Euro leaders back Bush on Iran
Friday, 07 Dec 2007 11:38
An Iranian nuclear facility outside Isfahan
German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Nicolas Sarkozy have backed US president George Bush's claim that Iran remains a threat.
At a joint press conference in Paris the pair said Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons development programme was a risk to global security, despite an intelligence report suggesting otherwise.
Earlier this week a US national intelligence estimate (NIE) said evidence showed Tehran had abandoned its active pursuit of a nuclear weapons programme in 2003, reversing its previous stance on the issue.
Iran has insisted its current uranium enrichment activities are only intended to boost its nuclear energy programme, a stance which has attracted suspicion from the international community.
"Everyone is aware of the fact that the Iranian leadership wants a military nuclear program," Mr Sarkozy said yesterday.
"Notwithstanding the latest elements, everyone is fully conscious of the fact that there is a will among the Iranian leaders to obtain nuclear weapons."
Ms Merkel echoed his comments, saying "Iran continues to pose a danger" and urging further dialogue with Tehran on the issue.
Their stand will be welcomed by the White House, where Mr Bush's administration has been seeking to emphasise the ongoing threat it believes is posed by Iran.
"What we know right now for sure is that Iran is enriching uranium, which is fissile material, to get a bomb," spokesperson Dana Perrino said yesterday.
"This should not give us comfort."
Click here for a look at Iran's nuclear confrontation with the rest of the world.