Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 14, 2008 Iyyar 9, 5768 | | Israel Time: 12:08 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 14:21 03/05/2008 Major powers offer Iran fresh incentives to halt nuke program By Reuters Tags: Iran, Security council  Major powers agreed on Friday to make a new offer of incentives to Iran to halt its sensitive nuclear work and a European diplomat said helping Tehran develop civil atomic power remained at the heart of the proposal. The offer, whose details have not been made public, is based on a package of economic and political benefits laid out by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany in June 2006 but so far spurned by Iran. "I am glad to say that we have got agreement on an offer that will be made to the government of Iran," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, flanked by senior officials from China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Advertisement "We very much hope that they will recognize the seriousness and the sincerity with which we have approached this issue and that they will respond in a timely manner to the suggestions that we are making," he added. The United States and other Western nations suspect Iran of using its civil nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is to generate electricity so that it can export more of its oil and gas. The incentives offered to Iran in 2006 included civil nuclear cooperation and wider trade in civil aircraft, energy, high technology and agriculture, if Tehran suspended uranium enrichment and negotiated with the six. Uranium enrichment can be used to produce fuel for nuclear reactors or for atomic bombs. The 2006 proposal included recognition of Iran's right to develop civil nuclear energy, a promise to support the building of new, proliferation-resistant light water reactors and guarantees that Iran would have access to fuel. Russia has been the main country to promote the idea of refreshing the June 2006 offer while the United States has made no secret of its skepticism, with U.S. officials saying they saw little reason to expect Iran to change course. The European diplomat said the heart of the previous offer -- helping Iran develop civil nuclear power, including with state-of-the-art technology -- remained. "The central part is maintained. It also contains a series of elements that can make the core more attractive," said the diplomat, who asked not to be named. "It relates to economic issues," the diplomat added, declining to elaborate. Anthony Cordesman of Washington's CSIS think-tank said the civil nuclear offer could be made more financially attractive by selling fuel at lower rates, subsidizing the disposal of spent fuel rods, providing more advanced reactor designs or offering easier credit terms for the sale of reactors. But he doubted this would change Iran's mind. "Iran is not proliferating as a hobby, it sees the development of missiles and nuclear weapons as a critical national interest," he said. The major powers have pursued a two-track approach towards Iran, offering economic and political benefits on the one hand and championing three U.N. Security Council resolutions that imposed sanctions against Iran on the other. "We have always been clear that should be accompanied by an offer to Iran showing the benefits of engagement and cooperation with the international community and our meeting today has been dedicated towards taking the offer that we made in June 2006, reviewing it, and updating it," Miliband said. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said attacking Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear arms was not an option. "We have to do everything we could to avoid finding ourselves faced with the only solution of bombing Iran," he told a news conference through an interpreter. "The only option is to pressure the Iranian government through diplomatic means, economic means and financial means." A senior U.S. official told reporters that the fine print of the new offer, which he described as "updated," was still being worked out but was likely to be finalized within a week. He sought to play down expectations, saying: "What we have been discussing really updates that (2006) package, is based on it, builds on it ... but it is hardly a brand new package." Related articles: Mofaz, at Yale: Iran could have nuke bomb technology this year Ahmadinejad's enemies at home Talking about war with Iran is not necessarily bad Bookmark to del.icio.us   A few good celebs Some of Hollywood's top guns congratulate Israel in a clip played in Times Square. Chosen, shmosen 'Religion is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions,' wrote Albert Einstein.   1.   