(AP-Washington Post) Iran has made no secret of its hopes for the next round of nuclear negotiations with world powers: Pledges by the West to ease sanctions. But Iran's pitch is certain to smack head-on into resistance and counter proposals by the West. Iran has cultivated a sunny approach - with officials repeatedly saying they are "optimistic" about the May 23 session in Baghdad and their hopes for goodwill gestures from the other side. From the Western corner, the mood is much tougher. U.S. officials have rejected the idea that they could ease sanctions against Iran as a confidence-building measure. They have said sanctions will only be pulled back if Iran complies with demands that include suspending uranium enrichment. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday that Washington wants "to see Iran live up to its international obligations including the suspension of uranium enrichment as required by multiple UN Security Council resolutions."
2012-05-03 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive