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Ayatollah dismisses nuclear talks

The religious leader reflects the opinion of hard-liners in Iran that it should reject incentives to curb its nuclear program.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 28, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran - Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that Iran does not need negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, apparently seeking to reassure hard-liners the country will not cave in as it considers a key Western incentives package.

Khamenei, who has the final word on all state matters, did not give his position on the proposals aimed at persuading Iran to impose a long-term moratorium on enriching uranium.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said that Khamenei's remarks were "ambiguous" and that the Bush administration has heard varying responses from different quarters in Iran. He said Washington expects a formal response from Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, to European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

"We're waiting for a consistent, official response," Snow said.

Iran received the proposals June 6, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the government will not respond officially until at least mid August.

The long period of deliberations suggests internal divisions within Iran's leadership over the proposals.

Hard-liners in Iran's cleric-run leadership have called on the government to reject the proposals and have painted any agreement to talks with Washington as a surrender.

Khamenei's remarks could be aimed at assuaging their fears by showing that talks with the United States are not a major lure for the government and that negotiations with the West will not mean giving up enrichment.

"Negotiations with the United States would have no benefit for us, and we do not need them," state television quoted Khamenei as telling visiting Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. He said Iran was willing to hold talks on its own terms.

"We do not negotiate with anybody on achieving and exploiting nuclear technology," Khamenei said. "But if they recognize our nuclear rights, we are ready to negotiate about controls, supervisions and international guarantees."

Plan to share nuclear technology with India moves ahead

WASHINGTON - A House panel endorsed a Bush administration plan on Tuesday to share civilian nuclear technology with India, a first step toward approval of the unprecedented deal.

Supporters called it a defining moment in U.S. relations with India, which is emerging as a pivotal Asian ally and economic partner.

But Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, said passage of the plan would open the door to a host of countries to press claims for similar nuclear cooperation, including South Korea, Japan, Iran and North Korea.

The 37-5 vote in the House International Relations Committee was for legislation to exempt India from U.S. laws that restrict nuclear trade with countries that have not submitted to full nuclear inspections.

[Last modified June 28, 2006, 01:59:14]