WORLD> Middle East
Bush criticizes Iran decision on nuclear program
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-14 21:58

Paris -- US President George W. Bush expressed disappointment on Saturday over Iran's rejection of an offer of incentives for suspending uranium enrichment activities.

"I'm disappointed that the leaders (of Iran) rejected this generous offer out of hand," Bush told a joint press conference with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy after talks.

"It's an indication to the Iranian people that their leadership is willing to isolate them further," he added.

European Union top diplomat Javier Solana is in Tehran to present to the Iranian leaders an updated package of economic, technological and political incentives for the exchange of suspension of uranium enrichment activities.

But Iran has rejected the offer, which was agreed last month by the five UN Security Council permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany.

Iran's government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham said Saturday that his country would reject any nuclear deal offered by major world powers that demands a suspension of its uranium enrichment.

"Iran's stance is clear. The precondition of a halt and suspension of nuclear activities cannot be brought up," Elham said. "If it exists (a demand for a suspension of enrichment), it cannot be considered at all...if the issue of suspension is relied upon, the (nuclear) issue will not change."

He said that Iran would make its decision on the package "after a precise examination".

The new package of incentives is a revised version offered to Tehran in 2006 with mainly cosmetic changes, while the threat of further sanctions remains if Iran refuses to halt uranium enrichment activities.

Iran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, saying nothing could make it halt enrichment.

The West fear Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Sarkozy echoed Bush by saying that the Iranian people "deserve better than the impasse into which some of their leaders are leading them."

Bush also warned Syrian President Bashar Assad not to work with the Iranians, saying that "my message would be 'Stop fooling around with the Iranians and stop harboring terrorists'".

He said Syria should play a constructive role in the Middle East to help push for a Palestinian state and urge the Islamic militant group Hamas to stop terror attacks "for the sake of peace."

Commenting on the likely failure of a long-term agreement between the United States and Iraq, Bush said that the deal would not commit future US presidents to any troop levels in Iraq and would not establish permanent US bases.

"If I were a betting man, we'll reach an agreement with the Iraqis," Bush said.

"Of course, we're there at their invitation. It's a sovereign nation ... We're going to work hard to accommodate their desires. It's their country," he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Friday that talks with the United States on the deal were stalled as Sunni and Shiite preachers opposed a plan to allow the US troops to remain in Iraq after this year.

Failure to forge a deal, which would provide a legal basis for the presence of the US forces in Iraq after a UN mandate expires by the end of the year, would be a setback for Bush before leaving office.

On the Middle East, Bush envisioned a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians within the year.

"Our job is ... to keep the process moving, so I'm optimistic," he said, adding that "I understand how difficult it is."