Iran Rejects Potential European Incentives
Iran’s president today rejected Europe’s plan to offer incentives for Tehran to give up its nuclear research program, despite word from diplomats that the package would include new assistance in building a light-water nuclear reactor for civilian use.”They say they want to give us incentives!” President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared to a crowd in the central Iranian city of Arak, news services reported. “Do you think you are dealing with a four year old child to whom you can give some walnuts and chocolates and get gold from him?”
The offer to help with a light-water reactor, which could not easily be used to make weapons, is part of a new package of incentives the Europeans are assembling in one more attempt to salvage their negotiations with Iran, according to European and American diplomats. The package is also to contain threats of economic punishments if Iran does not cooperate.
Not surprising, but not encouraging either.
