Solana Promises 'Bold' EU Offer To Iran

Javier Solana (file photo) (AFP) May 15, 2006 -- European Union foreign ministers are meeting today in Brussels to discuss how to persuade Iran to bring its nuclear program in line with international demands.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, EU High Representative for the Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said this morning the EU was preparing a "bold" offer for Iran, including economic, nuclear, and perhaps security guarantees, to try to curb Tehran's atomic ambitions.

The ministers are expected to discuss an expanded package of civilian nuclear technology and political incentives that would be offered to Tehran in exchange for a halt of Iranian efforts to enrich uranium.

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad reiterated on May 14 that Iran would reject any foreign demands to stop what he called Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

(compiled from agency reports)

Ahmadinejad's Letter To Bush

Ahmadinejad's Letter To Bush

(Fars)

PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT: On May 8, the Iranian government announced that President Mahmud Ahmadinejad had sent a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush. The letter was the first direct communication between leaders of the two countries since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. RFE/RL has posted the English version of Ahmadinejad's letter that was posted on the Iranian president's website.
"The people will scrutinize our presidencies," AHMADINEJAD wrote. "Did we manage to bring peace, security, and prosperity to our people or insecurity and unemployment? Did we intend to establish justice, or just support special-interest groups and -- by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship -- make a few people rich and powerful, -- thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty for [that of those few]? Did we bring the world peace and security or did we raise the specter of intimidation and threats?"...(more)


ARCHIVE

For an archive of RFE/RL's coverage of Iran, click here.


THE COMPLETE PICTURE: RFE/RL's complete coverage of controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.


CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of Iran's nuclear program.