Chirac backs easing pressure on Iran to protect UNIFIL troops

[Behind the Aegis]

French President Jacque Chirac has announced his support for lessening pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program, for fear Hezbollah will strike at French troops serving in Lebanon, according to information recently received in Jerusalem. According to reports, Chirac proposed sending a special envoy to Tehran to reach understandings that would protect the French soldiers serving in in the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

A government source said Chirac's position is controversial in Paris, with the French Foreign Ministry continuing to support a hard line with regard to the Iranian nuclear program, a position also expressed Wednesday by the French ambassador to Israel, Jean-Michel Casa, in an interview with Haaretz.

Chirac told reporters at the end of January that it would not be terrible if Iran had a nuclear bomb or two, but quickly reversed himself following protests from officials at home. Israeli experts said that the link Chirac is making between French presence in Lebanon and the closing down of Iran's nuclear program shows the shortcomings of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the second Lebanon war. According to one expert, Israel "begged the French to send soldiers to Lebanon" and end up paying for it by damaging its strategic interests. Israel is conducting an intensive international diplomatic effort to increase sanctions on Iran, in an attempt to put a stop to its nuclear program.

About two weeks ago, the United States under secretary of state for arms control and international security, Robert Joseph, visited Israel with his successor, John Rood, now chief of international security in the State Department. They two were briefed by Israeli experts on Iran's domestic situation and discussed ways of promoting sanctions.


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[hogwyld]

1. And why should Israel have the monopoly

on "nukular" weapons in the ME? France is wise to try to find a peaceful way to end the conflict in Lebanon, which Israel started BTW.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Why shouldn't they?

I haven't seen Israel threatening to remove any group from the "pages of history." As for you comment, at least you got half of it right, France should encourage a peaceful end to the conflict in Lebanon. The second part of that sentence is nothing more than revisionism.

[PLF]

3. The Isrealis are actively committing genocide in Palestine.

[Solo_in_MD]

4. Have to wonder why anyone give UNIFIL any credability anymore

Taking it over was little more than a PR stunt. Its as ineffective as its predecessor.

[ohio2007]

5. Chirac remembers how his Multi National Peacekeepers were treated by Iranian influence

They don't want a repeat of 1983 as they have a lot more to lose this time around.

btw
Doesn't protecting his French troops ( with deals now ) focus more concentrated pressure elsewhere for other members of UNIFIL ?
just wondering

-money trumps peace

[ohio2007]

6. Japan approves sanctions increasing pressure on Iran

<snip>
IAEA Executive Director Mohammed ElBaradei is due to report on February 21 on Iran's compliance with the U.N. demands. Instead of halting enrichment, as the U.N. has demanded, the Islamic republic has taken steps to move from research to full-scale enrichment, upping the stakes in a stand-off with the West.

<snip>
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Feb. 11 that the country won't start negotiations about its nuclear program until conditions for talks imposed by the UN are lifted.

<snip>
http://english.pravda.ru/world/asia/16-02-2007/87471-japan_sanctions_Iran-0

Less than five days left til the UN action deadline and the European side of the UN wants 'deals' while the Pacific side of the UN wants 'action'

What will the UN Secretary General ( a S.Korean) decide ?