“Generous offer rejected” by Iran, says Bush - but they didn’t.
The EU presented a new set of proposals to Iran, and Bush immediately “accused” Iran of rejecting them them out of hand reports the New York Times. Bush was wrong: “Tehran did not formally reject the offer”, and though the US fully expected the offer to be rejected, Bush expressed disappointment while others saw a greater openness in Tehran to broad discussions. Iran gave the EU it own proposals for discussions on May 13, which include possible restrictions on its nuclear activities but allow some enrichment.
The New York Times excerpts
President Bush “accused” Iran of rejecting a new set of incentives to stop enriching uranium. “I am disappointed that the leaders rejected this generous offer out of hand,” Bush said.
But then goes on to say:
Tehran did not formally reject the offer…Mr. Mottaki [Iran’s Foreign Minister] said that Iran’s response would depend on how the West responded to Iran’s May 13 proposal calling for international talks on all issues and improved international inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The Iranian proposal includes discussions on a wider range of issues, such as narcotrafficing, Iraq and broader middle-east security.
French President Sarkozy spoke with fiercer language, adding an odd demand of Iran: “If they have nothing to hide, they should show it” - how can one show nothing? He added “Iran has the right like all countries in the world to have civil nuclear power and we are ready to help them,” unlike his opponent at the last election: Segolene Royal wanted to deny Iran nuclear power completely
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