Gillerman: Iran’s statement ‘appalling’
Israel’s ambassador to the U.N submits letter to organization calling for Iran’s removal; says, ‘No member state that calls for violence, death, and destruction deserves seat in this civilized body. In meeting with Silvan Shalon, French foreign minister says he was deeply offended, shocked by Iranian president's remark; reports say Bush Administration opposed to Iran’s removal, but U.S. officials estimate latest controversy will make it easier on international community to increase pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear program
Danny Gillerman, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., submitted a letter to the organization Thursday in which he called for Iran’s removal in light of recent remarks made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said, ‘the State of Israel should be wiped off the map.’
“It is appalling that a leader of a U.N. member state would call for the destruction of another member state,” Gillerman said in a letter submitted to the organization.
“The U.N. aspires to unite peace-loving states, reflected in Charter when it calls to be ‘determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind,’” the letter said.
“This outrageous statement contradicts the international community’s efforts to instill peace and security to the Middle East and learn the horrific lessons of war.
“This malicious statement warrants a resolute and strong response from the international community. No member state that calls for violence, death, and destruction, as the President of Iran did yesterday, deserves a seat in this civilized body, the United Nations,” Gillerman said.
'The real France'
Earlier French Foreign Minister Phillipe Douste-Blazy told Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom that he was "Shocked and deeply offended by the remark made by the Iranian president."
"I summoned the Iranian ambassador and made it clear to him that no one has the right to speak that way and undermine the right of the State of Israel to exist," the French foreign minister told Shalom during their meeting in Paris.
Shalom praised Douste-Balzy's condemnation on Wednesday. According to Shalom, the French response led to the creation of an international front of condemnations against the declaration made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel should be wiped from the map.
"Iran may be trying to create the impression that it only has a conflict with Israel, but the international response stressed that Iran constitutes a danger to the entire world," he said.
"It is impossible to estimate the extent of your declaration's contribution. It presents Israel with the real face of France," Shalom added.
Shalom spoke to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan Thursday and demanded that he condemn Iran's remarks.
The remarks again exposed Iran's true face, Shalom said, adding that the international community must make its voice heard by condemning the statement and taking concrete steps against it.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the Bush Administration is opposed to Iran’s removal from the U.N., but U.S. officials estimate that the latest controversy will make it easier on the international community to increase its pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear program.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormick said that instead of removing Iran from the U.N., it should be encouraged to stop its pursuit of nuclear weapons and stop supporting terror.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki backed Ahmadinejad's remarks, saying the Zionist regime is illegitimate.
The minister also criticized negative international reactions to the president's statements.
Roee Nahmias and Associated Press contributed to the report
