Bush seeks diplomacy in Iran nuclear issue

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States aims to resolve
the Iran nuclear stand-off peacefully and diplomatically,
President George W. Bush said on Tuesday.

U.N. Security Council powers are to meet on Wednesday to
produce a strategy to stop Iran enriching uranium and to
consider a package of incentives drafted by European countries
to encourage Tehran to halt its nuclear program.

“Obviously we’d like to solve this issue peacefully and
diplomatically, and the more the Iranians refuse to negotiate
in good faith the more countries are beginning to realize that
we must continue to work together,” Bush said at a joint press
conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

But Bush said Iran had so far not shown signs of agreeing.
The West suspects Iran’s nuclear program of being a cover for
developing weapons, while Tehran says it is for civilian power
generation.

“We’re spending a lot of time working with our Russian
friends in particular to make it clear to them that Iran is
showing no good faith,” Bush said.

Russia and China, permanent members of the Security
Council, have been reluctant to impose stronger measures on
Iran such as sanctions.

“We’re on the cusp of going to the Security Council,” Bush
said.