U.N. to Present Iran Nuke Program Options

France's Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, right, and France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, walk from the Security Council at the United Nations, Tuesday May 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (Richard Drew - AP)

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said late Monday that the Europeans planned a new initiative alongside their effort to win approval of the resolution.

"In the coming days, we want to once again, as we did last summer, outline to Iran what kind of advantages we might offer to them if they were willing to comply with the demands of the international community, and what possibility there would be for further cooperation," Steinmeier said.

The Europeans want the Iranian people to know that they are heading down "a path that would lead them into isolation if they were not to comply with the demands of the international community," he said.

The British, French and Germans cut off more than two years of negotiations with Iran earlier this year after it said it would resume its enrichment activities. They had offered Iran a package of benefits last summer, and Steinmeier said the Europeans will have to talk about details of a possible new package.

The European official said the package is likely to include issues related to energy security and civilian nuclear power.

Russia's Lavrov said he preferred to look at "reasonable proposals which would show positive alternatives" for Iran.

The deeply divided Security Council has been wrestling with the draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program, which the United States and its European allies fear is intended to make weapons and Iran maintains is solely for peaceful purposes.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said Monday the United States wanted a vote this week, with or without Russian and Chinese support.

But Rice said Tuesday "we're going to take the time that we need to make certain that the members of the international community have an opportunity to develop a strategy moving forward."

Steinmeier said there are still five or six outstanding issues in the draft resolution and adoption would probably need "another 10 days, 14 days."

Rice had a message for the Iranians: Accept the international community's proposals for civilian nuclear power "because no one wants to isolate the Iranian people."

Lavrov had an implicit message for the United States.

"My very strong conviction is that it's only through direct negotiations between all interested parties that we can find a solution" that would guarantee nonproliferation and guarantee "responsible members" of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty "the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy."

The United States has invited direct talks with Iran only on the security situation in Iraq.