May 15, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429

BRUSSELS, May 14: Iran is ready to receive a new international offer of political and trade incentives aimed at encouraging it to suspend uranium enrichment, its ambassador to the European Union said on Wednesday.

“We are ready to receive the package that might be offered by the 5+1,”Aliasghar Khaji told reporters, in reference to the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany.

He said the Islamic republic expected the offer to contain “new issues and elements”, but he gave no indication of how it might be received in Tehran.

Khaji’s remarks came as he discussed with reporters new Iranian proposals aimed at resolving “global challenges” like terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and the conflict in the Middle East.

Permanent Security Council members have been preparing a “reviewed and updated” version of the original offer made to Iran in 2006.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has been trying to establish high-level talks aimed at getting Iran to accept those incentives, but Tehran refuses to suspend enrichment as a precondition for negotiating.

Khaji said Iran’s proposals do not directly address the nuclear standoff.

“It’s not about disputes. It gives you a general picture on how to deal with the question of peace and security in the world,” he told reporters at his residence in Brussels.

“We have already given our views and proposals with regards to the nuclear issue,” he said.

But he added: “We believe that if some countries take our proposals seriously, and if they try to work together to address common concerns, another resolution could be avoided.”—AFP