Tuesday, June 10, 2008
European Leaders Support Bush on Iran Sanctions
Opening a farewell tour of Europe, President Bush won European support on Tuesday to consider additional punitive sanctions against Iran, including restrictions on its banks, if Iran rejects a package of incentives to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
President Bush at Brdo Castle in Kranj, Slovenia, with, from left, Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission; Janez Jansa, prime minister of Slovenia; and Javier Solana, the European Union’s foreign policy chief.
Iran’s leaders, the Mr. Bush said, “can either face isolation, or they can have better relations with all of us if they verifiably suspend their enrichment program.”
Mr. Bush was speaking at a news conference after what was billed as his final summit meeting with European officials before his term ends in January.
The meeting was held in the same small mountainous country as he chose for his first foray into Europe as president seven years ago.
It was, he said, a “fitting circle” to return to Slovenia. One day he would return as a tourist, he said. “You know, I’m close to retirement.”
A joint statement after the meeting urged Iran to “comply with its international obligations concerning its nuclear activities.” (NY Times)
Labels: European Union, Iran, Nuclear Power, U.S.
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