French President Jacques Chirac
Photo: Reuters
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo: AP
Chirac suggests dialogue in Iran dispute
French president says international community should agree to dialogue with Iran in exchange for Tehran suspending enrichment
French President Jacques Chirac suggested Monday that the international community suspend the threat of UN sanctions in exchange for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment during negotiations.
Chirac suggested that both sides set an agenda for talks — and that both make a concession during the negotiations.
"I don't believe in a solution without dialogue," Chirac said on Europe-1 radio before heading to New York for the UN General Assembly.
Contingency Plan
Yitzhak Benhorin
It will take a few days, with thousands of sorties, satellite and laser-guided bombs will be aimed at targets – 1,500 already planned by Pentagon – and will try to infiltrate armed concrete, under which some of nuclear sites are hidden. Meanwhile, Washington launches diplomatic blitz in attempt to promote sanctions on Tehran
"We must, on the one hand, together, Iran and the six countries, meet and set an agenda for negotiations then start negotiations," he said. "Then, during these negotiations I suggest that the six renounce seizing the UN Security Council and Iran renounces uranium enrichment during negotiations."
'Iran is a great nation'
The permanent members of the UN Security Council — Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain — along with Germany, have been leading efforts to end the standoff. However the six have not been able to agree on what to do if Iran does not fall into line.The Bush administration, which is pushing for UN sanctions against Iran, has said it will join European-led negotiations with Iran only if it stops its uranium enrichment work first.
Iran insists it has a right to develop its enrichment program to generate electricity. But there is increased concern it wants to make weapons-grade uranium for nuclear warheads.
It was not immediately clear whether Chirac would meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his trip to New York.
"I am not pessimistic," Chirac said. "I think that Iran is a great nation and that we can find solutions through dialogue."
