[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]

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Q: Could you tell us about the talks with the Iranians?

A: There were contacts between the aides to Mr. Solana and to Mr. Larijani. The discussions are continuing. We hope there will be a meeting between Mr. Solana and Mr. Larijani soon, but I'm not able to give you a place or date for such a meeting at this time.

Q: What will the purpose be?

A: The objective is still the same, the Iranian nuclear dossier in the wake of what was said in New York, particularly the "dual suspension" offer, that is, suspension of the procedure in the Security Council on one side and suspension on the other, by Iran, of its enrichment activities so as to begin a real negotiation.

Q: There are news stories today reporting that Iran has agreed to the conditions linked to suspension, providing it remains secret.

A: I've not seen that specifically. In any case the talks and negotiations are confidential. Confidentiality applies obviously to the current talks. At the same time if enrichment activities are suspended, the suspension will have to be verified. So the IAEA will have to come into the picture, and I don't know at that point if it will be possible to maintain confidentiality.

Q: Last week there was talk of a new deadline set for the beginning of October. Are you still speaking of a timeline or is there something more specific? And about the dual suspension, have you had reactions from the Iranian side for or against the idea?

A: With regard to your first point, as we said before there is no cut-off date. We decided to leave open the possibility for dialogue, and we'll see if the meeting between Mr. Solana and Mr. Larijani takes place. We'll see how it goes and what the outcome is. Then there will be further consultations among the principal countries concerned to see what should come next. So we didn't set a cut-off date in New York-that's clear. At the same time, as the minister said, an open-ended process isn't being considered either. At some point we'll have to draw our conclusions from the present talks and see what line of conduct to take.

Q: About the dual suspension offer?

A: It's difficult for me to say because that's really the purpose of the present talks. I repeat, there were contacts between the aides to Messrs Solana and Larijani, between Messrs. Cooper and Vaidi. I don't have details of what they said. What we were told from Brussels is that the talks seem to be taking place in a good climate, but I can't say specifically what the Iranian position is on dual suspension. That's why we're waiting for a meeting between Mr. Solana and Mr. Larijani because it will let us know where we stand.

Q: Is it your impression the idea of sanctions is receding a bit?

A: There too the minister has stated our position several times. The option in resolution 1696 still exists. It provides for the possibility of recourse to measures under article 41 of Chapter 7 of the Charter. It's still the two-track approach the minister has mentioned several times. Dialogue on one hand, and if dialogue fails, firmness and then recourse to what is stipulated in resolution 1696.

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