ROME - Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said Wednesday that Iran's desire to develop nuclear energy is "legitimate" provided the goal of the programme was for "peaceful purposes".
"If Iran is looking to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, it is not only legitimate, but can also clear the way for cooperation" with other countries, D'Alema said in an interview on Radio 1.
But he added: "We must work so that Iran does not build a nuclear weapon."
The comments by Italy's top diplomat come one day before a deadline set by the United Nations Security Council for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment work or face possible sanctions. Enriched uranium is needed for nuclear fuel but can also be used to build nuclear weapons.
"We are in a delicate period and we have to look for clarification" from
Tehran about its nuclear programme and offer it "security guarantees", D'Alema said.
He also said that while being firm and clear with Iran, it was necessary to make a "true offer of negotiation" because "it is difficult to convince someone if at the same time he is being threatened."
The group of six major powers negotiating the Iranian nuclear standoff -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany -- have made the suspension of uranium enrichment work a pre-condition for opening talks on expanding cooperation with Iran.
08/30/2006 17:43 GMT