German FM urges Iran to give clear answer to nuclear offer

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-03 13:52

BERLIN -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier Saturday urged Iran to stop dallying and give a clear answer to a nuclear offer presented by the international community.

"I appealed again to Iran not to play with time any longer and give a usable answer to the proposal we offered," Steinmeier was quoted as saying in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel.

Steinmeier said he expected "a clear signal for a mutual suspension: we would freeze our efforts for sanctions and Iran would suspend development of centrifuges. This is a clear offer that needs a clear reply."

Asked what measures would be taken if Iran continues footdragging, Steinmeier said, "We would have to further raise pressures through sanctions."

An official from the European Union, who declined to give his name, said Saturday that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has not received any reply from the Iranian side, but expected an answer in the coming days after the Aug. 2 deadline.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- France, Britain, Russia, China and the United States -- plus Germany hoped Iran would give a positive response to the package of incentives provided by the six powers within about two weeks since July 19.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran, however, has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.