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IRAN/NUCLEAR ISSUE

Q - The Iranian president thinks the West and especially the EU3 are treating his country like a child with their offer of a nuclear power plant in hope of reaching an agreement. What do you think of the prospect of agreement given that we have such answers from a president in office?

We are working on this package of incentives and dissuasive measures vis-a-vis Iran. We are currently conferring with our European partners, and also with the Americans, Russians, Chinese and eventually with other partners in the international community.

As you saw, the British announced there would be a meeting in London on Wednesday, May 24, for political directors so as finalize the deal in a way. The only thing I can say is it's strange to reject an offer before knowing what it is. The offer needs to be finalized, and what we're asking the Iranians is simply to take the time to look at this new offer.

We're working in good faith on this package with the desire to find answers to Iran's concerns on the three areas you know-civilian nuclear cooperation, the economic dimension and security issues.

I think it's really important for Iran to take the time to look at this package before giving a definite response.

Q - The security guarantees seem to pose the most problems. What kind of guarantees are they? Are they being proposed by the EU3 or are the Americans involved?

That's definitely a question that is being asked. For now, the Europeans are working on the package which will be proposed by the Europeans. Then we'll see what the reaction is of the other parties.

You're right, the US position on the various aspects of this package will be very important, and we're very attentive to its position.

As to the third aspect, security guarantees, as I've said before, we're considering how they could fit into a regional framework. (...)

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There's been progress among the Europeans, but I can't say today what the Iranian reaction will be. There are aspects which should really be an incentive for Iran in those three areas, particularly civilian nuclear cooperation. If we've understand Iran's concern correctly, it's about being able to develop a civilian nuclear program. So the question is how we can help Iran develop a civilian nuclear program, providing of course that Iran complies with the international demands.

Q - The amount of electricity that Iran wants is intended to meet the needs of a growing population, so they need about 30,000 MW. Has there been any shift on this to try to meet Iran's electricity needs?

We're not the ones assessing what Iran's civilian nuclear program has to be. Iran certainly has energy needs, a population, and sources of energy, including oil.

Then Iran is saying that it is interested in international cooperation in this domain, and one of the aspects of this package will be to see what the international community, the Europeans among others and the Russians, can do to help the Iranians develop a civilian nuclear program.

To reply to your question, it is certainly something that we're not ruling out, by contributing to this civilian nuclear program and to the production of electricity.

Q - So nothing has been decided?

No, not yet. We're not at that stage. First an agreement on the principles is needed before we embark on this path. We also need to know what commitments Iran will take. All this is conceivable only if Iran complies with the international demands, i.e. suspends all uranium enrichment-related activities.

Q - Have Areva or Siemens agreed to take part in building a power plant in Iran?

We're not at that stage. The companies, particularly those you mentioned, will commit to such an operation only if they are guaranteed that it is in line with the principles defined by the international community and accepted by the international community. That's very important for these companies, as you'll understand.

The question is if they want to commit to this process-it's a question you must ask them. What we're working on is to establish a framework to permit nuclear civilian cooperation.

Q - Are you in contact with Iran officially about progress on these proposals? Or are the Iranians learning about your proposals through the press?

At this point, it's clear. We're working on this package. There's the meeting in London on May 24 which should, let's hope, allow us to finalize the offer. Only when it's been finalized will it be officially presented to the Iranians, of course. The current work is being done confidentially, as is normal in this type of discussion. (...)

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