December 12, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 1, 1428

TEHRAN, Dec 11: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi-nejad said on Tuesday that the publication of a US intelligence report saying that Iran had halted a nuclear weapons programme in 2003 was “positive”, and urged Washington to take more steps to end years of disputes.

But he also told the United States and other world powers that imposing more sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme would have no legal basis. Iran would not stop its atomic work, he reiterated.

Mr Ahmadinejad told a rally last week that the publication of the US National Intelligence Estimate, which said Iran halted a nuclear weapons programme in 2003, was a “victory” for Iran.

His comments on Tuesday were more measured and came before more talks between US and Iranian officials in Baghdad, expected in December, to discuss Iraqi security.

“We evaluate this (report) as a positive step, and a step forward and if they take one or two more steps, the situation will be totally different ... the road will be paved for resolving regional and international issues,” he said.

—Reuters