JayB Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 "World should brace for possible war over Iran: France PARIS (AFP) — The world should brace for a possible war over the Iranian nuclear crisis but seeking a solution through talks should take priority, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday. "We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war," he said in an interview broadcast on French television and radio. "We must negotiate right to the end," with Iran, he said, but underlined that if Tehran possessed an atomic weapon, it would represent "a real danger for the whole world." Calling the nuclear standoff "the greatest crisis" of present times, the minister said: "We will not accept that the bomb is manufactured," and hinted that military plans were on the way. "We are trying to put in place plans which are the privilege of chiefs of staff and that is not for tomorrow," he said but stressed that although any attack on Iran was far from taking place, "It is normal for us to plan" for any eventuality. In Washington, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates took a more muted approach on Sunday. "I will tell you that I think the administration believes at this point that continuing to try and deal with the Iranian threat ... through diplomatic and economic means is by far the preferable approach," he said. Kouchner meanwhile said France wanted the European Union to prepare sanctions against Iran, outside the ambit of the UN Security Council, to force Tehran to forsake its nuclear ambitions. "We have decided that while negotiations are continuing ... to prepare eventual sanctions outside the ambit of UN sanctions. Our good friends, the Germans, suggested that," he said. The foreign minister also said leading French companies such as Total and Gaz de France had been urged not to undertake new work or contracts in Iran..." http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iN4GM3DfrF7M_a2ASOwVHkePq58g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaskadskyjKozak Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 The French grew a pair? Must be a hoax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClimbingPanther Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 they're just scared 'cause they're in range. all that business of banning headscarves and such? they should be scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underworld Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 they are going oui oui in their pants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaskadskyjKozak Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Iran a threat? It's all part of the fear-mongering of BushCo and the right wing war machine. They are as peaceful as lambs with no ill-intent for anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 (edited) So with actual proof that some kind of weapon exists, France is willing to do something other than stand on the sidelines and watch? Amazing. Edited September 17, 2007 by Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClimbingPanther Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Doug, didn't you actually do a study on this eventuality? Kinda makes you wonder what really happened to all those people getting "lost" in the mines. They're actually down there partying with a 10:1 ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayB Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Seems like it's just effective diplomacy to me. I'm sure that they're aware of the fact that their volte-face on this one will get Tehran's attention, and will be more effective at getting them to the table averting a real war than an infinite succession of firm-yet-ambiguous diplomopablum would be....if they don't sack Kouchner and immediately offer an extravagant litany of apologies and prostrations before the mullahs for his rash statements. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dechristo Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 Iran criticizes French war warning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 Hey Porter, I think I found out what happened to your missing meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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