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French President Nicolas Sarkozy speaking Wednesday at a news conference at the end of the first day of the G8 Summit in Italy.
 (Reuters)
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Last update - 00:44 01/01/2009
Sarkozy: Israel strike on Iran would be catastrophe
By Haaretz Service and Reuters
Tags: Iran, Nuclear, G8 

A unilateral attack by Israel against Iran to thwart the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions would be an "absolute catastrophe," AFP quoted French President Nicolas Sarkozy as warning on Thursday.

Sarkozy was speaking after a summit of the Group of Eight and other leaders in Italy at which they agreed on the need to pursue a negotiated deal with Tehran to halt its nuclear program.

Earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama rebuffed suggestions that Washington had given Israel a green light to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Israel believes that a nuclear Iran would pose an existential threat.
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The French president said Wednesday that major powers in the G8 would give negotiations with Iran a chance until September.

After Sarkozy's statement Wednesday, a senior adviser to Iran's top authority said in remarks published on Thursday that the Islamic Republic would not back down "even one step" over its nuclear work, making clear Tehran's continued defiance toward the West.

Ali Akbar Velayati, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's top adviser on international affairs, said Western countries did not want the Islamic state to have peaceful nuclear activities, state broadcaster IRIB said on its website.

Speaking after talks with fellow G8 leaders, Sarkozy said they would review the situation at a G20 meeting of developed and developing countries in Pittsburgh on Sept. 24 and 25.

"If there is no progress by then we will have to take decisions," said Sarkozy, indicating that tougher sanctions might be imposed if Tehran continued to resist negotiations.

Western countries believe Iran is trying to build an atomic bomb. Tehran insists it wants to master nuclear technology to generate electricity, and has rejected all overtures for talks.

U.S. and Canadian officials, meanwhile, said the world's main industrialized nations were growing increasingly impatient.

"All G8 nations are united. There is a strong consensus at the table that unless things change soon, there will be further action," said Canadian spokesman Dimitri Soudas.

White House official: G8 talks reflect 'collective impatience' with Iran

A White House deputy national security adviser, Mike Froman, told reporters the G8 discussions had reflected "a collective impatience with Iran."

However, Sarkozy made clear Wednesday Russia was still dragging its feet over the issue and had pushed for more time before considering a fresh round of sanctions.

"We made an effort to agree not to strengthen sanctions straightaway in order to bring everyone on board. The more reserved amongst us agreed that Pittsburgh was the time for decisions," said Sarkozy.

In a separate statement, the G8 said it was committed to finding a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program.

"We sincerely hope that Iran will seize this opportunity to give diplomacy a chance," the statement said.

The G8 statement came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top national security adviser said Wednesday that the United States was distancing itself from Israel's position on Iran.

The statement also deplored the violence in Iran following last month's disputed presidential election and said arrests of journalists and foreigners there were "unacceptable".

Moreover, it repeated criticism of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for denying the Holocaust.

Turning to the Middle East, the G8 reiterated calls for a swift resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over the creation of two separate states.

"We also call for the immediate opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza, in a manner that respects Israel's security," the statement said.


