Bush, Putin says concerned Iran has not responded

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, July 17: US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin today expressed concern at Iran's refusal to respond to an incentives offer aimed at ending Tehran's nuclear programme.

In a joint statement, the two presidents said they were especially concerned ''by the failure of the Iranian government to engage seriously on the proposal'' made by the UN Security Council's five permanent members plus Germany.

They also said they were seriously concerned by North Korea's recent missile launches and called on Pyongyang to return to six-party talks on its nuclear weapons programme.

REUTERS