Ahmadinejad confirms new proposals

               Western diplomats struggled Wednesday in Berlin to secure an agreement on imposing tougher sanctions on Iran in an attempt to end its nuclear program. The meeting of the five UN permanent Security Council members and Germany was complicated by a last-minute offer of talks from Saeed Jalili, the top nuclear negotiator in Iran. Russia and China used the prospect of a peace offering from Tehran, however vague, as an argument against punitive measures. One plan, currently before the U.S. Congress, is to ban exports of refined petroleum products. But China is already helping Iran to build new oil refineries in the hope of doubling domestic capacity by 2012. "I believe nothing new should be expected as the six nations differ over which way they should follow to tackle Iran's nuclear program," said Vladimir Sazhin, of the Russian Institute of Oriental Studies. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Thursday that Iran would not bend to deadlines, but confirmed that a new package of proposals had been given to the West in the nuclear standoff. It came after his new government won broad backing from parliament - including a defense minister wanted by Argentina for a deadly 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish cultural center. Lawmakers also gave approval to the nation's first woman government minister since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but rejected three nominees for the 21-seat Cabinet - the choice for the important energy ministry and two women proposed for the education and welfare-social security posts. The wide mandate from lawmakers was a boost for the embattled president and considered a vote of confidence for his crackdowns on political opponents and tough stance against Western pressure for talks on the nation's nuclear program or risk possible tighter sanctions. The US and some allies worry that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran's leaders say they only seek peaceful reactors for electricity. Ahmadinejad also is struggling against a variety of internal rifts after his disputed re-election in June. Opposition groups - that claim the outcome was rigged - have gained support from some influential Shi'ite clerics and even former Ahmadinejad backers who are troubled by the harsh postelection clampdowns and claims of abuses against detainees, including rapes. But Ahmadinejad still counts on the support of the powerful Revolutionary Guard and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran. His battles to win parliament approval for his government displayed his weakened political voice. He faced pointed questions about the experience and expertise of some choices, and made a final appeal to lawmakers to stand up to "enemies" by backing his government. In the end, Ahmadinejad avoided a drawn-out tussle with parliament to revise his choices during a crucial period for Iran. US President Barack Obama and European allies have given Iran until the end of September to agree to talks on its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad also plans to make his annual trip to New York for the UN General Assembly later this month. In the parliament vote, Ahmadinejad won approval for many key posts that included the foreign, interior and intelligence ministries. The new defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, received overwhelming support. Also receiving parliament backing was Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi as health minister, making her the Islamic Republic's first female Cabinet member since the toppling of the Western-backed shah. Vahidi gained support earlier this week when lawmakers said they would not bow to foreign pressures to reject him. Vahidi is wanted over charges of involvement in the bombing of the Jewish center in Buenos Aires that left 85 people dead. Vahidi is one of five prominent Iranians sought by Argentina in the bombing. He was the commander of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard known as the Quds Force at the time of the attack. (21,13)