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Blair warns of problems if Iran continues

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Blair warns of problems if Iran continues U-work Friday, June 09, 2006 LONDON, June 9 - British Prime Minister Tony said Blair that Iran would cause "a lot of difficulty" if it refused to suspend its uranium enrichment programme, AFP reported. Blair welcomed as a "big step forward" the United States' offer to hold direct talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, provided Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment work. But he added: "I hope very much that they don't reject it (that condition) because if they do, that will cause a lot of difficulty". Iran said on Thursday it was open to nuclear talks with the West but that atomic technology was not up for discussion, amid rising hopes for a breakthrough in the standoff over the Islamic republic's nuclear aims. Tehran says it is seeking solely to develop a civilian nuclear power programme but the US and EU fear this may be a cover for the development of nuclear weapons. "It is very sensible for America to say that provided there is the suspension of the enrichment process then they are willing to enter into the direct talks with Iran and join the Europeans in that," Blair told his monthly press conference at his Downing Street office. "I think that is a big step forward. It indicates that America wants to find a diplomatic solution to this. "I think all of us have felt that it is right now to come together and make a clear offer to Iran and say: 'We want to find a diplomatic solution to this, there is one on offer. You may want to develop civil nuclear power but we do not want a situation where that is used to threaten the outside world.'" Blair underlined that a thaw in diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran was what Iran had "constantly sought". "It is good that they have given the proposals serious consideration and they should do that," he said. "They should know that all of us are seeking a diplomatic solution to this and whether we can get one depends to an extent on them. But it's an indication of our good faith that the Americans have made this offer."