US will not support Israeli military strike against Iran: Rice
www.chinaview.cn 2005-03-14 11:08:13
WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States will not
support a military strike by Israel against suspected Iranian nuclear
sites, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday.
Responding to a report in the London-based Sunday Times newspaper
that Israel may launch a unilateral attack on Iran if diplomacy fails,
Rice told ABC television that Washington is committed to following a
diplomatic course.
The United States has now, with the European allies, put forward a
strengthened diplomatic hand for the European three to play, Rice said,
referring to Britain, Germany and France.
"It really is now up to the Iranians to do what they need to
do.Obviously, the president of the United States always has his options
open, but we really do believe that this can be resolved
diplomatically."
"What we've forged with Europe is a common front, a common approach
to dealing with Iran that says Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon,
that Iran's international obligations must be upheld," Rice told ABC.
"That means they cannot develop a nuclear weapon under cover
ofcivilian nuclear power," she said.
"It says that if Iran is not willing to live up to those
obligations, then there will be a supported referral to the (UN)
Security Council." Enditem
=====================================================================================
.
|
