22.01.2007

What Foreign Leaders are Saying About Iran

France

Excerpt from a statement by Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy regarding UNSC Resolution 1737:

"The measures decided on this evening by the Security Council aim to prevent any further foreign contribution, in any form whatsoever, to sensitive nuclear and ballistic activities by Iran. The resolution also imposes financial sanctions on the bodies and individuals responsible for these activities. Finally, the resolution strengthens the IAEA's powers in its verification efforts.

"Today our objective remains, more than ever, to convince Iran to comply with its international commitments. With this resolution, the Security Council offers Iran a clear choice: to cooperate with the international community or to pursue its enrichment and reprocessing activities at the risk of increased isolation." [1]

Germany

Excerpts from a speech by Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the German Bundestag on the subject of disarmament and non-proliferation (Oct. 19, 2006):

"...Europe, and Germany particularly, have a special responsibility in this task. We want to pursue an active disarmament policy to prevent the risk of a nuclear arms race in other regions of the world."

"…as we have emphasized time and again, we do not deny Tehran the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful ends, but we wish to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons under this pretext." [2]

Excerpt from a statement issued by German Foreign Minister Steinmeier regarding UN Resolution 1737 (Dec.23, 2006)

"I welcome today's UN Security Council decision on Iran's nuclear programme. This resolution became necessary following Iran's refusal to comply with the international community's demands.

The fact that the resolution was unanimously adopted after difficult negotiations is at the same time an important signal of the world community's solidarity in this regard." [3]

Canada

Excerpts from a statement issued by The Honourable Peter MacKay, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding UN Resolution 1737:

"Canada fully supports the Resolution adopted today by the UNSC. Iran's non-compliance with its international obligations will not be tolerated.

"Canada will ensure that all measures contained in the Resolution are implemented through Canadian domestic law within the 60-day deadline and urges all UN member states to do likewise." [4]

Australia

Excerpt from a statement issued by The Hon. Alexander Downer, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, regarding the implementation of UN Resolution 1737:

"The unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council on 23 December 2006 of a firm resolution imposing sanctions on Iran's nuclear and missile programs underscores the international community's commitment to addressing concerns about Iran's nuclear activities.

"The adoption of resolution 1737 follows Iran's failure to comply with Security Council Resolution 1696 which made mandatory the suspension of all Iran's uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities." [5]

United Kingdom

Excerpt of a speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair to business leaders in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dec. 20, 2006):

"Here are elements of the Government of Iran openly supporting terrorism in Iraq to stop a fledgling democratic process, trying to turn out a democratically elected Government in Lebanon, flaunting the international community's desire for peace in Palestine - at the same time as denying the Holocaust and trying to acquire a nuclear weapon capability: and yet a huge part of world opinion is frankly almost indifferent. It would be bizarre if it weren't so deadly serious.

"We have in my view to wake up. These forces of extremism - based on a warped and wrong-headed misinterpretation of Islam - aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us, "us" being not just the West, still less simply America and its allies, but "us", as all those worldwide who believe in tolerance, respect for others and liberty.
"We must mobilise our alliance of moderation in this region and outside of it to defeat the extremists. Nothing matters more. Nothing should stand in the way of it. Nothing should be more galvanising of our collective will." [6]

Excerpt from an op-ed by UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett regarding Iran's attempts to develop an offensive nuclear weapons capability (Dec.23, 2006):

The possibility that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons presents a challenge we cannot ignore.

 

Many countries in the Middle East - not just Israel - feel threatened by Iran's increasingly malign role in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. They wonder how much worse it would be if Ahmadinejad acquired a nuclear arsenal. I find it unthinkable that a man who questions the existence of the Holocaust should ever possess the weapons to repeat it. [7]

Excerpt of a statement from UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett regarding UNSC Resolution 1737 (Dec. 23, 2006):

'Iran has failed to take the steps required by the IAEA Board and the Security Council, and chosen not to engage with the generous and far reaching proposals we have presented which would open the door to a negotiated solution. Iran has continued and expanded its uranium enrichment programme, when it is obliged to suspend it fully.

'Today's Resolution is another significant step in holding the Iranian government to its obligations. The sanctions it introduces are aimed at restricting Iran's ability to develop nuclear and missile technologies that could be used in a weapons programme." [8]

 

References

 

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[1] “Adoption of sanctions on Iran by the Security Council,” Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, France diplomatie, Dec. 23, 2006.

[2] “Speech by Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeyer to the German Bundestag on the subject of disarmament and non-proliferation,” Federal Foreign Office, Oct. 19, 2006.

[3]“UN Security Council adopts resolution on Iran's nuclear programme,” Federal Foreign Office, Dec. 27, 2006. 

[4] “Canada Fully Supports UN Resolution on Sanctions against Iran,” Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Dec. 23, 2006.

[5] “Australia to Implement UN Security Council Resolution on Iran,” Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dec. 24, 2006.

[6] “Speech to Business Leaders in Dubai,” 10 Downing Street, Dec. 20, 2006.

[7] Margaret Beckett, “Foreign Secretary’s response to UN Resolution 1737 adopting sanctions against Iran,” UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dec. 23, 2006.

[8] “Beckett Welcomes UN Resolution 1737 on Iran,” UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dec. 23, 2006.