Chinese School - France: Goal on Iran is political, not punitive

WORLD / EU

France: Goal on Iran is political, not punitive
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-10 16:02

France is looking for a political solution to the dispute over Iran's
nuclear ambitions rather than seeking to punish Tehran, French Foreign
Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on French radio on Friday.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy (L) and Iranian Secretary
National Council Security Ali Larijani walk down a corridor after
negotiations. EU powers and Iran failed to strike a deal in last-ditch
nuclear talks that would block possible UN Security Council action. [AFP]

"Our goal is political, not at all punitive," he told RTL radio when
asked whether France backed U.S. demands that the U.N. Security Council
consider sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Referring to a recent meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali
Larijani, Douste-Blazy said "we made proposals, the hand (of compromise)
is extended, negotiations are possible."

On Wednesday, Douste-Blazy criticized Iran for spurning chances to find a
solution to the crisis and said France would assume its responsibilities
as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

Most diplomats expect the 15-national Security Council, which can impose
sanctions, to issue a statement first urging Iran to comply with
resolutions by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board (IAEA) that
it halt all uranium enrichment activities.

Iran, which concealed its nuclear activities from the IAEA for 18 years,
denies it is seeking to build a nuclear bomb and says it is being singled
out unfairly over its nuclear activities compared to India, Pakistan and
Israel.

Tehran says it wants civilian nuclear power to meet the needs of its
booming economy.

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