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      1.   SARZOZY, I AM A FAN OF YOURS ! 00:03  |  Fortuna Benmayor 01/01/09
      2.   They have until September 00:15  |  Christopher 01/01/09
      3.   IRAN has been given deadlines before on nuclear transparency.They 00:01  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      4.   What Talks? 00:07  |  Persian Kitty 01/01/09
      5.   An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him 00:26  |  shmuel 01/01/09
      6.   The Emperor of France Commands! 00:46  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      7.   How much time is he giving Israel. another 60years 00:11  |  lydia 01/01/09
      8.   Same story...every September 00:46  |  D 01/01/09
      9.   #1 to Sarkozy fan 00:52  |  DT 01/01/09
      10.   As long as Israel plays games with their own nuclear arsenal... 00:05  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
      11.   Read our Lips French Scum!! 00:39  |  Jamshid 01/01/09
      12.   France, and the rest of the world worthless 00:53  |  charro 01/01/09
      13.   gotta hand it to sarkozy; he`s doesn`t pull many punches... 00:04  |  eric 01/01/09
      14.   Real Courage 00:40  |  Pastor Joseph 01/01/09
      15.   G8, Sept deadline for Iran 00:53  |  Josiah J. Ben David 01/01/09
      16.   Deadline 00:04  |  Albrecht Klein 01/01/09
      17.   Ignore that man behind the curtain 00:49  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
      18.   To #7 eric - Sarkozy to Obama reminds me of Tony Blair to Bush 00:57  |  S 01/01/09
      19.   Sarkozy makes Obama look weak 00:30  |  Peter Williams 01/01/09
      20.   "All G-8 mations are united" 00:35  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/09
      21.   What happens in September 00:48  |  Even Steven 01/01/09
      22.   hopefully the worlds leaders 00:50  |  can give children 01/01/09
      23.   yes we can! 00:51  |  ron 01/01/09
      24.   To #9 eric - Sarkozy teaching Obama? (2nd try) 00:03  |  S 01/01/09
      25.   #19, Peter Williams 00:22  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/09
      26.   Lydia parrots the Ayatollah`s lies 00:41  |  Peter Williams 01/01/09
      27.   #16 you "see" what you`ve been led to see, "S" 00:49  |  eric 01/01/09
      28.   Peter Williams #19 policy serving as cover for prejudice 00:52  |  Roo 01/01/09
      29.   Israel can`t wait 00:16  |  Yonatan 01/01/09
      30.   #28, Roo 00:26  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/09
      31.   Roo nice try 00:43  |  Peter Williams 01/01/09
      32.   Sarkozy : another Tony Blair wannabe 00:04  |  Welshman 01/01/09
      33.   #27 eric 00:19  |  S 01/01/09
      34.   sarko as rambo 00:27  |  dani.a 01/01/09
      35.   CJK #30 00:01  |  Roo 01/01/09
      36.   #26 00:52  |  Joseph 01/01/09
      37.   What a laugh 00:46  |  patriot 01/01/09
      38.   Iran following North K re nukes 00:01  |  DT 01/01/09
      39.   politic 00:02  |  oz 01/01/09
      40.   G-8 - the stuff of society gossip columns. 00:12  |  17 01/01/09
      41.   #27 eric (2nd try) 00:34  |  S 01/01/09
      42.   @11 00:41  |  busetibi 01/01/09
      43.   they will not comply. must be stomped 00:54  |  george 01/01/09
      44.   real issue is good versus evil - arabs/muslims are evil 00:10  |  slick 01/01/09
      45.   A Nuclear Iran or A nuclear Free Middle East 00:11  |  Cool B 01/01/09
      46.   Ali Akbar Velayati Has Spoken 00:29  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      47.   Another "deadline" ...(yawn)..... 00:35  |  Kelly Brians 01/01/09
      48.   Jeff Northridge on MAD 00:38  |  Roo 01/01/09
      49.   another day, aother dollar, another deadline 00:39  |  Pierre LeBerre 01/01/09
      50.   CJK #30 00:39  |  Roo 01/01/09
      51.   ! 00:40  |  bouba 01/01/09
      52.   G8 00:42  |  Dale 01/01/09
      53.   #41 S. Groundhog day again? 00:06  |  Roo 01/01/09
      54.   You are all discussing the wrong topic 00:23  |  Yonatan 01/01/09
      55.   Peter Williams #31 Thanks 00:40  |  Roo 01/01/09
      56.   Yonatan #54 a prescription 00:53  |  Roo 01/01/09
      57.   # 28 Roo.....not to worry 00:10  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      58.   And when is the deadline for settlements, Mr Sarkozy? 00:18  |  Patrcia Johnson 01/01/09
      59.   #19 Peter Williams....Russians accuse Obama 00:24  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      60.   Sarkozy is Obama`s new fall guy 00:24  |  James Gordon 01/01/09
      61.   #55 Rooo.....Congress decides appropriations 00:27  |  Lynn 01/01/09
      62.   Double Standrds..!! 00:30  |  Tony Silver 01/01/09
      63.   So Lynn... 00:28  |  Roo 01/01/09
      64.   Israel will do the job. Yes it can. 00:55  |  arik 01/01/09
      65.   Yonatan - the last question 00:02  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      66.   Tony silver 00:39  |  patriot 01/01/09
      67.   G8 is a minority 00:50  |  chilem 01/01/09
      68.   Iran 00:50  |  patriot 01/01/09
      69.   Obama wants to talk everyone to death... 00:51  |  Malone 01/01/09
      70.   Jamshid 11 00:55  |  Eaglebeak 01/01/09
      71.   Cool B`s solution to the problem 00:04  |  Eaglebeak 01/01/09
      72.   If Iran can build nukes... 00:32  |  Pedro 01/01/09
