France Rejects Iran Talks Request

Iran NuclearNASSER KARIMI

Wednesday, January 18, 2006, TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – France rejected Iran’s request for more talks on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program, saying Wednesday that Tehran first must suspend its atomic activities. Iran asked for a ministerial-level meeting, but its decision to resume some activities "means that it is not possible for us to meet under satisfactory conditions to pursue these discussions," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said in Paris.
 

Simonneau’s comments came after Iran’s foreign minister told state radio the nation’s chances of being referred to the U.N. Security Council were slim.  

Manouchehr Mottaki did not give a reason for his view, but emphasized that Iran wanted to restart negotiations with Britain, France and Germany.