Will you leave Iran alone , stop being childish 10:17  |  Sam (UK) 03/05/08   2.   As long as Israel has a nuclear arsenal.... 10:32  |  Natallie Durson 03/05/08   3.   Scared of Iran progress 12:41  |  FARID 03/05/08   4.   All Lie 12:43  |  Karim 03/05/08   5.   World Needs to get Tough With Iran - Not Offer Incentives 12:54  |  B`Galil 03/05/08   6.   London Election big news for Israel 13:01  |  Prof David 03/05/08   7.   small stick didn`t work..lets try a big carrot... 13:21  |  Avi 03/05/08   8.   Again we write the year of 1938. 13:32  |  Karl 03/05/08   9.   Natalie: Arabs dont want parity with Israel 13:39  |  Avi 03/05/08   10.   To: Farid 13:48  |  Avi 03/05/08   11.   Karim: I am glad you are reading and surfing the net 13:53  |  Avi 03/05/08   12.   Avi # 9 13:53  |  JJ 03/05/08   13.   To Sam: 13:57  |  Avi 03/05/08   14.   Prof David No relevance to Israel whatsoever. 14:25  |  examiner 03/05/08   15.   durson: Even Arab countries don`t want Iran with nukes. The State 14:35  |  Vittorio 03/05/08   16.   Major Powers can offer Iran...... 14:45  |  Dolly 03/05/08   17.   look at you pro-israelis crapping yourselves 15:03  |  VIPER 03/05/08   18.   The problem is Islamophobia 15:03  |  Bob 03/05/08   19.   To Natallie Durson # 2 - The Nuke Programme,,,,, 15:06  |  Dagma 03/05/08   20.   Irony 15:14  |  Mary 03/05/08   21.   The last line in the sand. 15:57  |  Charles Smyth 03/05/08   22.   Prof David - a non issue 16:28  |  examiner 03/05/08   23.   FARID, the message Iran is sending to the world 16:34  |  Karl 03/05/08   24.   The Munich 38` spirit 16:46  |  Egle strike 03/05/08   25.   Thanks for the info JJ 16:49  |  Avi 03/05/08   26.   Learn To Live With It 16:50  |  Cool B 03/05/08   27.   Obliterate them before 16:50  |  Pugilat 03/05/08   28.   package to what-so-called-israel 16:57  |  Imad 03/05/08   29.   This is an insult to the Iranian people 17:47  |  Yuri 03/05/08   30.   @Prof David: Don`t you worry! 17:49  |  Protected Civilian 03/05/08   31.   #3 Farid 18:14  |  H 03/05/08   32.   Forget about all these silly "incentives", only ONE thing ... 18:58  |  ManintheMIddle 03/05/08   33.   Avi 19:45  |  Momo 03/05/08   34.   Prof David- London election irrelevant! 20:01  |  examiner 03/05/08   35.   incentives 20:02  |  Shmuelshachor 03/05/08   36.   ProfDavid 20:08  |  Londoner 03/05/08   37.   # 16 H 20:33  |  Bob 03/05/08   38.   For Prof David # 6 21:13  |  Clickfool 03/05/08   39.   Europeans never learn 21:46  |  Gog vs. Magog 03/05/08   40.   Amen, #5 B`Galil, Amen!!! 22:54  |  Astasheiks 03/05/08   41.   #5 B`Galil 01:54  |  maoriboy 04/05/08   42.   Nuclear Annihilation 02:00  |  David Samson 04/05/08   43.   They don`t get it. Iran wants to be the rockstar of terrorists. 02:27  |  Chaim 04/05/08   44.   3 Farid,well said! Iran is a sovereign country and its nuclear 02:38  |  lakshmi 04/05/08   45.   Pugalit remember WW1 02:52  |  Truth 04/05/08   46.   Intelligent questions for dumb people 04:06  |  Ahmed 04/05/08   47.   The main incentive is that Israel accepts the 1967 borders 05:01  |  Aounist 05/05/08   48.   nuclear responses by the representatives 10:18  |  Amir 14/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: We owe the Palestinians a state Responses: 57 Editorial: Israel should go along with Egyptian efforts for Gaza calm Responses: 9 Akiva Eldar: Plan puts synagogue in heart of Arab East J'lem Responses: 3 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range Responses: 21 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is trying to change the world, for the good Responses: 5 Rosner's Domain "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Not winning the war on terror (WTR) Interview with Bush: the transcript Rosner's Guest: The Jewish story in 6 words Obama: Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea (WTR) More Headlines 12:07 Bush, at BG airport: The Israeli people are our close friends 12:07 Palestinians: IDF kills two militants, two civilians in Gaza 07:35 Israel to transfer security in Jenin area to Palestinians 11:44 As fighting flares up, Lebanese cannabis growers expect a bumper crop 10:14 Shas official says gov't to okay hundreds of homes in W. Bank 11:33 Hamas delegation to Egypt next week to discuss Gaza truce 10:51 Forty families leaving Kibbutz Kfar Aza after member killed 09:51 Two Israelis found in China; 3 still missing since Mon. quake 09:58 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range 07:32 Police quiz U.S. tycoon Sheldon Adelson as part of Olmert probe 06:15 Mazuz asked to explain plan for synagogue in East J`lem 03:15 MK Orlev wants to end former MK Bishara's retirement payments Previous Editions Select Day 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved