IRAN HAS UNTIL THE END OF JUNE TO GIVE A DECISIVE RESPONSE TO NEW INTERNATIONAL PROPOSALS TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS AROUND ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAMME, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV SAID IN MOSCOW WEDNESDAY, ACCORDING TO DPA. THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WOULD REFRAIN FROM DEBATING THE SITUATION IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE WEEKS TO ALLOW THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS TIME TO ACHIEVE RESULTS, THE MINISTER SAID. LAVROV RESTATED HIS COUNTRY'S OPPOSITION TO THE IMPOSITION OF UN SANCTIONS ON IRAN. RUSSIA IS A VETO-HOLDING MEMBER OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. MEANWHILE, NEGOTIATORS SHOULD BUILD UPON A "POSITIVE DYNAMIC" THAT HAS APPEARED IN THE SITUATION, HE ADDED. THE FIVE VETO-WIELDING MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND GERMANY ON TUESDAY PRESENTED IRAN WITH AN INCENTIVES PACKAGE IF IT HALTS URANIUM ENRICHMENT AND MEETS INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS AIMED AT ENSURING ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAMME IS NOT FOR BUILDING WEAPONS. THE PROPOSAL ALSO OUTLINES PUNITIVE MEASURES THAT CAN BE ENACTED IF IRAN DOES NOT COMPLY. IN TEHRAN, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MANUCHEHR MOTTAKI WAS QUOTED AS SAYING "MODERATION AND FAIRNESS" WILL BE NEEDED TO RESOLVE THE NUCLEAR DISPUTE. --MORE 08/06/2006 00:17 ت م
