"I would have thought that your answer would be 'yes' to sanctions on Iran," Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni told EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Wednesday afternoon after the latter attempted to dodge
| EU Policy Chief in Israel |
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| Solana: Iranian issue must not be ignored / Roni Sofer |
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EU foreign policy chief meets with Minister Mofaz in Jerusalem. Solana composing report on Tehran's nuclear progress, which will be submitted at the same time as UN nuclear watchdog's report. Reports to be used as basis for third round of sanctions against Islamic republic |
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a reporter's question regarding Iran during a joint press conference in Jerusalem.
Livni further stung the decidedly uncomfortable Solana by saying she disagreed with the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy's choice of response. The reporter in question had asked Solana to comment on the report he intends to present before the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Solana said in response that he was scheduled to meet with Iranian representatives in the coming weeks and would not comment on the report.
The incident happened after the pair emerged from a tête-à-tête meeting in Livni's office. Official sources told Ynet that during the one-on-one meeting between the two, Livni was told by Solana that he intended to begin the process of tightening the current sanctions on Iran. The sanctions would be put in place by either the UN Security Council or the EU itself.
Livni is concerned that the report - to be issued by International Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Mohamad ElBaradei - may sugar-coat the real situation in Iran. A dovish report will allow Russia and China to continue opposing additional sanctions against Iran.
Israel is concerned that ElBaradei will succeed in granting Iran more time to advance its quest for nuclear weapons unimpeded by a more robust sanctions regime.
During the press conference Livni said that it is up to the international community to push forward with sanctions on Iran as it speeds up its nuclear efforts.
The foreign minister also addressed the Palestinian track during the press conference. "Annapolis is only the launching of negotiations. Afterwards, we will return to the Road Map peace plan and most importantly to Palestinian's commitment to combat terrorism," she said.
"I don't like all parts of the Road Map, but it is the only plan that is acceptable to the international community and it is the basis for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"I am calling on Arab states to come be a part of Annapolis, to come support the Palestinians - this is something that they need," she said.
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