0
TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday Iran would not discuss the nuclear issue in proposed talks with major powers, state television reported.
His comments will likely further deepen Western scepticism about the chances of a negotiated solution to the long-running stalemate over Iran's nuclear programme, which the United States and its European allies fear is a cover to build bombs.
“We have repeatedly said that our (nuclear) rights are not negotiable...we only hold talks to resolve international problems...to help the establishment of peace,” Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech in central town of Qazvin.
Western diplomats have made clear they want Iran to address their concerns about its nuclear programme in talks that the United States, France, Russia, Britain, Germany and China have offered Tehran later this month.
In a letter dated November 9 and seen by Reuters, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, told European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton that he was ready to meet in Istanbul on November 23 or December 5.
A spokesman for Ashton confirmed the letter and said she would be discussing it with the six world powers, who have given her a mandate to hold talks with Jalili.
Ahmadinejad said Iran had always been in favour of talks held on a rational and logical basis.
“But the Iranian nation will not let anyone to violate its rights...they should clearly announce their views about some international issues,” Ahmadinejad said, referring to the major powers.
Ahmadinejad had listed conditions for any nuclear talks, including that the parties state their opinion on the reputed nuclear arsenal of Israel.
