Iran ready to negotiate (on its own terms)

Phot courtesy of Yahoo

Jakarta — Iran's President said Thursday he was ready to negotiate with Western powers over Tehran's nuclear program, but warned that threats would make any talks more difficult.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made his comments after key UN Security Council members agreed to present Tehran with a choice of incentives or sanctions in deciding whether to suspend uranium enrichment.

Later on Thursday, Mr. Ahmadinejad called Israel's government a "regime based on evil," and told a cheering crowd of students in Jakarta that the Jewish state "cannot continue and one day will vanish."

Students in the crowd held up posters saying "Iran in our Hearts," and "Nuclear for Peace."

Mr. Ahmadinejad said his country was willing to negotiate, but that the United States first must drop its "bad attitude."

"We are not only defending our rights, we are defending the rights of many other countries," he said. "By maintaining our position, we are defending our independence."

Iran's President says country ready to negotiate by Chris Brummit, Associated Press Writer

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