Q - US intelligence published a report yesterday saying that the Iranians froze their military nuclear program in 2003. I'd like your comment on the report and especially the fact that it seems to contradict what's being said in Paris--and not only in Paris--about how far along Iran is and its intention of acquiring a nuclear weapon.

I want to say first that since 2003 the international community has based its action on facts, in particular the facts reported by the IAEA, not on an assessment of Iran's intentions. As the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency shows, we can see that Iran has not always answered all the questions that were asked about its past and present activities. We note, with the Agency, that Iran is pursuing its efforts to master enrichment technology. In the circumstances, it appears that Iran is not respecting its international obligations, and our position therefore remains unchanged. We must keep up the pressure on Iran. I refer you to what I said yesterday following the meeting of the E3 + 3 in Paris on Saturday: we will continue preparing a resolution of binding measures in the framework of the United Nations.

Q - You say the United Nations. Does that mean there will be no more contacts at other levels of the international community?

Just because we're working at the UN doesn't mean that we're not also working within the European context. This has been the case all along, and will continue to be.

Q - With all due respect to the IAEA which moreover has had a few set-backs in its assessment in other areas, there are 16 agencies, significant ones, in the US intelligence community, which have made this assessment. Even at the level of US policy, it upsets the given for the democrats in the US. Are you still not shifting a tad after this assessment?

Our position remains unchanged. As for your analysis of what's happening in the US, that's your view, and I have no comment.

Q - As far as France's position is concerned, you say it's not changing as a result of the US intelligence report. What's the next step and when do you hope to adopt a new resolution, if there's to be a new resolution?

That will depend on the talks. There too, I refer you to what I said yesterday: discussions are going on between capitals on preparing the draft resolution of binding measures. I can't say more, it will depend on how the talks go.

Q - Russia's political director was absent Saturday because of bad weather. Have you been in contact with him since?

Yes, absolutely. On Sunday, the two political directors spoke by phone. Russia is fully party to this exercise as always in talks in the E3 + 3 format.

Q - So they fully share the consensus reached in Paris Saturday?

Absolutely.

Q - Can we deduce from your statement today that French intelligence has different information to that of the US with regard to Iran's military program?

You've a lot of imagination! Your deductions are your own. I would like to add, because I've not yet said so, that intelligence assessments, in general, do not requireme particular comment on our part.

So I repeat our position: we observe, in particular thanks to the IAEA report, that Iran it not resepcting its international obligations. We are continuing our demarche, which you're perfectly familiar with and which means both negotiations and the adoption of eventual binding measures at the UN. This is what's now being prepared in the wake of the Saturday meeting. It's also the continuation of the September 28 meeting in New York. Our position remains unchanged. There is no new element today to cause us to alter this position.

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Q - When Mr. ElBaradei's report was handed in, the IAEA said it had no information about Iran's military program. [Defense Minister] Morin said he had intelligence to the contrary. Hasn't the time come to explain the French authorities' position?

We could forward this message to the Defense Ministry but, as I said, I've nothing further to add.

Q - The Chinese have stated they are still against the idea of sanctions (…).

To my knowledge, the Chinese have not changed position since last Saturday's meeting and as it turns out, thanks to the consensus that was reached, we shall be working together on preparing a resolution of binding measures.