Ahmadinejad says ready to talks, blasts sanctions

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Tehran is ready to sit down with world powers for talks on its nuclear drive as he downplayed the harmful effects of newly imposed sanctions.The Islamic republic, which was already under four rounds of United Nations sanctions, vehemently denies its nuclear programme masks an atomic weapons drive as the West alleges, and insists it is for civilian purposes only.They have this excuse that Iran is dodging negotiations while it is not the case, the Iranian leader was quoted as saying by state media.A person who has logic and has right on his side, why should (he) refrain from negotiations?He was implicitly responding to comments made by Western officials urging the Islamic republic to return to negotiations over its contested nuclear programme.The last round of talks between Iran and the major powers consisting of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States was held in Turkey in January 2011, but the negotiations collapsed.EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday: The European Union stands together in sending that clear message to the government of Iran: that we wish to go back to negotiations, to invite them to pick up the issues which were left on the table in Istanbul a year ago. The six powers are still waiting for Irans reply to a letter Ashton sent in October, stressing that negotiations should focus on the key question of the Iranian nuclear issue, in order to remove doubts.The United States declined to directly respond to Ahmadinejads comments Thursday, saying instead that Tehran should formally reply to Ashtons letter.In his televised comments, Ahmadinejad brushed off the effects of the newly imposed sanctions, saying they would not hurt his nation.Once our trade with Europe was around 90 percent but now it has reached 10 percent and we are not seeking this 10 percent... Experience has shown that the Iranian nation will not be hurt, Ahmadinejad said during a visit to the southern Kerman province.For the past 30 years, the Americans have not been buying oil from us. Our central bank has no relations with you.Iranian media reported that parliament would consider a bill next week to ban oil exports to Europe following the blocs decision to impose an embargo.