Iran Ready to Face World Powers:Ahmadinejad

Monday, September 7, 2009 at 3:33 pm

TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday Iran will neither halt uranium enrichment nor negotiate over its nuclear rights but is ready to sit and talk with world powers over “global challenges.”

Iran Ready to Face World Powers:Ahmadinejad also said Iran will present its package of proposals to the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany but rejected any deadline for such talks.

Iranian president didn’t specify what will be up for discussion — or if it would even involve its disputed nuclear program — but vaguely said Iran has prepared a package of proposals that would “identify challenges facing humanity … and resolve global concerns.”

“From our point of view, Iran’s nuclear issue is over. We continue our work within the framework of global regulations and in close interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he said. “We will never negotiate over obvious rights of the Iranian nation.”

President Barack Obama and European allies have given Iran until the end of September to take up an offer of nuclear talks with six world powers and enjoy trade incentives should it suspend uranium enrichment activities. If not, Iran could face harsher punitive sanctions.

“It is very clear that this (setting deadline) is incompatible with today’s needs and directions of the Iranian nation,” Ahmadinejad told a press conference Monday. “Resolving global issues require constructive interaction on the basis of justice and respect.”

“The proposals we have prepared seeks to identify challenges facing humanity and basic directions for a durable solution to those challenges … we are ready, within a logical and just framework, to sit and talk with all those … who can make contribution to reform global affairs,” Ahmadinejad told reporters.

Iran has said the incentives package has some “common ground” with Tehran’s own proposals for a resolution to the standoff.

Ahmadinejad also renewed his offer for a public debate with Obama.

“Once again, I announce that I’m ready for debate and dialogue in front of global media on global issues,” he said.