Bush disappointed Iran rejected EU deal over nukes

PARIS — President Bush says Iran is further isolating its own people in rejecting an offer from world powers to accept incentives in exchange for halting its uranium enrichment program.

The Iranian government on Saturday brushed aside an incentive package put forward by the European Union and backed by Bush to suspend its enrichment of uranium in return for financial assistance and trade.

"I'm disappointed that the leaders rejected this generous offer out of hand," Bush said following a meeting here with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "It's an indication to the Iranian people that their leadership is willing to isolate them further. Our view is we want the Iranian people to flourish and to benefit."

Sarkozy took the same approach at a joint news conference following a morning meeting with Bush. He said the Iranian people "deserve better than the impasse into which some of their leaders are leading them."

Iranian government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham told reporters in Tehran that the package "won't be considered at all" if it means that Iran cannot continue to enrich uranium.