IRAN'S hard-line president has promised to unveil proposals to resolve the international impasse over his country's nuclear program and offered a fresh start with the West, an announcement that comes as he struggles to shore up domestic support before presidential elections in June.

"We are preparing a new package to be presented and we will hold talks based on that package, which includes peace and justice across the globe, respecting the rights of all nations and participation of all nations and countries in resolving international issues," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told supporters gathered in the oasis city of Kerman on Wednesday.

Mr Ahmadinejad gave no details about the proposals. The United States said it would study any proposals and expressed hope that they would address international concerns.

The comments from both sides reflect the growing chance of a rapprochement between the enemies since the US President, Barack Obama, began making overtures in January towards Iran, which was branded part of the "axis of evil" by George Bush.

Iranian and US officials are expected to meet face-to-face soon for the first talks on the nuclear issue.

It was revealed this week that the Obama Administration and its European allies are considering dropping a long-standing US insistence that Tehran shut down its nuclear facilities during the early phase of any negotiations, increasing the prospect of a deal.

In any case, Mr Ahmadinejad plays a minor role in determining Iran's nuclear policy and its stance toward the US. Those positions are largely shaped by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's highest religious and political authority, in consultation with other leaders of the national security establishment.

Mr Ahmadinejad is vulnerable among poor voters in the voting on June 12 because of his handling of the economy, and among educated city dwellers for pursuing a foreign policy that has soured relations with the West.

"He wants to do something that looks like detente in foreign policy," said Hamid-Reza Jalaeipour, a political commentator. "He moderates his tone for domestic consumption."

A poll recently showed that his reformist rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi, would beat him easily in the election, and the powerful Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani threw his organisation's support behind the challenger.

Mr Ahmadinejad's supporters have dismissed the poll and point to others that show the president is in the lead.

Los Angeles Times, Guardian News & Media