Q. - Philippe Douste-Blazy, you're our Foreign Minister, have you found a closed door on the Iranian side?
THE MINISTER - Look, Iran has this evening taken a unilateral decision which is very serious and worrying, because we have received an official reply rejecting the comprehensive proposals we put forward on 5 August. And the tone of the reply is particularly alarming, totally contrary to the spirit in which we were conducting the dialogue with Iran. We also learned a few hours ago that uranium conversion operations have resumed at the Isfahan plant. This is quite simply a clear violation of the Paris agreement and the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency which called for the suspension of sensitive activities.
Q. - What is going to happen tomorrow, in Vienna, at this IAEA meeting?
THE MINISTER - First we shall say that, as concerns the resumption of activities related to the production of nuclear fissile materials, Iran has never been able to explain the necessity of proceeding with the conversion and enrichment of uranium in a country where there is no reactor for the generation of electricity. So this new situation can only increase the doubts as to the objectives of the Iranian programme. We were for a civilian nuclear programme, but not for a military nuclear programme.
Q. - Does that mean, Philippe Douste-Blazy - excuse me -, that you don't believe in the good faith of the Iranians when they say their purpose is civilian nuclear production?
THE MINISTER - Since there is no nuclear power plant in the country, it's obviously difficult to think so. In fact this new situation runs counter to the restoration of confidence which was central to the process initiated by Europe with the active support of the international community. And this evening, I call on Iran one last time to heed the voice of reason, dialogue and agreement through consultation, and to return without delay to full respect for the Paris agreement. You should know that France and her partners for their part remain totally committed to that document and its spirit. Tomorrow, there will be a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors. I had requested, we had requested this extraordinary meeting. It has been called, and will take place tomorrow in Vienna. The international community will react, it will decide what to do following the Iranian decision. I personally hope it will show itself united and firm, in the face of a grave crisis, deliberately provoked by Iran.
Q. - Philippe Douste-Blazy, is this the final appeal you're making tonight on behalf of the Troika?
THE MINISTER - Yes, it's the final appeal I'm making, because we've kept faith, to the end. The Board of Governors will discuss the text of a resolution calling on Iran to return to the suspension of sensitive activities, which the Agency has long and repeatedly asked her to do. After that will come the problem of the Security Council. I have always said that the Security Council might have to deal with the Iranian issue.
Q. - Are you now, like the United States, in favour of referring the matter to the Security Council?
THE MINISTER - In any event, if Iran does not respond to the call for negotiations, I am ready, personally, to really make myself available to all concerned in an effort to save this situation. There are too many people in the world today who are looking to radicalize their positions, on one side or the other. Europe (...) is determined to keep faith to the end. So it is for the IAEA Board of Governors, when the time comes, to refer this question to the Security Council, in the light of developments. We are members of the Board of Governors, we shall make our views known tomorrow, you may rest assured, with our partners.
Q. - So Iran has 24 hours to respond to your call.
THE MINISTER - Absolutely!