United States/Europe/Iran

Bush urges unity on Iran

Article published on the 2008-06-13 Latest update 2008-06-13 21:30 TU

Bush at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris
(Photo: Reuters)

US president George Bush has arrived in the French capital on the penultimate stage of a farewell trip to Europe. During a speech, he urged European allies to unite with Washington to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

 

Bush was in Paris as part of his European farewell tour aimed at convincing allies to tighten sanctions on Iran if it refuses to accept incentives to stop enriching uranium, which the West worries could be used for nuclear bombs.

The US President praised President Sarkozy for his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan and said whoever replaced him at the White House would inherit closer US ties with Europe.

 

 

Bush also addressed some of the global issues that have divided Europe and the US during his two terms as president.

 

He said that Europe must do more in the Middle East, help end the violence in Afghanistan and Iraq and stop Iran's nuclear ambitions.

 

The US President is seeking a diplomatic solution to a standoff with Tehran over its nuclear energy programme while also making it clear that military options remain on the table.