Bush vows to pursue diplomacy against Iran
Mr Bush’s statement came shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Tehran had enriched uranium and that it persists with related activities in defiance of the UN Security Council.
Mr Bush said the IAEA statement was important.
“It reminds the nations of the world that there is an ongoing diplomatic effort to convince the Iranians to give up their nuclear weapons ambitions,” he said.
“The world is united and concerned about their desire to have not only a nuclear weapon but the capacity to make a nuclear weapon or the knowledge to make a nuclear weapon.”
Mr Bush said he was not discouraged by Iran’s vow to continue despite global pressure. “I think the diplomatic options are just beginning,” Mr Bush said.
Asked if Mr Ahmadinejad was a man with whom he could work, Mr Bush said: “It’s going to be his choice eventually.”
Mr Bush has refused to rule out military action against Iran but emphasised the pursuit of diplomatic efforts. He said there are clear differences between Iran and Iraq, where the US led an invasion in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein.
Mr Bush said Iraq had ignored 16 UN Security Council resolutions to disarm, used weapons of mass destruction, was a threat to its neighbour and was shooting at US aircraft conducting overflights.
“There’s a difference between the two countries,” Mr Bush said.
“Iran’s desire to have a nuclear weapon is dangerous in my judgment.”
He said that diplomacy was his first choice.
France said it remains convinced that the crisis over Iran’s nuclear programme must be solved diplomatically.
The IAEA’s report that Iran has speeded up its enrichment programme is “a worrying situation for the entire international community”, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.
“We continue, nevertheless, to say to Iran that the door to negotiation is not closed.”
NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, did not offer any specific threat of sanctions against Iran, in part to avoid a rift with Russia and China. While Russia and China have been reluctant to endorse sanctions, the council’s three other veto-wielding members say a strong response is due.
As late as Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the primacy of the council, insisting the IAEA should continue to play a central role in the dispute. “It mustn’t shrug this role from its shoulders and pass it on to the UN Security Council,” Mr Putin said.
But a top French diplomat laid out a contrasting position that reflects US and British views: the Security Council should not only have the main say in dealing with Iran, but should start considering how to increase pressure. The diplomat said a UN resolution enforceable by military action would not automatically mean resorting to such action.
