Europe’s Response to Iranian Policy - 12.01.2007

12.01.2007

Europe’s Response to Iranian Policy

While violating United Nations resolutions to halt uranium enrichment and banning nuclear inspectors from Iran’s nuclear facilities, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a direct threat to Europe over its support for Israel.  In a nationally broadcast address in mid-October, he said:

“You should believe that this regime (Israel) cannot last and has no more benefit to you. What benefit have you got in supporting this regime, except the hatred of the nations?

“We have advised the Europeans that the Americans are far away, but you are the neighbours of the nations in this region.

“We inform you that the nations are like an ocean that is welling up, and if a storm begins, the dimensions will not stay limited to Palestine, and you may get hurt.” [1]

European leaders took the remarks seriously, as they have other comments Ahmadinejad has made since taking power. Here is what they had to say about Iran, its threat to Israel, its nuclear program, and related issues.
 

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Blair on Iran’s nuclear programme and its threat to world peace:

“If Iran were to develop nuclear weapons capability it would pose a very serious threat to world stability and peace—I don't think there is any doubt about that at all. There's their nuclear weapons capability and refusal to co-operate with the Atomic Energy Authority.”

“There is their support of terrorism around the Middle East and there is their meddling in Iraq.”

“On each of those three issues we have real genuine cause for concern.” [2]

Prime Minister Blair on Ahmadinejad’s remarks against Israel and on nuclear technology:

“If they continue down this path, then people are going to believe that they are a real threat to our world security and stability.

“They may believe... the eyes of the world will be elsewhere, but I felt a real sense of revulsion at those remarks.

“Their attitude towards Israel, their attitude towards terrorism, their attitude on the nuclear weapons issue—it isn't acceptable.

“Can you imagine a state like that with an attitude like that having a nuclear weapon?”  [3]

A spokesman for Prime Minister Blair said:

“Unfortunately these remarks do not come as a surprise. They are consistent with what Mr. Ahmadinejad has said for some time... It's why we take the issue of Iran in general so seriously and the possibility of it acquiring nuclear weaponry so seriously and why the prime minister believes the world must be as united in its message to Iran as it has been in its message to North Korea.” [4]


Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Ahmadinejad’s remarks against Israel and his nuclear ambitions:

“Looking back to German history in the early 1930s when National Socialism was on the rise, there were many outside Germany who said, ‘It’s only rhetoric —don’t get excited’…there were times when people could have reacted differently and, in my view, Germany is obliged to do something at the early stages…We want to, we must prevent Iran from developing its nuclear programme.”

“Iran has blatantly crossed the red line…I say it as a German chancellor. A president who questions Israel’s right to exist, a president who denies the Holocaust cannot expect to receive any tolerance from Germany.” [5]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Iran’s refusal to cooperate with U.N inspectors:

“It is regrettable that Iran has not yet responded to any of the demands of the international community. For that reason, we had no choice but to pursue sanctions in the U.N. Security Council.”

“There must be no Iranian nuclear programme.” [6]


France

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy says Iran’s nuclear programme is for military purposes:

“No civil nuclear programme can explain the Iranian nuclear programme. It is a clandestine military nuclear programme.

“The international community has sent a very strong message to the Iranians— show reason, suspend all nuclear activities and uranium enrichment. And they're not listening to us.

“That is the reason why, for the first time for days, the international community is united. It's not just the Europeans—France, Germany and the British—it's also Russia and China.” [7]


European Union Commission

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external relations commissioner, on imposing sanctions on Iran:

“Unfortunately Iran has shown that... for the moment, at least, it doesn't plan to cooperate on the nuclear issue, and it's clear that on a matter of such importance the international community cannot stand idly by.”  [8]

“The most important thing is to have a united response, as we showed with North Korea. We must show Iran that the international community is completely determined to remain united. We offered a very attractive package which could be beneficial for Iran, but up to now we have not received an acceptance.” [9]
 

Russia

Marshall Igor Sergeyev, former Russian defence minister, on the Iranian threat to Russia:

“Russia is more interested than the U.S. in Iran not having nuclear weapons because even those rockets that Tehran has today can reach the territory of our country.” [10]

 

References

[1] Beeston, Richard, “You could get hurt for backing Israel, Iran leader tells Europe,” The Times of London, Oct. 21, 2006.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2414307.html

[2] “Blair outlines his Iran concerns,” BBC, November 22, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4460022.stm

[3] “Blair 'revulsion' at Iran remarks,” BBC, October 27, 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4380306.stm

[4] The Times of London, Oct. 21, 2006, ibid.

[5] Conradi, Peter, “Iran as bad as Nazis: Merkel,” The Times of London, February 5, 2006.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2025730,00.html

[6] Karimi, Nasser, “Iran confirms expansion of nuke programme,” The Guardian, October 25, 2006.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6171040,00.html

[7] “France steps up rhetoric on Iran,” BBC, February 16, 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4718838.stm

[8] Fickling, David, and news agencies, “EU urges diplomatic way forward on Iran,” The Guardian, September 1, 2006.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,,1863099,00.html

[9] Taylor, Paul, “EU backs limited nuclear sanctions against Iran,” Reuters, October 17, 2006.

[10] “Iranian nuclear weapons are more of a threat to Russia than to the U.S.,” Pravda, May 24, 2006.
http://www.pravda.ru/news/world/24-05-2006/85519-sergeev-0

 

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