Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his French
counterpart, Bernard Kouchner, on Tuesday expressed opposition to
military action against Iran.
Their comments appear to be aimed at lowering the tension raised
by Kouchner's remarks on Sunday that France had to prepare for the
possibility of war against Iran.
There is no problem in the world today, including the Iranian
nuclear problem, that has a military solution, Interfax news agency
quoted Lavrov as saying.
Any military action is out of the question, at least as far as
France is concerned, Kouchner said, noting that a war against Iran
would be the most horrible development.
The top French diplomat suggested increasing pressure on Iran by
imposing serious and very tough sanctions.
Lavrov, however, said the Kremlin believes that Iran is fairly
fulfilling the requirements of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) on its nuclear project.
"According to the IAEA director general, the agreement is being
implemented fairly well and we want the process to be completed
without any hindrance," he was quoted as saying.
Washington has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons
under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. While threatening to
keep all options open, including military action, the Bush
administration said that it is focusing on diplomatic means to try
to resolve the standoff.
Iran, which always denies US charges, insists that its nuclear
program is for peaceful purposes only.
A couple of United Nations Security Council resolutions have
been passed to punish Iran for its defiance over the nuclear
issue.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is seen as taking a tougher
stance on Iran than his predecessor Jacques Chirac. During his
first major foreign policy speech last month, Sarkozy said that a
diplomatic push by the international community was the only
alternative to "an Iranian bomb or the bombing of Iran."
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2007)
