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IRAN / NUCLEAR ISSUE

What is the status of the new resolution on Iran? Insofar as the question of Israel's security was evoked with Ehud Barak, did he talk about or discuss the Iranian problem as Ms. Livni did in Davos?

We didn't discuss the Iranian issue in detail with Mr. Barak.

And what about the resolution?

The E3+3 meeting in Berlin ended on a very positive note as the Six reached an agreement to bring a draft resolution to the UN. However, you will understand that I can't go into it in detail as discussions are under way in New York. The idea was presented to Security Council members and a text is being drafted.

So the work is under way at the UN, on a priority basis, and we hope the Security Council will adopt a resolution very soon.

Are you talking about weeks, months or days?

I can't give you an exact timetable because it depends when the text is finalized and on the evolution of discussions in New York. Currently, we're working on and finalizing the draft resolution. Naturally, as with all such drafts, there are discussions. Some resolutions are adopted very quickly, others less so. So I'm incapable of telling you at this point how many days, or perhaps weeks, it will take to adopt this resolution. Obviously we hope it will be soon.

The problem is that there are different assessments of the Berlin E3+3 on Iran. The Russians have a different explanation from the British and the Germans. What is your assessment of this agreement? Would you say it contains new sanctions? The Russians say there will be no new sanctions and that it's therefore not binding, while others say there will be new sanctions. I can't make heads or tails of it! What is going on, exactly?

The Six have agreed that there will be new sanctions, but I can't go into detail, and I won't be able to until the resolution is adopted.

During Mr. Kouchner's press briefing following his meeting with Mr. Barak, he said, "Real progress has been made. Without revealing the content of the draft resolution that must first be discussed at the UN Security Council (as I just said), you will see that there are both new and specific sanctions and also the encouragement of dialogue."

So as you can see, our approach remains that of combining dialogue and firmness, and the Six have agreed to include new sanctions in a Security Council resolution.

So you're talking about new sanctions and not the extension of already existing ones?

When I say "new sanctions," I mean "new sanctions." That means there will be more than what already exist. In any case, let's allow the talks to move forward. It's not standard practice to give reporters scoops on Security Council resolutions.

With respect to the new draft, do you share the minister's view that it's something minimal?

I haven't heard that. Let me read you what he said: "New and specific sanctions and also an encouragement of dialogue. Frankly, I think this represents obvious progress." The minister was very clear. He was satisfied with the meeting of the Six.

As you know, some countries had reservations. When these types of discussions get underway, we cannot know the outcome, and the fact that there was a result, with an agreement by the Six, is really positive. Let's look at the positive aspects of this type of exercise rather than always trying to see its limitations. Let's measure the progress that's being made and try to move forward together.

One of the aspects a diplomatic source commented on, not necessarily in Paris, was that the agreement was reached by diluting part of the text on which there was no agreement. The Russians wanted to withdraw the reference to arms sales and the Chinese don't want to mention certain transactions. Did that influence the fact that there is now a text?

In any diplomatic negotiations of this kind, you have extreme positions that have to be reconciled. Some want to go as far as possible, others to do as little as possible. When an agreement is reached, it rarely goes along with the most extreme positions. The important thing is for there to be a draft agreement on sanctions because that sends a message of firmness to Iran. That's what we wanted. If we hadn't agreed to work on a sanctions resolution in the Security Council, we wouldn't have been able to send a message of firmness. We are taking the exact approach we wanted, combining dialogue and firmness. We have been making proposals to the Iranians for a long time. The Iranians have rejected our proposal to hold a dialogue. This agreement shows that our determination, the firmness of our approach and the unity of the international community remain intact.