimidation, aggression and will not accept being deprived of its rights, ” Ahmadinejad said in a speech in northwestern Iran Thursday.
