Merkel says Iran threatens entire democratic world

[ECH1969]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the start of her first visit to Israel on Sunday that Iran threatens not only the Jewish state but the entire democratic world, one of her strongest statements to date.

Merkel spoke after meeting interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who expressed Israel's concern at Iran's nuclear programme. Israel, the United States and the European Union accuse Iran of trying to build an atom bomb. Tehran denies this.

"Iran is not just a threat to Israel, but also to the democratic countries of this world," Merkel said at the start of a two-day visit to Israel.

She said Germany and Israel were in total agreement when it came to the subject of Tehran's plans to produce nuclear fuel by enriching uranium, a process of purifying uranium for use in atomic power plants or weapons. "I don't see the slightest difference in the views of Germany and Israel," Merkel said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/1/30/worldupdates/2006-01-30T030459Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_-234394-1&sec=Worldupdates