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Q: About the talks between the Six and Iran over the nuclear issue, are there reasons for thinking that things are going in the right direction, more towards dialogue than tensions?

A: That's what we hope. The Six made an offer which Mr. Solana presented to Iran on June 6. We're now hoping to have an early and constructive answer from Iran. The Iranians must take into consideration what this offer comprises, what it can give Iran in terms of civilian nuclear cooperation, on the economic front and on political issues. I don't know if there are particular reasons to be optimistic or pessimistic but in any case we are maintaining a very determined approach in this matter. The Europeans have conducted the negotiation. Mr. Solana went to present the offer on behalf of the international community, on behalf of the Six, the Europeans but also the Americans, Russians and Chinese.

So we're hoping, as I said, to have an early and constructive answer from Iran.

Q: Did the proposals to the Iranians include a deadline for their response or not?

A: We had said at the time that we hoped for an answer within weeks of the Iranians receiving it. It was presented on June 6. So to our thinking, we're now expecting an answer fairly quickly.

Q: The Iranian president said he would give an answer on August 22 so we're still within a timeframe of a few weeks-that would make eight weeks.

A: Everything can be counted in weeks, even in years. But we're talking of weeks rather than months.

Q: In practical terms will it make any difference for you if the answer comes at the end of June or the end of August?

A: We want to have an answer quickly. We don't really see why Iran couldn't give us its answer fairly quickly. The offer is one that's fairly complete, but Iran has had some time to examine it and make a decision. It's our wish to have a fairly quick answer.

Q: Supposing you don't, does that mean you'll move on to the next stage, i.e. the Security Council?

A: Depending on what happens, there will be consultations among the Six, and we'll see what they produce. It's too soon to say. We're hoping now for an answer.

If we don't get it, there will be several opportunities for minister to confer, including at next week's G8 meeting in Moscow. We'll see what attitude to take in due course.

Q: But the last time Iran answered the same evening the proposals were presented, negatively, and you weren't happy. Now Iran is taking its time, and you're not happy either.

A: We'd like a swift and constructive answer. We fully understand that the Iranians needed a certain amount of time to consider the offer. We're not disputing it at all. But we think now, with regard to what was said on June 6 , that we're just about within the timeframe for obtaining an answer, probably through Mr. Solana since he's the one who presented the offer.

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Q: Is Mr. Solana scheduled to go to Iran soon?

A: Like you, I saw that Mr. Solana was hoping to meet Mr. Larijani fairly soon. Mr. Solana is certainly quite prepared to go to any meeting or undertake any trip that would be useful. But the purpose of such a meeting would be to receive an answer from the Iranians.

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