Six world powers agreed Thursday on a "significant" package of incentives to convince Iran to stop its uranium enrichment program, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said. "I am pleased to say we have agreed (on) a set of far-reaching proposals," she said. "We believe they offer Iran the chance to reach a negotiated agreement based on cooperation."
According to the AP, She added that "if Iran agrees not to engage in negotiations, further steps will have to be taken."
After a meeting by France, Britain, Germany, the United States, Russia and China, Becket said "we urge Iran to take the positive path" and promised to suspend Security Council action against Tehran if it agreed to halt enrichment.
At the White House, US President Bush warned that the confrontation would end up at the U.N. Security Council if Iran continues to enrich uranium. "If they continue their obstinance, if they continue to say to the world 'We really don't care what your opinion is,' then the world is going to act in concert," Bush said after meeting with his Cabinet at the White House.
Bush said he got a "positive response" in a telephone conversation on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, "We expect Russia to participate in the United Nations Security Council. We'll see whether or not they agree to do that."
Bush also exchanged views about Iran on Thursday with Chinese President Hu Jintao. He said little about that conversation, saying, "They understood our strategy." The U.S. would need cooperation by Russia and China, Security Council members, before that body could act.
