Iran sees "common ground" with big powers' atom offer

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it was encouraged by common points between its and world powers' separate proposals aimed at defusing a nuclear dispute, but again dismissed any suggestion of suspending uranium enrichment.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Tehran was studying an offer of economic and other incentives by six major powers, which are trying to convince Iran to halt activity the West suspects is aimed at making bombs.

But he did not say when Iran would respond to the incentives proposal by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, Germany and France, which was handed to Tehran by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on June 14.

The Islamic Republic has put forward its own package of proposals aimed at resolving the row, but diplomats say it ignores global concern about its enrichment programme, which can have both military and civilian uses.

"We believe this common ground is encouraging," Hosseini told a news conference without elaborating. "We say that this common ground can help with the start of negotiations."

"Time is ripe for these talks and we should not lose this opportunity," he said in comments translated by Iran's Press TV satellite station. "We feel that compared to years past there is a more pronounced serious will on the side of the other party."

The incentives package offered by the sextet is an updated version of one rejected by Iran in 2006.

"APPROPRIATE TIME"

Hosseini said Iran would respond to the incentives offer, which includes help in developing a civilian nuclear programme and trade benefits, at an "appropriate time" and that it expected the six powers to study Tehran's proposals as well.