Bush: Iran isolating its population over nukes

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-15  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

US President George W. Bush said yesterday he was disappointed by Iran's rejection of an economic package linked to the suspension of its nuclear enrichment program.

Although Iran has stopped short of official rejection of the offer, Bush said: "I am disappointed that the Iranian leaders rejected this generous offer out of hand."

Bush told a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy this was a sign that Iran's leadership was willing to isolate its people further.

Earlier, the European Union's top diplomat handed Tehran an offer of economic benefits to try to persuade it to stop nuclear enrichment.

"Iran's view is clear: any precondition is unacceptable," government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said when asked about the package of incentives offered by the United States, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany.

"If the package includes suspension it is not debatable at all," he said.

The US and its European allies have warned Iran of more sanctions if it presses ahead with its nuclear program.