Posted on 10/05/2007 12:36:29 AM PDT by familyop
European Union (EU) sanctions to discourage Iran from pursuing its nuclear program would influence Rome more than other EU countries, Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said on Thursday.
D'Alema's remarks came one day after French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called on the EU to take the lead in widening financial sanctions on Iran, saying the world could not afford to wait for the United Nations to act.
Italy is Iran's biggest European trading partner and in 2006 the trade between the two countries was worth 5.2 billion euros (7. 3 billion U.S. dollars).
The EU as a whole accounted for 37 percent of Iran's foreign trade in the same year, according to Italian News Agency ANSA.
Asked about a French call for EU sanctions, D'Alema reiterated Italy's view that such an action is more effective if decided by the United Nations Security Council.
"The concept of effectiveness must be placed at the center of the debate so that it doesn't turn into tough-talking propaganda," said the minister.
An EU spokesperson in Brussels said the EU was discussing the possibility of European sanctions and that further debate was expected at the foreign ministers' meeting scheduled for Oct. 15.
Last week foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain delayed a UN vote on more sanctions on Iran, asking for more talks with Tehran.
Source: Xinhua
Spain, Italy against Iran sanctions
PressTV (Iran)
Thu, 04 Oct 2007
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=25795§ionid=351020104
Spain and Italy say they prefer diplomacy to solve Iran’s nuclear issue, although Britain supports France’s policy of more EU sanctions.
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema told Italian lawmakers that he supports negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear standoff.”While exerting stronger pressure (on Tehran), we should offer a political solution.”
The Italian FM said the West should offer more incentives to Tehran if it seeks to solve the issue.
“Italy has never ruled out possible European sanctions, but we should also remember that we would have a bigger price to pay than those who shout the loudest,” he said.
Iran-Italy trade stood at $US 2.7 Billion in 2001 and 3.852 Billion Euros in 2003. In 2005, Italy was the third largest trading partner of Iran with 7.5% of all exports to Iran. Italy was the top trading partner of Iran in the European Union in early 2006.
Spain has also articulated support for continued diplomatic efforts on Iran’s nuclear program rather than any EU sanctions as proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
A source at the Spanish foreign ministry has indicated that Spain backs the diplomatic efforts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the six members of the UN Security Council .
In a recent letter, Kouchner urged his EU partners to impose new economic sanctions against Iran in a bid to pressure Tehran to end what he called the country’s “nuclear defiance”.
Italy sticks its boot into the middle of the Mediterranean. I wonder which direction the prevailing winds blow from the eastern shoreline of that body of water. Fallout makes for some bad days. Italy should think about that, and Europe should remember a certain recent legacy.
Italy has never failed to walk lockstep with fascists - until they get their asses kicked hard.
So Italy and Spain are the Germany and Frane of 2002 - 2003. Then it was business dealings with Iraq, now it is Iran. Nice friends we have there in Europe.
Rev. 18:11: “ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. “
France Urges EU to Take Lead on Iran Sanctions
Yahoo News/Reuters
Posted on 10/04/2007 8:40:45 PM EDT by nuconvert
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906751/posts
Britain backs France on Iran sanctions call
AFP via EUBusiness | 10/04/2007
Posted on 10/04/2007 12:28:38 PM EDT by Republicain
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906537/posts
Congress Condemns Iranian Labor Crackdown
NRO | October 04, 2007 | Michael Rubin
Posted on 10/04/2007 8:10:33 PM EDT by nuconvert
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906744/posts
Tehran: Split Between Liberal, Hard-Line
AP | 10/04/07 | AP
Posted on 10/04/2007 5:12:56 PM EDT by freedom44
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906679/posts
MP says Putin’s visit to Iran will be turning point
IRNA (Iran | 04OCT07 | Islamic Republic News Agency
Posted on 10/03/2007 11:32:55 PM EDT by familyop
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906295/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.