US signals willingness to join talks with Iran

Washington, June 1: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a major policy shift, said today that Washington was willing to join multilateral talks with Iran if Tehran verifiably suspended its nuclear enrichment program.

The US move, aimed at halting what Washington fears is an Iranian program to develop atomic weapons, could bring about the most substantial contact between the two governments since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when students took over the U.S.

Embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

The following are excerpts from Rice's address announcing the U.S. decision.

''The Iranian government's choices are clear. The negative choice is for the regime to maintain its current course, pursuing nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community and its international obligations. If the regime does so, it will incur only great costs.'' ''The positive and constructive choice is for the Iranian regime to alter its present course and cooperate in resolving the nuclear issue, beginning by immediately resuming suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, as well as full cooperation with the IAEA and returning to implementation of the Additional Protocol providing greater access for the IAEA.''

''To underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance the prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table with our EU-3 colleagues and meet with Iran's representatives.'' ''The nuclear issue is not the only obstacle standing in the way of improved relations. The Iranian government supports terror, is involved in violence in Iraq and is undercutting the restoration of full sovereignty in Lebanon under UN Security Council Resolution 1559. These policies are out of step with the international community and are barriers to a positive relationship between the Iranian people and the people of the United States and the rest of the world.''

''Iran can and should be a responsible state, not the leading state sponsor of terror. The United States is ready to join the EU-3 to press these and other issues with the Iranian government in addition to our work to resolve the nuclear danger. At the same time, we will continue to work with our international partners to end the proliferation trade globally, to bar all proliferators from international financial resources and to end support for terror.''

''President Bush wants a new and positive relationship between the American people and the people of Iran -- a beneficial relationship of increased contacts in education, cultural exchange, sports, travel, trade, and investment.''

Reuters

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