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Bush seeks diplomacy in Iran nuclear issue

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 May 2006, 16:55 CDT

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.

Source: REUTERS

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