BBC: Iran a threat, say Europe allies

BBC ^ | Thursday, 6 December 2007, 20:56 GMT | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iran a threat, say Europe allies

The leaders spoke days after a new US intelligence report was issued

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have said Iran continues to pose a threat.

The comments came as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began talks with European and Russian officials in Brussels on Iran's nuclear programme.

A US intelligence report published on Monday said Iran had suspended a nuclear weapons programme in 2003.

But the report also said that Iran was continuing to enrich uranium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons.

Iran says the aims of its nuclear programme are peaceful.

"Iran continues to represent a threat," Mrs Merkel said during a joint news conference with Mr Sarkozy in Paris.

She did not specifically express support for a new UN sanctions resolution against Iran, which the US is calling for.

'Dialogue'

"We and our partners would like to continue with the UN process," Mrs Merkel said.

"I think we and our partners need to continue to seek dialogue with Iran," she said.

Mr Sarkozy said he agreed with his German counterpart that Iran still posed a danger, and that he supported the push for more sanctions.

"Notwithstanding the latest elements, everyone is fully conscious of the fact that there is a will of the Iranian leaders to obtain nuclear weapons.

"What made Iran move up to now, it was sanctions and firmness," he said.

The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released on Monday reversed earlier statements on Iran by the Bush administration.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the US report a "great victory" for Iran.

Ms Rice, who was in Brussels to urge more international pressure on the Iranians to halt uranium enrichment, said they still needed explain a covert programme up to 2003.

"I don't see that the NIE changes the course that we're on," Ms Rice said while travelling to Brussels, AP reported.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Fascinating mirror as to what is going on here in Asia.

Bush is making Munich 1939-type outreach to North Korea (with a silly letter to Kim Jong il yesterday), much to the consternation of our friends in Japan and within conservative political opposition circles in South Korea.

They are (essentially) saying to Bush and Condi, "hey, not so fast on this Kim Jong il!"

I wonder if they will send Condi to Tokyo to spin their way out of that one, too.

[G8 Diplomat]

Iran a threat, say Europe allies

MASTERS

of the

OBVIOUS

[Axlrose]

Tell that to Booosh.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lot’s of wierd stuff going on from the beltway crowd.

[SunkenCiv]

Ms Rice, who was in Brussels to urge more international pressure on the Iranians to halt uranium enrichment, said they still needed explain a covert programme up to 2003. "I don't see that the NIE changes the course that we're on," Ms Rice said while travelling to Brussels, AP reported

Thanks E.

[SunkenCiv]

What’s going on here (irrespective of the agenda/s of the perhaps traitors who crafted the NIE) is a major ante-uppin’ and bluff-callin’ by the White House.

LA Times: Doves find fault with Iran report too
Los Angeles Times | December 7, 2007 | Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Posted on 12/07/2007 3:56:29 PM EST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1936318/posts

[txflake]

‘bump’

[shield]

Yep, the rest of the world sees this in the proper perceptive...NIE REPORT A HIT PIECE AGAINST BUSH AND HIS ADMINISTRATION...THE WORLD SEES IT!!! So do the IRAQI CITIZENS...

[txflake]

I think the world is sick of the $20+ 'Iran risk premium' built into the speculators bidding up the price of oil, and wants that 'risk' shut down.

$90/bbl is bad for China. Taking Iran out of the equation is in every industrialized nation's interest.

[dervish]

Thanks.

[shield]

Somethin’ is definitely up.

[Iron Munro]

Bush is making Munich 1939-type outreach to North Korea (with a silly letter to Kim Jong il yesterday)

Part of the now traditional last-year-whackiness as the foaming-at-the-mouth mad dash for a presidential legacy kicks in.

Except for the names and faces this is starting to have the feel of the last year of the Klinton administration.
The cast of characters and scenario is complete with a totally useless female SecState, promises of huge gobs of taxpayer money and insane concessions to terrorist muslims in palestine, arm twisting and threats to Israel and signals of appeasement to the NORKs and Iran.

Deja Vu al over again.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, this is EXACTLY what is happening.

The cookie cutter template for appeasement in the Middle East is the same for what is happening with North Korea. It is a shame. It is nonsense. It is foolish. It is dangerous.