Chirac urges world powers not to refer Iran to security council

[tocqueville]

Mon Sep 18, 3:46 AM ET

PARIS (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac has urged world powers not to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear programme, at the same time calling on Tehran to give up uranium enrichment.

"First we have to find an agenda for negotiation, then engage the negotiation and during that negotiation I propose that on the one hand the six refrain from referring the issue to the Security Council and that Iran renounce during the negotiation the enrichment of uranium," he said.

The six nations running talks with Tehran are the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.

It was the first time a European leader has clearly stated that the suspension of uranium enrichment is not a "precondition" for opening talks on the nuclear dossier.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060918/wl_mideast_afp/franceirannuclearunchirac_060918074329

[malaise]

1. Voltaire must be smiling in his grave

The French appear to be the only rational voice these days.

[leesa]

2. Oh oh. Freedom Fries again...

They're not letting us murder our selected Muslims again.

[Vidar]

3. Bravo Chirac!