Bush and Merkel discuss Iran sanctions

Reuters UK ^ | 11 November, 2007 | Caren Bohan

[burzum]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel told U.S. President George W. Bush on Saturday she would be willing to support a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran if Tehran continues to resist demands to halt sensitive nuclear work.

Merkel, in a visit to Bush's ranch in Crawford, also said she would consider possible cuts in her country's brisk trade flows with Iran should other efforts fail to secure Tehran's cooperation over its nuclear program.

Bush agreed with Merkel that diplomacy was the best way to resolve the standoff with Iran.

"We were at one in saying that the threat posed through the nuclear program of Iran is indeed a serious one," Merkel said at a joint news conference with Bush.

"We both share this view, but we also were of the opinion that we think that this issue can be solved through diplomatic means; that the next step, then, obviously, would be a resolution," she said through a translator.

Merkel said she would wait for reports on Iran's nuclear activities from the European Union negotiator and the U.N. atomic watchdog before making a final decision on sanctions.

[burzum]

Chancellor Merkel visited President Bush at his ranch in Texas for a couple of days after the hearty state welcoming of President Sarkozy of France. From these meetings it appears that the major powers of Europe (including the UK of course) and the US have aligned in their policies about Iranian nuclear weapons. Would anybody have thought that this could have happened just two years ago?

While Chancellor Merkel certainly doesn't have the near total political power in Germany that President Sarkozy has in France, she is undoubtedly still the most powerful woman in the world and her humble and dignified nature will win over a lot of allies. I am pleased that the major European powers are finally taking the Iranian nuclear weapons problem seriously.

[Army Air Corps]

I am pleased that the major European powers are finally taking the Iranian nuclear weapons problem seriously.

They jolly well should because they are in range.

[AFPhys]

It’s long past time for Europe to get serious about the danger of Iran. I don’t know if there is any hope to get this done in a non-military manner now.

[joseph20]

I don’t think there is any time left for any non-military solution. Iran is inside the 25 yard line and they feel they are close enough to score.

[nyyankeefan]

Bush and Merkel discuss Iran sanctions....

sarkozy ~ then merkel....yet the lib/dems state they will restore the US status in the world!!!!

what maroons!!!