Sarkozy in Damascus backs away from US-led condemnation of Iranâ??s nuclear program

[texas grass]

Sarkozy in Damascus backs away from US-led condemnation of Iranâ??s nuclear program

DEBKAfile Special Report

September 3, 2008, 11:26 PM (GMT+02:00)
French and Syrian presidents at one on Iranian nuclear program

French and Syrian presidents at one on Iranian nuclear program

French president Nicolas Sarkozy said in Damascus Wednesday, Sept 3: â??Obviously there is a lack of confidence between Iran and the nations involved in this issue. We [the French] will continue our efforts for dialogue.â?�

In a clear departure from Washingtonâ??s position and in breach of his promises to Israel not to accept a nuclear Iran, Sarkozy omitted to refer to sanctions or any other penalties and clearly avoided recriminations against the Islamic Republic.

DEBKAfileâ??s Middle East sources report that the French president was preparing for a discussion on the Iranian nuclear program taking place in Damascus Thursday with Syrian president Bashar Assad, who will speak for Iran as its closest ally, Turkish prime minister Tayyep Erdogan and the Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

For the purpose of this conference, Sarkozy is presenting himself as the rotating president of the European Union, although his participation in the Damascus summit and his new policy departure on Iran has not been approved by any responsible EU body. The Qatari ruler will speak on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council of which he is president.

The purpose of their discussion will be to generate conditions that make an Israeli attack on Iranâ??s nuclear installations impossible, so degrading the US-Israeli stance on the issue.

When Sarkozy took office as president a year ago, his aides said they had intelligence evidence that Iran was making a nuclear bomb and could only be stopped by military action.

He is singing a different tune in Damascus, after hearing Assad state Wednesday that an attack on Iran would spell disaster. â??No one in the world,â?� said the Syrian president, â??will be able to bear the consequences of a non-peaceful action,â?� He echoed the dire threats coming from Tehran in the last week. One Iranian said an attack on Iran would start a world war.

texas grass Reviewed by texas grass on 09-04-2008. Sarkozy in Damascus backs away from US-led condemnation of Iranâ??s nuclear program Sarkozy in Damascus backs away from US-led condemnation of Iranâ??s nuclear program DEBKAfile Special Report September 3, 2008, 11:26 PM (GMT+02:00) French and Syrian presidents at one on Iranian nuclear program French and Syrian presidents at one on Iranian nuclear program French president Nicolas Sarkozy said in Damascus Wednesday, Sept 3: â??Obviously there is a lack of confidence between Iran and the nations involved in this issue. We will continue our efforts for dialogue.â?� Rating: 5

[texas grass]

France favors talks on Iran N-issue
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:53:18 GMT
French President Nicolas Sarkozy
French President Nicolas Sarkozy warns of Israeli attack on Iran and says 'negotiation' is the only way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue.

During a summit in Syria, Sarkozy said that despite different stances in the West on Iran's nuclear program, diplomacy is the only solution to settle the dispute.

Sarkozy warned that an Israeli attack on Iran would be a "catastrophe," saying Iran needs to prove that its nuclear program does not "deviate" from its original peaceful purposes. He also noted that the Islamic Republic should have the right to use nuclear energy.

Sarkozy said that the Israeli regime "will" attack Iran one day if the country "continues to seek nuclear technology." Sarkozy stressed that NATO does not plot to attack Iran and its members favor talks rather than the military approach to Iran's nuclear dispute.

Iran, as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is legally entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The West has repeatedly accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons.

ARQN/JG/RA

[flyingimam]

Sarkozy said that despite different stances in the West on Iran's nuclear program, diplomacy is the only solution to settle the dispute.

Sarkozy warned that an Israeli attack on Iran would be a "catastrophe," saying Iran needs to prove that its nuclear program does not "deviate" from its original peaceful purposes. He also noted that the Islamic Republic should have the right to use nuclear energy.

Iran, as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is legally entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The West has repeatedly accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons.
ARQN/JG/RA

I will have to agree, there must be a way to push these mullahs to get on the table, hopefully the next US admin will talk without preconditions... cuz otherwise diplomacy is in a deadlock and time will run out!