BUSH AND SARKOZY ON IRAN
President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agree that nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran's rulers would pose a dangerous threat to peace.
President Bush says that the U.S. and France have the desire to work jointly to convince the Iranian regime to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions, for the sake of peace:
(ACT1 :08 - DALET/POLICY/ACTUALITIES) The idea of Iran having a nuclear weapon is dangerous, and therefore, now is the time for us to work together to diplomatically solve this problem. (END ACT)
French President Sarkozy said that the Iranian government needs to be convinced to change course:
[Through English translator]:
(ACT2 :29 - DALET/POLICY/ACTUALITIES) It is unacceptable that Iran should have at any point a nuclear weapon. But Iran is entitled to the energy of the future, which is civilian nuclear energy. I believe in the effectiveness of sanctions. I believe even in the need to toughen the sanctions. But in my mind the two go together -- in other words, the open, the outstretched hand of dialogue, of continuing discussions -- because Iran deserves a better fate than that isolation. (END ACT)
President Bush addressed the Iranian people directly:
(ACT3 :22 - DALET/POLICY/ACTUALITIES) I want them [the Iranian people] to hear once again that we discussed your country today; that we believe - that I believe that you've got a bright future, that we respect your history and respect your tradition; however, you are governed by people who are making decisions that are isolating you from the rest of the world, and you can do better than that. (END ACT)
President Bush said that it is important to send clear signals to the Iranian government that the free world understands the risks of Iran trying to end up with a nuclear weapon. Mr. Bush said, we will work together to try to find if there are not rational people inside the Iranian government who are tired of isolation and who believe there is a better way forward.