Sarkozy: Iran nuclear swap deal is a 'positive step'

May 18, 2010

By Reuters and DPA

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Tuesday a nuclear fuel swap with Iran agreed in talks this week with Brazil and Turkey was a "positive step" and it was waiting for Tehran to provide full written details, as China and Lebanon also voiced their support for the new deal.

"France will examine this with the Group of Six [international powers] and is ready to discuss without preconceptions all its implications for the whole of the Iran dossier," Sarkozy said in a statement during a visit to Spain.

Iran agreed on Monday to send some of its uranium abroad, reviving a fuel swap plan drafted by the United Nations with the aim of keeping Tehran's nuclear activities in check.


But Tehran made clear it did not intend to suspend domestic uranium enrichment that Western governments have said appears aimed at giving it the means to make nuclear weapons.


Western powers have said the fuel swap offer promoted by Brazil and Turkey will not be enough to ease their worries about Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened top advisers on Tuesday to assess the deal.

Earlier Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said he was encouraged by the new deal with Iran. His reaction suggested Beijing and Western powers may part ways on how much weight to give Iran's offer.


"China has noted the relevant reports and expresses its welcome and appreciation for the diplomatic efforts all parties have made to positively seek an appropriate solution to the Iranian nuclear issue," Yang said, according to the Foreign Ministry website (www.fmprc.gov.cn).


Later on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said his government hoped the nuclear fuel swap agreement "will benefit the process of peacefully resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations".


Neither Yang nor Ma said directly whether China believes the Western powers should now rethink their sanctions demands. Both stressed Beijing prefers a negotiated solution to the dispute.

Also Tuesday, Lebanese president Michel Suleiman welcomed a deal on Iran's nuclear program, describing it as a first step towards resolving the issue diplomatically.

Suleiman, in a statement issued by his press office, said: "Lebanon has always called for a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program."

Suleiman also voiced hope that the international community would approve the deal, which, he added, "would ease regional and international tension."
But commentators continued to say that US reaction to the deal must be gauged before its usefulness can be judged.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/sarkozy-iran-nuclear-swap-deal-is-a-positive-step-1.290984