Livni in China
Photo: AP
Livni: Iranian clock quicker than sanctions
Foreign minister tells Chinese leaders, 'It is time to take stronger, more significant, immediate steps against Iran'
Any hesitation is interpreted by the Iranian regime as weakness and the moderate countries will try and satisfy Iran
in order to minimize the danger they are facing, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Tuesday during her visit to the Chinese capital of Beijing.
The foreign minister also focused on the Iranian nuclear crisis, saying that "in order for the diplomatic moves to be effective – and there appear to be effective signs in the moves taken so far – it is time to take stronger, more significant and immediate steps. Only then we will be able to tip the scales and influence the Iranian nuclear policy.
Livni met with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jieche, with whom she discussed ways to strengthen the economic, cultural and trade relations between Israel and China.
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"As we talk and the international community holds meetings on the issue, Iran is taking advantage of this time to obtain the knowledge and technology. Iran's technological clock is working faster than the diplomatic clock against it.
"The deciding point is not on the day of the bomb, but when they obtain the required technology, and the time for achieving this technology is significantly shorter than the time for obtaining the bomb," she said.
According to Livni, those who do not fear violent moves against Iran must support the sanctions and a firm and consistent diplomatic policy.
"The international community cannot afford a nuclear Iran. China, as a leading actor in the international arena, is very important. China has business activities in Iran, it can influence Iran and it is a permanent Security Council member. Iran is examining the world's conduct and its neighboring countries are also watching," the minister explained.
"A nuclear Iran will destabilize the situation in the Middle East, and this may have an unexpected effect on the supply of oil in the world, including in China, and on the strengthening of radical and separatist elements in every continent.
"There are also signs indicating that the development of the nuclear program will create a 'domino effect' of moderate countries opposing Iran, but working to satisfy it, and then a nuclear arms race will begin in the region," she added.
