WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday called on Iran to embrace democracy as he stepped up warnings about the Islamic Republic's suspect nuclear programme.
While a senior Iranian official said his country would never accept the end of its controversial uranium enrichment efforts, Bush emphasised the need for diplomatic pressure to be used and also declined to express support for "regime change" when asked a Washington press conference.
"I believe that the Iranian people ought to be allowed to freely discuss opinions, read a free press, have free votes, be able to choose among political parties.
"I believe Iran should adopt democracy, that's what I believe," said the president.
Bush also reaffirmed that Iran, which he called "a non-transparent regime run by a handful of people," must "permanently abandon" any enrichment activities to make sure it does not get nuclear weapon.
"A lot of people understand that if they did have a weapon, it would create incredible instability, it wouldn't be good for world peace."
Bush said that talks, which are being led by Britain, France and Germany, are the best way to convince Iran. The European trio has offered Iran trade, security and technological benefits. The United States has supported the initiative by offering to end its objections to Iran joining the World Trade Organization.
"Now we're waiting for an Iranian response," said Bush who also emphasised that if the offer was refused Iran's case would be taken to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.
"I hope they don't. I hope they realize the world is clear about making sure that they don't end up with a nuclear weapon," said Bush.
The president said there was still a lot of diplomatic activity ahead. "Our diplomatic objective is to continue working with our friends to make it clear to Iran we speak with a single voice," he said.
But Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Hassan Rowhani, said earlier in Tehran that Europe's offer has been rejected.
"Iran's negotiating team has openly told Europeans Iran will not accept a permanent suspension of uranium enrichment and this is Iran's definitive and official position," Rowhani told members of the Experts' Assembly of clerics who appoint Iran's supreme leader.
European and Iranian officials are to meet on March 23 and Iran hopes to see "a formula that recognizes the right of Iran to continue enrichment and lifts the concerns over the Iranian nuclear programme," Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kahrazi said Tuesday.
"In exchange, the Europeans have to give firm guarantees that open the path towards greater cooperation in the fields of politics and investment," Kharazi said.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei said Wednesday that US involvement in the talks with Iran was a positive development.
"The Iranian issue in its totality will not be fully resolved without engagement of the United States," ElBaradei told a nuclear security conference in London.
He called the Washington offer a "step in the right direction".
ElBaradei said the negotiations with Iran continued to be hampered by a "confidence deficit."
"Iran is playing by the book (with the IAEA); they are implementing their legal obligations. But in light of 20 years of undeclared programme I'd like to see more than just playing by the book; I'd like to see proactive transparency," he told journalists.
"It has been a painful process to unearth all the past nuclear activities."
03/16/2005 17:53 GMT