The French Foreign Ministry reiterated on Tuesday that France
believes only in diplomacy in the search for a solution to the
Iranian nuclear issue.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has made it clear
that only by means of diplomatic efforts, could the nuclear
standoff with Tehran be resolved.
The stand remains the same and "there is no ambiguity" about
that, Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei told
reporters.
According to a US press report, a number of EU countries are
apparently opposed to the demand from Washington that they reduce
trade with Iran and freeze some assets owned by Iranian
companies.
Mattei said that the punitive measures proposed by the United
States were based on American law rather than on any UN Security
Council resolutions. It is therefore of no effect in Europe, he
said.
France and the other EU countries do have a common stand of
their own that is to strictly carry out Resolution 1737 adopted by
the UN Security Council, the spokesman said, adding that the
27-member bloc is discussing a joint move.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23,
2006, demanding Iran to "suspend all enrichment-related and
reprocessing activities, including research and development, and
work on all heavy water-related projects."
The EU ministers met last week, saying they welcomed Resolution
1737 and agreed to impose sanctions requested by the world body,
including a ban on transactions with Iran and a freeze on assets of
individuals and entities covered by the criteria in the
resolution.
The ministers also said the EU must suspend the measures should
Iran halt all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)
