EU urges early Iran response on nuclear incentives

BRUSSELS, June 16 (Reuters) European leaders urged Iran today to give an early response to a incentive package aimed at keeping its nuclear programme peaceful.

Speaking in Beijing, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed the proposal as a positive step but gave no sign when an answer would come.

''The European Council urges Iran to give an early positive response to this far-reaching initiative and to create the conditions whereby negotiations can resume,'' EU leaders said in the conclusions of a summit in Brussels.

Western countries suspect a nuclear programme Iran describes as totally peaceful is a front for producing nuclear weapons.

Under an offer from six major powers, presented by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Iran would get trade and technology benefits if it halts enrichment work for a period possibly lasting years.

Ahmadinejad said Iran was examining the offer of incentives for it to stop enriching uranium, but warned that it would not be concerned by possible sanctions if it rejected the offer.

Western officials fear Iran may stall a decision past an unofficial July deadline to buy time to perfect enrichment technology and expand the programme to make it a fait accompli.

REUTERS MP PM2101