Iran needs 'stop button' on nuclear program -Rice

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded to Iran's declaration that it had no ''reverse gear'' on its nuclear program by saying today that what Iran needed to do was halt weapons-related activities.

Rice said if Tehran did so, the United States was prepared to discussed trade and political issues, and she would be willing to meet her Iranian counterpart.

''They don't need a reverse gear. They need a stop button,'' Rice said on ''Fox News Sunday.'' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that Iran had obtained the technology to produce nuclear fuel and its program was now like a train ''which has no brake and no reverse gear.'' The United States accuses Iran of wanting to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran says it is only seeking nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Last week, Iran ignored a US deadline to halt uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make fuel for power plants or nuclear warheads.

Rice said if Iran were to stop its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, ''we can sit down and talk about whatever is on Iran's mind.'' ''I am prepared to meet my counterpart or the Iranian representative at any time, if Iran will suspend its enrichment and reprocessing activities. That should be a clear signal,'' she said.

REUTERS SAM RK2040