Western diplomats cast doubt about Iran offer for nuclear talks

Feb 16, 2012, 18:48 GMT

Vienna - Western diplomats on Thursday welcomed with caution Iran's offer for nuclear talks with six world powers, casting doubt over its willingness to genuinely address Western concerns that it is seeking an atomic bomb.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton received a letter from Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saedi Jalili this week in which he offered 'new initiatives' in possible talks with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

'It is the usual cryptic Iranian letter,' a European diplomat said in Vienna, the seat of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Ageny (IAEA).

The letter, which was obtained by dpa, said: 'Constructive and positive attitude towards Islamic Republic of Iran's new initiatives in this round of talks could open positive perspective for our negotiation.' It did not spell out Tehran's new proposals.

The diplomat, who requested anonymity, said that the main challenge was whether Iran would be willing to address Western concerns that its nuclear programme has a military dimension.

Another Western diplomat said the six powers had been looking for a 'signal that Iran is really committed to talks,' which he said was lacking in the letter sent to Ashton.

Iran reiterated in its letter that 'we voice our readiness for dialogue on a spectrum of issues which can provide ground for constructive and forward looking cooperation.'

The Western diplomat said it might be hard for the six powers to reject Iran's offer for talks given rising tensions in the nuclear standoff.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for the talks to start on Wednesday.

The sides failed to make progress in talks held in Istanbul last year. Western officials accused Iran of footdragging during the talks to buy more time to pursue its nuclear activities while avoiding sanctions.