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Kouchner clarifies remarks on Iran

Article published on the 2008-10-05 Latest update 2008-10-05 16:35 TU

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner speaking in Ramallah(Photo: Reuters)

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner speaking in Ramallah
(Photo: Reuters)

French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, continued his tour of the Middle East this weekend, clarifying earlier comments about Israeli-Iranian relations. He spoke in favour of diplomacy between the Israel and Iran, calling for "Talking, talking, talking and offering dialogue, sanctions, sanctions, sanctions."

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"Is the alternative to bomb first? I think not." Kouchner said on Sunday. He clarified earlier comments saying that he had talked about Israel "hitting" Iran if faced with a nuclear-armed Iran. He said that he had not suggested "eating" Iran and said the confusion had come from an unclear vowel sound when he gave an interview in English to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Kouchner visited Jerusalem on Sunday, after having visited Jenin in the West Bank on Saturday. He reiterated the importance of a Palestinian state but said a peace deal in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians was unlikely before the end of 2008.

On his trip he has met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad and President Mahmud Abbas and was due to meet with Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday.