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Iran upbeat on nuke incentive plan
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSBERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- Iran's foreign minister has said there are "very positive points" in the incentives plan concerning Iran's nuclear program, but added that other points are unclear and "we have questions about them." Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki briefed reporters in Berlin on Saturday after a meeting with his counterpart, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Mottaki said that after Iran had examined the package, it would inform its "European partners" of its position but did not indicate when that would be. The plan for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment was devised by the U.N. Security Council permanent members -- the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia -- and Germany. If Tehran refuses, the so-called "EU3" and the United States say they will push for U.N. sanctions if they have no reply by the July 15-17 summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrial nations in St. Petersburg, Russia. Iran says its nuclear program is aimed solely at the peaceful generation of electricity and refuses to suspend enrichment as demanded by the six powers. The West is concerned Iran wants to use nuclear technology to develop weapons. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said a response by Iran will be made by August 22, well after the G8 summit. Mottaki said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is meeting with Iranian officials next week to go over the offer. Steinmeier said Iran is at a position now where it faces "greater isolation" or closer relations with the international community. He descibed the "substantial and ambitious" incentives package as "the best basis to return to the negotiating table." He hopes those looking at the plan in Tehran "realize it's a chance." Steinmeier called for the "suspension of enrichment so negotiations can begin." But Mottaki said "we welcome negotations without preconditions." CNN Correspondent Chris Burns contributed to this report. 
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