Posted on 09/02/2006 1:13:12 AM PDT by familyop
THE Italian Foreign Minister said today that Iran's desire to develop nuclear energy is "legitimate" provided the goal of the program was for "peaceful purposes".
"If Iran is looking to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, it is not only legitimate, but can also clear the way for cooperation" with other countries, said Massimo D'Alema.
He stressed that Iran's nuclear program must be peaceful.
"We must work so that Iran does not build a nuclear weapon," he said.
The comments by Italy's top diplomat came one day before a deadline set by the UN Security Council for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment work.
If it does not meet this deadline, Iran will face possible sanctions.
Enriched uranium is needed for nuclear fuel but can also be used to build nuclear weapons.
"We are in a delicate period and we have to look for clarification" from Tehran about its nuclear program and offer it "security guarantees", Mr D'Alema said.
He also said that while being firm and clear with Iran, it was necessary to make a "true offer of negotiation" because "it is difficult to convince someone if at the same time he is being threatened".
The group of six major powers negotiating the Iranian nuclear standoff the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany have made the suspension of uranium enrichment work a pre-condition for opening talks on expanding cooperation with Iran.
...related:
Rome, Paris can 'cooperate' on Iran
ANSA (Italy) ^ | 02SEP06 | ANSA (Italy)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1694212/posts
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
When, not if, Iran blows these European clowns off the map, I'm going to remember these times and barely miss a beat. These folks have about as much forsight as a corpse.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
get the europeans to support Israel to join Nato or EU. Forcing the Europeans to defend Israel if attacked by Iran. If they want peace and they can trust Iran words, they got nothing to fear, right? right???
Interesting idea, but I doubt seriously whether the E.U. would go for it. Hamas or Hezbollah maybe, but forget Israel.
Italy...great food... cooked by cowards.
What's a matta you?...Gotta no respect!....
"Mr. Ahmadinejad? We've been sent here to 'Negotiate.'"
As allies, they are useless.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
Get Pauly..... (Crime Story)...must be running around Vegas somewhere...Hey Boss what you want me to do???
Oh, I see! And I mispelled cannoli in the comment that I referred you to. It's a pastry and sometimes a crude reference to something else.
...cannolo, even (singular instead of plural).
The Vatican's a mighty tempting symbolic target.
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