. . .

It is this same sense of responsibility and commitment which drives us to take up the challenge posed to regional security by the proliferation risks.

As I have said on several occasions, I share Israel's legitimate concerns in the face of the unacceptable statements made by the Iranian president, both his anti-Semitic statements and appeals for the destruction of Israel. Once again, I utterly condemn them.

Iran is pursuing a programme of fissile material enrichment which is arousing legitimate international concerns.

Our sole objective is to persuade Iran to comply with her international commitments: an Iran with a military nuclear capability is unacceptable. In close coordination with the other Europeans, the Americans, Russians and Chinese, we have presented Tehran with some ambitious proposals.

Confronted with the Iranian refusal to respond to this offer by suspending her enrichment activities, we have faced up to our responsibilities. A new United Nations Security Council resolution is under preparation. I am calling for the rapid adoption of this text which is to provide for progressive, targeted and reversible sanctions.

In this new phase, we shall have to maintain the international community's unity, since on it depends our action's legitimacy and thus its efficacy.

. . .