Posted on 02/16/2006 3:30:54 PM PST by Cornpone
Paris - French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy branded Iran's nuclear programme for the first time Thursday as a "clandestine, military" project.
In response to sharp protests from Iran, however, France's foreign ministry reiterated Paris's official position, which is that Tehran's nuclear activities "raise doubts about their peaceful nature".
Foreign ministry spokesperson Agnes Romatet-Espagne did not repeat the terms "clandestine" and "military", which Douste-Blazy employed in an early morning television interview.
"It's very simple: no civilian nuclear programme can explain Iran's nuclear programme," Douste-Blazy told France 2 television, two days after Tehran confirmed it was resuming sensitive uranium enrichment work.
"Therefore it's a clandestine military nuclear programme."
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani insisted following the comments that Tehran was not seeking a nuclear weapon, saying he regretted the apparent hardening of the French position.
Douste-Blazy's allegations were the first time a top European official has made such explicit claims against Tehran and highlighted increasing EU exasperation over Tehran's nuclear programme.
The exact nature of Iran's nuclear ambitions - Tehran insists that it intends only to generate civilian nuclear power - has sparked an international standoff which has led to the brink of UN Security Council intervention.
Earlier this month the United States and a European Union troika made up of Britain, France and Germany persuaded the watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report Iran to the security council for action.
The world body is awaiting a March 6 report by IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei before deciding how to proceed.
"Firstly, the international community has sent a very strong message to the Iranians: show reason, suspend all nuclear activities and uranium enrichment," Douste-Blazy said, adding: "And they're not listening to us.
"That is the reason why, for the first time for days, the international community is united.
"It's not just the Europeans - France, Germany and the British - it's also Russia and China."
They'd have to run out of oil before any real explaining could begin.
And if France isn't buying what they're selling, I'd say the bombing should have begun at least six months ago.
Pardon my francais but WTF are we waiting for? Irradiation of Jerusalem?
Wow... Did they surrender yet?
Clandestine ? Then why does even my dog know about it ?
Are French fries back in fashion?
Korea,.....Korea,.......Korea,.......Vietnam,.....Canada-Pak
You can't believe anything a French "diplomat" tells you..
I doubt Russia, China or France and Germany will be with us when the time come to let the SHTF...
Fruck the Fench -- and all of "Old Europe",
I will have to see their performance before I believe it.....
Semper Fi
At a less erudite level of references than the books you suggest, but still a highly informative and educational look at the Mullahs and the neo-regime of today, you might want to add the briefings at http://www.antimullah.com to your list and check it out.
Not at my house, But I think french auto insurance premiums are about to go up.
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.