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The EU-3: the U.K., French and German Perspectives on the Iran Issue

February 10, 2006

Compiled by IONP

On January 13, 2006, the United Kingdom, France and Germany (the EU-3), circulated the "E3/EU Statement on the Iran Nuclear Issue" at the IAEA stating that Iran's decision to restart its enrichment activity was "a clear rejection of the process the E3/EU and Iran have been engaged in for over two years with the support of the international community." The statement stated further that Iran continues to challenge the authority of the IAEA Board and stressed the need to respond firmly to this challenge. According to the statement, the involvement of the Security Council had become necessary to reinforce the authority of IAEA resolutions. The EU countries also signaled their intention to call for an "Extraordinary IAEA Board meeting with a view for it to take the necessary action to that end". In response to this intervention, a special meeting was held from February 2-4, 2006. That meeting led leading to the adoption of a resolution prepare by the EU3 which called for Iran to be reported to the Security Council.

While emphasizing the need to refer Iran to the Security Council, EU member states--including the EU-3 who have been most actively involved in the issue--have expressed their general desire to reach peaceful settlement of the dispute. In an interview British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw expressed the hope that the referral to the Security Council and other diplomatic pressure will bring the Iranians back to the negotiating table. The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that the Iran issue should be referred to the Security Council because negotiations to date have not achieved an acceptable result. However, [according to Steinmeier?] Germany remains concerned over an escalation of the crisis and did not currently favor a Security Council resolution or economic sanctions.

Of the EU-3 states, the French government has been the most assertive about pressing Iran for cooperation. A French foreign ministry spokesperson expressed Paris's hope to see a firm, united and swift response from the international community. A week after the E3 statement was circulated French President Jacques Chirac said that France was prepared to launch a nuclear strike against any country that sponsors a terrorist attack against French interests. However, this comment was perceived with some skepticism. One analyst noted that "It's not a speech you give if you're trying to convince people not to acquire nuclear weapons."[1]

[1] Comment made by Francois Heisbourg, of the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research; quoted in Molly Moore, "Chirac: Nuclear Response to Terrorism Is Possible," Washington Post , January 20, 2006, <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/19/AR2006011903311.html.>


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