ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hosting French President Francois Hollande, warns against a deal with Iran that does not commit the Islamic Republic to quit its nuclear programme

Record ID: 397932

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hosting French President Francois Hollande, warns against a deal with Iran that does not commit the Islamic Republic to quit its nuclear programme
  • Date: 19th November 2013
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (NOVEMBER 19, 2013) (AGENCY POOL) **CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND ISRAELI PRESIDENT SHIMON PERES TOURING INNOVATIONS EXHIBITION CONFERENCE ROOM TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (NOVEMBER 19, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (AGENCY POOL) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU APPROACHING PODIUM
  • Embargoed: 4th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8WKIW86LLXAEP37X8N5ANORJ0
  • Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned world powers on Tuesday (November 19) against entering into a deal with Iran which would fall short of a commitment to abandoning its nuclear programme.
    Iran is to meet the six powers on Wednesday (November 20) in Geneva for the third round of negotiations in a month, two weeks after the sides came close to an initial accord that would curb Iran's nuclear activity in exchange for limited relief from sanctions.
    But speaking in Israel on Tuesday, Netanyahu warned the participating countries not to weaken their stance towards Iran.

    "I think it would be a grave mistake to repeat the mistake that was done vis-�vis North Korea, another closed society, doctrinaire, rigid and aggressive. I think in the case of Iran, there is an opportunity. It would be a great mistake to capitulate before Iran, when they have all reasons right now to respond to the pressures that have been put on them. Rather than surrendering to their charm offensive, it's important that they surrender to the pressure that can be brought to them to have them abandon their nuclear weapons programme," he said at a news conference in Tel Aviv after showing the visiting French President Francois Hollande an exhibition of the latest Israeli innovations.
    Hollande, on the third and final day of a visit to Israel, set out a tough stance on Monday (November 18) while addressing the Israeli Knesset, saying he would not give way on nuclear proliferation with respect to Iran.
    Iran is seeking relief from international sanctions, while the six powers demand curbs in its nuclear activities, including enrichment of uranium. Tehran says it wants nuclear energy for electricity, not bombs.
    France has taken a tough line with Iran, helping Paris forge closer ties with Tehran's foes in Israel and the Gulf.
    Speaking in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Hollande said he would welcome more cooperation and trade between Israel and France.

    "For decades, we haven't stopped saying that France and Israel are tied to one another and yet our trade ties are barely worth two billion euros. One does not measure friendship in billions of euros, but it would be nice to double it," he said.
    Nuclear talks on November 7-9 stumbled over Iran's insistence that its right to enrich uranium be explicitly recognised in the draft text, and demands from the French delegation that the Arak heavy-water reactor be shut down.
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register