Rice open to talks if Iran suspends nuclear work

Condoleezza Rice

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today Iran must suspend its nuclear activities before the West would open negotiations, but she left open the possibility of talking during a temporary suspension by Tehran.

"The point is there would have to be a suspension. If there is a suspension, we can have discussions but there has to be a suspension and, as far as I know, the Iranians have not yet said that they would suspend prior to negotiations," Rice told reporters as she flew to Canada.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani said they had made progress in weekend talks to explore a basis for formal negotiations to end a stalemate over Tehran's pursuit of technology that could yield atom bombs.

An EU diplomat said Larijani offered a two-month enrichment freeze during seven hours of discussions with Solana in Vienna that both sides described as constructive.

Asked about the offer of a two-month freeze, Rice appeared to leave open the door to starting talks during a temporary suspension of Iran's nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities.

"First of all, it's suspension, verified suspension, that's the condition. Secondly, it's suspension for suspension," she said, meaning that if the Iranians froze their programme, the United States would be ready to hold off on UN sanctions.

"As to time limitations, I don't - I haven't heard any Iranian offer so I don't know what to make of that but the question is: are they prepared to suspend, verifiably, so that negotiations can begin. That's the issue."

But Rice pledged to press to isolate Iran if the arrangements fell through.

"I am quite certain ... if this does not work out that you are going to see sanctions and that those will be commensurate with Iranian behaviour," she said.

Rice added that several UN Security Council resolutions might be needed to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

"I wouldn't suspect that everything is going to be in Resolution Number One, but I do think you will see in Resolution Number One an important signal to the Iranians that they are now under ... not just scrutiny but international pressure and indeed international isolation."

- REUTERS