Vienna: Iran's new offer for international talks falls far short of meeting demands by world powers, focusing on generalities without touching on UN Security Council calls that Tehran give up uranium enrichment, according to a copy of the offer obtained today by The Associated Press.

The Islamic Republic also sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon complaining that Security Council sanctions imposed mainly because of Tehran's refusal to suspend enrichment were "illegal."

In the letter, which was also obtained by the AP, Iran obliquely slams the United States and its allies for their pursuit of the sanctions.

Both the letter and the document, entitled "The Islamic Republic of Iran s Proposed Package for Constructive Negotiations," were sent Tuesday to Ban. Yesterday a copy of the offer was also given to Javier Solana, the chief EU foreign policy official who has held a series of abortive talks with Iranian representatives.

Iran s EU ambassador Ali Ashgar Khaji said in presenting the proposal to Solana that it was designed to resolve international concerns over his country's nuclear programme and wider security issues. Solana's office welcomed the overture, and said he would pass them on to Germany, France and Britain, which are trying to engage Iran on its nuclear programme along with the United States, Russia and China.

Still, the proposal was unlikely to be taken up by the six powers as a new basis for negotiations.

Source : PTI