Iran tells West not to miss chance to solve atomic row

TEHRAN, Oct 5 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the West today to solve a nuclear standoff through talks but reiterated that Iran would not give up its atomic plans.

European Union foreign policy chief has tried to coax Iran to meet a UN demand to halt uranium enrichment. Despite four months of intense talks, Solana said yesterday Iran had made not commitment to suspend the sensitive atomic work.

Solana said Iran was moving close to triggering sanctions.

''We are in favour of talks. We are in favour of negotiations, peace and reaching an understanding but in the framework of law, regulations and justice,'' Ahmadinejad told a rally, broadcast on state television.

''Fortunately, some European countries want talks and we hope they appreciate this opportunity given to them by the Iranian nation to change their behaviour of the past 27 years.

''I hope that they appreciate this opportunity, but there are some powers that we are not optimistic that they will return to the right path -- those powers that have created bloodshed in Iraq and Palestine and other parts of the world.'' The president was making an apparent reference to the United States and Britain, who he has often accused of being behind the world's problems.

The president also said Iran would resist pressure to halt its atomic work.

''Either in the nuclear issue or other issues, the Iranian nation will resist by relying on its young and its beliefs,'' he said.

The president is not Iran's most powerful figure. Under Iran's system of clerical rule, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the last word. He has previously said Iran would not submit to pressure and would press ahead with atomic plans.

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