- Title: IRAN-NUCLEAR/KERRY Kerry says not in rush to get Iran nuclear deal
- Date: 9th July 2015
- Summary: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (JULY 9, 2015) (REUTERS) PALAIS COBURG, VENUE OF NUCLEAR TALKS MEETING ROOMS WINDOWS U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY WALKING TOWARDS SPEAKER PODIUM ON CRUTCHES MEDIA GATHERED KERRY STANDING AT SPEAKER PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "But let me assure you, we would not be here continuing to negotiate just for the
- Embargoed: 24th July 2015 13:00
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- Location: Austria
- Country: Austria
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAAZ9IW9J3NMUH85SEUTKGDAIW1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The United States and other major powers are not in a rush to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday (July 9), suggesting an accord was unlikely hours ahead of a deadline set by the U.S. Congress for a quick review.
"But let me assure you, we would not be here continuing to negotiate just for the sake of negotiating, we are here because we believe we are making real progress toward a comprehensive deal but as I have said many times and as I discussed with President Obama last night, we are not going to sit at the negotiating table forever. We also recognise that we shouldn't get up and leave simply because the clock strikes midnight, and I emphasise given that the work here is incredibly technical and that the stakes are very, very high we will not rush and we will not be rushed and we won't let ourselves be rushed through any aspect of this. All that we are focused on is the quality of the agreement and that is what will continue to define our work," Kerry told reporters in the Austrian capital.
He did not say how much longer the negotiations could continue but he said there were still issues to be resolved.
"If in the end we are able to reach a deal, it has to be one that can withstand the test of time. It is not a test of a matter of days, or weeks or months, it's a test for decades, that's our goal here and the simple fact is that despite all of the progress that we have made and it's real, some of the tough issues remain unresolved. We know that difficult decisions don't become easier overtime. One way or another those decisions must be taken very soon."
However, Kerry cautioned that Washington's patience was limited.
"This is not open-ended. President Obama made it very clear to me last night, you can't wait forever for the decision to be made, we know that, if the tough decisions don't get made we are absolutely prepared to call an end to this process."
Shortly after Kerry spoke, the White House said the talks would not likely drag on for "many more weeks."
Over the past two weeks, Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have twice extended deadlines for completing a long-term deal under which Tehran would curb nuclear activities for more than a decade in exchange for sanctions relief.
Kerry's announcement echoed earlier remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said Iran and major powers would not be hurried.
Negotiators have given themselves until Friday (July 10). But if a deal is not reached by 6:00 a.m. in Vienna (0400 GMT), the sceptical Republican-led U.S. Congress will have 60 days rather than 30 days to review it, extra time the administration of President Barack Obama worries could create new chances to derail it.
Western countries accuse Iran of seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says its programme is peaceful. A deal would depend on Iran accepting curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the easing of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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