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Europe Preparing Stiff Reponse To Iran

11 January 2006 -- Diplomats from Britain, France, and Germany today prepared their response to Iran's resumption of nuclear activities ahead of a meeting on the subject in Berlin tomorrow.

The three European powers, along with the United States and Russia, are unhappy over Iran's decision to abandon the moratorium on its nuclear activities involving uranium enrichment.

European Union foreign policy head Javier Solana said at ministerial talks in Brussels today that Europe will send a "clear signal" to Iran.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he may seek to have Iran brought before the UN Security Council, which could possibly lead to sanctions.

"The decision by Iran is very serious indeed,” Blair said. “I don't think there is any point in people or us hiding our deep dismay at what Iran has decided to do, and when taken in conjunction with their other comments about the state of Israel, they cause real and serious alarm right across the world."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov today said that Iran's move "disappoints" him and also instills in him a "certain alarm."

German Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler says that European negotiators cannot continue talks with Iran unless it promises not to begin enriching uranium.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today said that Iran is not afraid of Western uproar and will continue its nuclear activities.

(Agencies)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org