USA: United States, Britain and France accuse Iran of building secret nuclear fuel plant

Record ID: 313590

  • Title: USA: United States, Britain and France accuse Iran of building secret nuclear fuel plant
  • Date: 26th September 2009
  • Summary: PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA; UNITED STATES (SEP. 25, 2009) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY AND UK PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN WALK ON TO STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "Good morning. We are here to announce that yesterday in Vienna, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France presented detailed evidence to the IAEA demonstrating that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been building a covert uranium enrichment facility near Qom for several years." SIDE SHOT OF OBAMA (SOUNDBITE) (English)US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "Iran must comply with UN security council resolutions. to make clear that it is willing to meet its responsibilities as a member of the community of nations. We have offered Iran a clear path, toward greater international integration, if it lives up to its obligations, and that offer stands. But the Iranian government must now demonstrate through deed, its peaceful intentions. SIDE SHOT OF SARKOZY (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY SAYING: "Everything must be put in the table now. We can not let Iranian leaders gain time while the motors are running. If by December there is not in-depth change by the Iranian leaders, sanctions will have to be taken." SIDE SHOT OF BROWN (SOUNDBITE) (English)UK PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN SAYING: "And I say on behalf of of the United Kingdom today, we will not let this matter rest. And, we are prepared to implement further and more stringent sanctions. Let the message that goes out to the world be absolutely clear. that Iran must abandon any military ambitions for its nuclear program. PAN OF REPORTERS OBAMA, BROWN AND SARKOZY EXIT STAGE
  • Embargoed: 11th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA897X6KGU8IPZZE28K8VJERC21
  • Story Text: U.S. President Barack Obama was joined by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who accused Iran on Friday of building a secret nuclear fuel plant and demanded Tehran immediately halt what Obama called a "direct challenge" to the international community.
    U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western leaders accused Iran on Friday of building a secret nuclear fuel plant and demanded Tehran immediately halt what he called a "direct challenge" to the international community.
    Obama went public with the charge in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh, sharpening a standoff with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.
    "It is time for to act immediately to restore the confidence of the international community by fulfilling its international obligations," Obama said, adding that Tehran had been building the plant in secret for years.
    The U.N. nuclear watchdog said earlier on Friday that Iran had just told it of a second uranium enrichment plant under construction, a belated disclosure sure to heighten Western fears of an Iranian bid for nuclear weapons.
    Sarkozy said that the clock was ticking for Iran. "Everything must be put in the table now. We can not let Iranian leaders gain time while the motors are running. If by December there is not in depth change by the Iranian leaders, sanctions will have to be taken," he said.
    Those sentiments were echoed by Brown, who said the West would not rest until the issue is resolved. "And I say on behalf of of the United Kingdom today, we will not let this matter rest. And, we are prepared to implement further and more stringent sanctions. let the message that goes out to the world be absolutely clear. that Iran must abandon any military ambitions for its nuclear program."
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