Iran's response 

Iran's government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham said on Saturday that the country will reject any nuclear deal offered by major world powers that demands a suspension of its uranium enrichment, while Solana was handing over the new package in a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

"Iran's stance is clear. The precondition of a halt and suspension of nuclear activities cannot be brought up," Mottaki said after receiving the package that Iran's answer to a new offer of trade and other incentives by six major powers will be based on logical and constructive answers to Iran's package.

"We are waiting to receive the precise points of view of the six world powers about our package," he said.

Mottaki's remarks are believed to reflect Iran's displeasure with the failure of the world powers to welcome Iran's proposals.

It shows that Iran has put great emphasis on its own package submitted to the international community last month, saying it is an all-embracing drive to solve world problems, including its nuclear standoff with the West.

Analyst said that it is hard to persuade Iran to drop its nuclear program with political and economic incentives raised by six powers without answering Iran's own package of proposals.

A difficult diplomatic path 

Solana said on Saturday that the incentive offer is "full of opportunities for Iran" and may become the "starting point for real negotiations". But he also noted the six major world powers want Iran to suspend enrichment during negotiations regarding the offer.

Analysts said that both sides' different views on suspension of enrichment will be the main obstacle on a diplomatic path towards proper solutions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently refused to back down over the nuclear program, saying his country would not trade in its dignity.

"They think they can trample on the Iranian nation's dignity with such things," Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying, referring to the incentive offers.

Iran's repeatedly ruling out of suspension of its nuclear activities has aroused new tensions.

US President George W. Bush expressed disappointment on Saturday over Iran's rejection of an offer of incentives for suspending uranium enrichment activities, saying that it was "an indication to the Iranian people that their leadership is willing to isolate them further."

The West even warned Iran of further sanctions, which will make the approach to compromise more difficult.

But both sides on Saturday still agreed to press ahead with efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

"A new diplomatic path has been opened...this will be a basis for fresh nuclear talks," an Iranian official told local media.

Analysts believe the best way to proceed with future talks is to emphasize on common points in the two packages.

Solana said that Iran's package contains suitable commonalities with the package of six major powers that can facilitate the start of a new round of negotiations, While Mottaki expressed Iran's readiness to take part in negotiations in different areas.

It seems that a fresh round of wrangling and haggling over the Iranian nuclear issue just started, analysts say.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2008)