How long must this charade go on?

The Europeans keep on offering more, the Iranians keep on being insistent they won't budge. When will we get the message?

Three European Union powers plan to offer Iran a limited package of nuclear, economic and political incentives next week to give up suspect nuclear work amid growing pessimism that Tehran's leaders will take the bait.

Diplomats from Britain, France and Germany are due to hand over the proposals to the Iranian government after new hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes office next Wednesday, but signs are growing that they will get a dismissive reception.

Outgoing President Mohammad Khatami said on Wednesday that Iran would resume some work on its nuclear fuel cycle, which the West suspects is part of a clandestine effort to produce a bomb, regardless of what the so-called EU3 group offers.

"Our deadline for suspending nuclear work was the EU proposal. We will wait until the first days of August but will restart activities right afterwards," Khatami told reporters.