Iran's alleged nuclear programme a world issue, says Blair
IRNA
London, June 4, IRNA - Prime Minister Tony Blair insisted Wednesday
that no country was threatening war against Iran but claimed that its
alleged nuclear programme was a world issue
"It is very, very important that Iran realises the seriousness of
the international community's intent on this issue. The IAEA has got
to be able without any conditions at all to carry out its work," he
told MPs.
Answering questions about last weekend's summit of the G8
industrialised countries, Blair said "nobody is threatening military
action in respect to Iran."
But he insisted that Iran had to understand that "the whole of
the world community - there is completely in unanimity on this at the
G8 - is not find it acceptable that the nuclear programme continues to
be delivered in Iran.
The Prime Minister was responding to a question from Liberal
Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, who insisted that the UK must have a
"balanced policy" in contrast to the US over the alleged nuclear
threat from Iran and North Korea.
In response, Blair widened the contention to included alleged
support for terrorism, and said Iran "have to understand we are very
very serious about the unacceptability of these activities."
"We have worked very long and hard about a proper dialogue with
the Iranian government and I welcome that and I think it is good to
do so," he said.
But he added that the engagement "has to be on the basis of being
absolutely upfront with them about the concerns we and the whole of
the international community have."
In his statement on the G8, Blair said that Russia had pledged at
the meeting in France to suspect nuclear fuel exports until Iran met
demands of the IAEA.
The summit "emphasized the proliferation implications of Iran's
advanced nuclear program and called on Iran to sign and implement an
IAEA additional protocol without delay and without conditions," he
said.
HC/JB
End
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