US says it is serious about Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment
Source: SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT July 21, 2008 WASHINGTON - The United States said on Saturday that it is serious about the call for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment, and hopes the Islamic Republic make right options between nuclear cooperation or confrontation.
"(William) Burns delivered a clear, simple message: ...the United States with its P5+1 partners are serious that Iran must suspend uranium enrichment to have negotiations involving the United States," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.
Burns, undersecretary of the State Department, joined international talks, involving Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany with Iran in Geneva on Saturday in a bid to make Iran suspend sensitive nuclear work. It was the first time when such a high-ranking U.S. official attend a world meeting that included Iranian officials. But Burns did not meet or speak with separately any member of the Iranian delegation, McCormack said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reiterated Friday that Iran must suspend its controversial uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities before the United State begins talks with Iran. "It should be very clear to everyone, the United States has a condition for the beginning of negotiations with Iran, and that condition remains the verifiable suspension of Iran's enrichment and reprocessing activities," Rice said.
The United States accuses Iran of developing secretly nuclear weapons under the cover of civil nuclear program. Iran denies the charges.