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IRAN/NUCLEAR/SANCTIONS/UNSCR
Q. - Has Iran launched, as she maintained on Sunday, a space rocket which, in the near future, could be a nuclear delivery vehicle?
THE MINISTER - As you know, UNSCR 1737 of 23 December 2006 is very clear. We all voted against what Iran is doing not only in terms of nuclear activities but also of ballistic activities.
Regrettably, in his new report, Mr ElBaradei, the IAEA Director General, told us that Iran was very, very far from implementing the terms of UNSCR 1737. This is why I think there should be a second resolution. Our political directors had a meeting yesterday in London and there's a very good chance that very soon we'll be able to find an agreement, all together, including with the Russians, Chinese, Americans and British, to draw up a new resolution.
Q. - A resolution including economic sanctions?
THE MINISTER - Yes, economic sanctions. And moreover I note that these sanctions are starting to bear fruit since there's a debate going on in Iraq such as the country hasn't had for a long time.
The former president Mr Khatami, Mr Rafsanjani and his brother, the Supreme Guide and those close to him are starting to wonder whether President Ahmadinejad's radical line is the right one.
Q. - Is the American scenario vis-Ã -vis the Iranian nuclear sites ruled out?
THE MINISTER - It's absolutely not on the agenda today, we're negotiating a resolution on sanctions.
Q. - Iran is saying that if the United States makes an official request for negotiations, they will be ready to study it. Is that the more reasonable line you are citing?
THE MINISTER - That's what we've always said, talking about the double suspension: suspension of nuclear activities on the Iranian side, suspension of the sanctions on our side.
It's what President Chirac was the first to propose last September in New York.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN
Q. - Roland Dumas went to Iran last weekend, according to "Le Figaro". Was he on an official assignment? Has he informed you of any Iranian request?
THE MINISTER - No.
Q. - Is it true that you yourself apparently refused to go to Iran, even if M. Chirac had requested it, in order to launch a sort of parallel negotiation?
THE MINISTER - That's never been contemplated. It must be clearly understood that France has never had the intention of negotiating alone on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Q. - The UN, nothing but the UN, the whole UN.
THE MINISTER - First of all the EU3, i.e. Germany, the United Kingdom and France with the Europeans and then, obviously, the United Nations Security Council. We can't, mustn't go it alone in a matter like this one and all our partners are doing as we are.
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