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STATEMENT BY German Federal Foreign Minister FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER on the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate of the Iranian nuclear program

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

December 4, 2007

 

The US intelligence agencies released their joint analysis of the Iranian nuclear programme on Monday, 3 December. Federal Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement on the report Tuesday (4 December) in Berlin:

"It must be the shared goal of the international community to prevent nuclear armament in the Middle East. Iran must guarantee that no threat to its neighbours or world peace emanates from its soil. If Iran generates the necessary confidence that this is the case, we are willing to enter into comprehensive political and economic cooperation. That has always been the EU position and it has recently also been embraced by the United States, Russia, and China. It is quite apparent that this resolve has made an impression on the political leadership in Iran.

The assessment released yesterday by the American intelligence agencies offers the chance to inject new momentum into the nuclear talks with Iran. All sides are now called upon to act wisely and not to squander this opportunity.

I appeal to the Iranian leadership to continue to cooperate with the IAEA and to answer the still outstanding questions about its nuclear programme quickly and comprehensively.

Together we must look for ways to put the talks back on track following the disappointing meeting between Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. In this situation particularly we cannot afford a breakdown in communications.

The report, however, also makes clear that only by maintaining a firm position can the international community move Iran to set out along the path of confidence-building. We cannot allow any doubt to be cast on this firm position. Our hand therefore remains outstretched to Iran. Together with our partners in the EU3+3 group, however, we will continue to consider how Iran can be urged to meet its obligations vis-à-vis the UN Security Council."