xav
09-21-2007, 02:21 AM
Who would have believed it a few months ago?! :cantbeli:
France Calls for Sanctions on Iran
By DESMOND BUTLER – 6 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Thursday the world needs to be tough with Iran over its nuclear ambitions while continuing to seek a diplomatic solution.
In a speech in a Washington hotel ballroom, Kouchner sought to clarify recent comments that were interpreted by some as a threat of war against Iran.
"An Iran with a military nuclear capability is, for us, an unacceptable prospect," he said, speaking in English. "If sanctions without dialogue can only lead to confrontation, dialogue without sanctions is unfortunately tantamount to weakness."
Kouchner was speaking during a two-day Washington stay in which Iran has been a top subject. The French government's tougher line has brought it closer to the Bush administration, which also has made a renewed push to tighten sanctions.
On Sunday, Kouchner sparked an outcry at home and abroad by saying the international community needed to be prepared for "the worst" over Iran's nuclear program — or "war."
He later backtracked, and in his speech Thursday, he said he had not been advocating military confrontation.
The speech was repeatedly interrupted by U.S. anti-war activists. Three female protesters were removed by security from the ballroom after they walked in front of Kouchner with banners as he began his speech.
As they shouted, "No war with Iran, no war with Iran," Kouchner retorted: "They are right, no war with Iran." Then, addressing the women directly, he said, "But I agree, stupid."
France sees a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to global security, Kouchner said.
"To those who say that we should handle Iran with kid gloves, since it could destabilize the region, I say this: Look at its adventurism today and imagine what it would be like if Tehran thought itself one day protected by a nuclear umbrella," he said.
Earlier Thursday, Kouchner discussed Iran and other issues with lawmakers and with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He was expected to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and national security adviser Stephen Hadley on Friday.
At a news conference Thursday, President Bush was asked about Kouchner's earlier statement about confrontation with Iran and said: "I have consistently stated I am hopeful we can convince the Iranian regime to give up" any nuclear ambitions it has.
France also has been pushing recently for EU sanctions against Iran that would target the credit, insurance and financial sectors.
"Needless to say, my priority, my greatest hope would be to obtain robust sanctions in the United Nations Security Council," Kouchner said in his speech Thursday. "But the clock is ticking, and we cannot afford, given the risk, to exclude other avenues, including that of further European Union sanctions."
Kouchner said that France opposes bills under consideration in Congress that would target companies that do business in Iran, including European energy companies.
In the speech Kouchner said that France, Europe and the United States had emerged from "one of the most strained periods in the history of their relations," blaming tensions on differences over Iraq.
France Calls for Sanctions on Iran
By DESMOND BUTLER – 6 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Thursday the world needs to be tough with Iran over its nuclear ambitions while continuing to seek a diplomatic solution.
In a speech in a Washington hotel ballroom, Kouchner sought to clarify recent comments that were interpreted by some as a threat of war against Iran.
"An Iran with a military nuclear capability is, for us, an unacceptable prospect," he said, speaking in English. "If sanctions without dialogue can only lead to confrontation, dialogue without sanctions is unfortunately tantamount to weakness."
Kouchner was speaking during a two-day Washington stay in which Iran has been a top subject. The French government's tougher line has brought it closer to the Bush administration, which also has made a renewed push to tighten sanctions.
On Sunday, Kouchner sparked an outcry at home and abroad by saying the international community needed to be prepared for "the worst" over Iran's nuclear program — or "war."
He later backtracked, and in his speech Thursday, he said he had not been advocating military confrontation.
The speech was repeatedly interrupted by U.S. anti-war activists. Three female protesters were removed by security from the ballroom after they walked in front of Kouchner with banners as he began his speech.
As they shouted, "No war with Iran, no war with Iran," Kouchner retorted: "They are right, no war with Iran." Then, addressing the women directly, he said, "But I agree, stupid."
France sees a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to global security, Kouchner said.
"To those who say that we should handle Iran with kid gloves, since it could destabilize the region, I say this: Look at its adventurism today and imagine what it would be like if Tehran thought itself one day protected by a nuclear umbrella," he said.
Earlier Thursday, Kouchner discussed Iran and other issues with lawmakers and with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He was expected to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and national security adviser Stephen Hadley on Friday.
At a news conference Thursday, President Bush was asked about Kouchner's earlier statement about confrontation with Iran and said: "I have consistently stated I am hopeful we can convince the Iranian regime to give up" any nuclear ambitions it has.
France also has been pushing recently for EU sanctions against Iran that would target the credit, insurance and financial sectors.
"Needless to say, my priority, my greatest hope would be to obtain robust sanctions in the United Nations Security Council," Kouchner said in his speech Thursday. "But the clock is ticking, and we cannot afford, given the risk, to exclude other avenues, including that of further European Union sanctions."
Kouchner said that France opposes bills under consideration in Congress that would target companies that do business in Iran, including European energy companies.
In the speech Kouchner said that France, Europe and the United States had emerged from "one of the most strained periods in the history of their relations," blaming tensions on differences over Iraq.