Iran defends its atomic reply as positive - agency

TEHRAN, Aug 24 (Reuters) Iran today defended asb ''positive'' its reply to proposals by six world powers to defuse its nuclear standoff with the West, after the United States and Germany voiced displeasure at Tehran's response.

''Iran has given its answer to the offer with a positive view and on the date it said it would submit its answer. We have paid attention to the whole offer with a view to solving all the issues,'' chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told the official IRNA news agency, repeating a call for ''serious talks''.

The United States and Germany, two of the six states behind the offer, have expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's response to an offer of trade and technology incentives to stop nuclear work the West fears is a prelude to building atomic weapons.

Iran's reply has not been made public but German ChancellorAngela Merkel said today: ''We cannot be satisfied with it.

What we expected is not stated there, namely: 'We will suspend our uranium enrichment and come to the negotiating table'.'' Iran says it has the right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Western diplomats say it cannot enjoy that right until it proves its atomic work is peaceful.

''In our answer, we have answered seriously and fairly to all those offers, including the rights and responsibilities in the framework of the NPT,'' Larijani said.

''In addition, in the field of long-term technical cooperation and Europe's energy supply security, Iran has given its answer with a positive and logical view.'' The incentives included the offer of an energy partnership between Iran, the world's fourth largest oil exporter, and the European Union, as well as other willing partners.

''In another part of the reply, Iran has also paid attention to the issue of regional security, which the (six powers) are interested in,'' Larijani said.

''Iran, considering the sensitive situation of the region, is ready to help the establishment of a permanent peace,'' he added, without elaborating.

The UN Security Council says Iran has until August 31 to stop nuclear work or face possible sanctions.

REUTERS PB PC2314