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BAGHDAD – Iranian negotiators on Thursday rejected proposals by six worldpowers to curb Tehran's nuclear program, and demanded answers totheir own counteroffer meant to alleviate concerns about theIslamic Republic's ability to build atomic weapons. The stance underscored the difficulties facing the nuclear talks asboth sides stake out their terms and agendas for a second day inthe Iraqi capital. Still, the negotiations did not appear in dangerof collapse. Envoys added extra hours to their meetings as asandstorm closed down the Baghdad airport. Proposals for another round next month in Geneva also met withresistance from Iran, which is pushing for a venue not consideredsupportive of Western sanctions. Talks were expected to wrap uplater Thursday. The open channels between Iran and the six-nation bloc — thefive permanent Security Council members plus Germany — areseen as the most hopeful chances of outreach between Washington andTehran in years. They also could push back threats of militaryaction that have shaken oil markets and brought worries oftriggering a wider Middle East conflict. Israeli leaders have been critical of the talks, claiming it allowsIran to buy time and drive a wedge between Washington andJerusalem. On Wednesday, Israel's defense minister Ehud Barak said evenpossible moves by Iran to open its nuclear facilities to greaterU.N. inspect doesn't rule out a possible Israeli military strike. Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, demanded an overhaulto the plan put forward by the world powers after the Baghdad talksbegan Wednesday. An Iranian diplomat involved in the discussionssaid the package falls far short of a compromise. Iran went into the talks seeking that the West scale back on itssanctions, which have targeted Iran's critical oil exports and haveeffectively blackballed the country from international bankingnetworks. Jalili conveyed his concerns in a private meeting Thursday withEuropean Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who isformally leading the talks. Ashton's spokesman, Mike Mann, called the negotiations "tough," butsaid that "some progress was made." At the heart of the issue are two different proposals. On one sideis an incentive package by the six-nation group — the UnitedStates, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — thatseeks to halt the most sensitive part of Iran's nuclear fuelproduction. Iran, in turn, wants the U.S. and Europe to ease harsh economicsanctions on its oil exports in return for pledges to give wideraccess to U.N. inspectors and other concessions. The West and its allies fear Iran's nuclear program couldeventually produce atomic weapons. Iran insists its reactors areonly for energy and research. A senior U.S. official predicted the pace of the talks —which began last month in Istanbul — would speed up inupcoming rounds. "We are urgent about it, because every day we don't figure this outis a day they keep going forward with a nuclear program," said theU.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss thenegotiations more candidly. "And there are all kinds of assessmentsabout how long it will take them to get there." "We still think we have some time for diplomacy, but it's notindefinite," the official said. Iranian analyst Hassan Abedini called the proposal put forward bythe U.S. and its allies unbalanced and filled only with old plansthat Tehran dismissed years ago. The Western package calls on Tehran to halt the production of 20percent enriched uranium, which is the highest grade publiclyannounced by Iran and used for the country's lone medical researchreactor. Western leaders fear the material — far above the3.5 percent enrichment needed for energy-producing reactors —can be turned into warhead grade in a matter of months. In exchange, the world powers offered benefits, including medicalisotopes, some nuclear safety cooperation and spare parts forcivilian airliners that are needed in Iran. But they snubbed Iranian calls for an immediate easing ofsignificant economic sanctions imposed on Tehran for flouting U.N.Security Council resolutions that demand the suspension of allenrichment. "Giving up 20 percent enrichment levels in return for plane spareparts is a joke," said Abedini. "The package is unbalanced andtherefore unacceptable.". I am an expert from mens-woolsocks.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Angora Wool Socks , China knitted leg warmers, Cotton Wool Socks,and more.
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