      73.   SILVER Remove WMD`s from Arabs& Iran a make their combined 00:36  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      74.   ROO re Chavez.He also offered free oil to Puerto Ricco 00:52  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      75.   Catastrophe? Then you G-8 guys better do something - and quick. 00:57  |  common sense 01/01/09
      76.   Any strike would be the end of Israel 00:47  |  ID 01/01/09
      77.   FYI Sarko: Iran with nuke would be `bigger catastrophe` 00:55  |  Lolza Minnelli 01/01/09
      78.   to persian kitty 00:01  |  sani 01/01/09
      79.   SILVER one standard for all! No Arab/Iranian/Muslim WMDs` 00:16  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      80.   petersm and open lies 00:40  |  Truth 01/01/09
      81.   On the other hand..... 00:11  |  Peter 01/01/09
      82.   if Sarkozy believes his own words then... 00:31  |  Avi 01/01/09
      83.   no need 00:40  |  patriot 01/01/09
      84.   Tony Silver # 62 It`s A Triple Standard (2nd try) 00:42  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      85.   THANK You Mr Sarkozy.You have now removed any incetive for Iran 00:08  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      86.   #61 Better think again, Lynn. 00:18  |  Johnboy 01/01/09
      87.   P.JOHNSONE." Re Deadine for settlements"?When Pals accept borders 00:26  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      88.   P.JOHNSONE." Re Deadine for settlements"?When Pals accept borders 00:43  |  PETER SM 01/01/09
      89.   PETER SM #74 00:58  |  Roo 01/01/09
      90.   #63 Roo.... empty fables and boring as ever 00:03  |  allang 01/01/09
      91.   To Natalie Darson -- nobody knows. 00:05  |  Vital 01/01/09
      92.   Sarkozy : one more pathetic western leader 00:45  |  DT 01/01/09
      93.   The relative weight of risk 00:03  |  lupin 01/01/09
      94.   Weird.. The IAEA is charged with reporting to the UNSC 00:04  |  CJ 01/01/09
      95.   Sarkozy 00:24  |  alistair fourth 01/01/09
      96.   PETER SM #74 00:49  |  Roo 01/01/09
      97.   #53 Roo and his Chavez plus his gentility (6th try) 00:21  |  S 01/01/09
      98.   Vital - Attacking Iran = attacking the world economy 00:24  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
      99.   Israel wont be the lone super power in mid east 00:51  |  Maz 01/01/09
      100.   Catasrrophe 4Sarkozy if Israel strikes Iran 00:55  |  sam 01/01/09
      101.   S #97 and his "disappeared" 00:11  |  Roo 01/01/09
      102.   West bad, ME si best 00:50  |  sane 01/01/09
      103.   S #97 and his "disappeared" 00:17  |  Roo 01/01/09
      104.   cryptic statement by Sarkozy.... 00:27  |  Jeff 01/01/09
      105.   Sanctions Now! 00:42  |  Mary Witherspoon 01/01/09
      106.   Actually, you have no power at all Mr. Sarkozy 00:16  |  Jason 01/01/09
      107.   Natalie is right. The world cares more for oil prices 00:40  |  arik 01/01/09
      108.   #38 Natallie Durson, We are watching and when it is determined 00:38  |  Israeli Realist 01/01/09
      109.   From a naive point of view 00:21  |  DWH 01/01/09
      110.   # 107 arik 00:28  |  Axel 01/01/09
      111.   #10 Durson 00:21  |  leoblue 01/01/09
      112.   #107 arik, there`s more to OIL prices then money 00:34  |  Mark B. 01/01/09
      113.   G8 00:42  |  Mel 01/01/09
      114.   # 28 Roo.....not to worry 00:52  |  Mel 01/01/09
      115.   105 Mary Witherspoon - Pray Tell 00:59  |  Mark of Lewiston 01/01/09
      116.   Israel strike on Iran 00:21  |  Jamil Ali 01/01/09
      117.   -allang- #90 00:30  |  Roo 01/01/09
      118.   Jason # 106 France Will Be Disappointed To Hear That 00:36  |  Jeff Northridge 01/01/09
      119.   #41 i understand what you`re saying, "S" (3rd try) 00:22  |  eric 01/01/09
      120.   Sad to see so many Israeli`s want war with Iran! 00:24  |  Tom CLark 01/01/09
      121.   G8: world has 2 months to vow allegiance to Islam or dhimmitude 00:51  |  Joseph .E 01/01/09
      122.   geopolitics 00:18  |  Paul 01/01/09
      123.   Mark of Lewiston - sanctions 00:33  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
      124.   For Yonatan in Kfar Saba # 54 00:46  |  Fortuna Benmayor 01/01/09
      125.   Under NO circumtances should Israel.... 00:48  |  Jeff 01/01/09
      126.   For Joseph E. # 115 00:54  |  Fortuna Benmayor 01/01/09
      127.   Hey Jeff 00:56  |  Jason 01/01/09
      128.   Business as usual allows nukes weapons to the ayatollas regime. 00:19  |  Joseph .E 01/01/09
      129.   #99 Well said my friend! 00:03  |  Hildi 01/01/09
      130.   #113 eric - we`re back to good conversation... 00:37  |  S 01/01/09
      131.   Natalie Durson 00:19  |  Joe Winters 01/01/09
      132.   #103 Roo trying to convince me how "bad" America is 00:26  |  S 01/01/09
      133.   #109, Mark of Lewiston 00:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/09
      134.   #111 Roo nice response to o-allang syne 00:21  |  Labhras 01/01/09
      135.   Jeff what 67 borders Northridge--how about a NP IN PV 00:25  |  Zero tolerance. 01/01/09
      136.   # 119 Fortuna Benmayor 00:43  |  Joseph .E 01/01/09
      137.   Tio Mary Witherspoon from yesterday@105.Sanctions NOW! And 00:58  |  Whiskey/Bravo 01/01/09
      138.   Roo Being Rude to allang@111 ..A Question For You Roo. 00:09  |  Whiskey/Bravo 01/01/09
      139.   Re Roo to S (#103) 00:56  |  Morris Valentine 01/01/09
      140.   Israel is not the enemy of the Palestinians by choice ! 00:25  |  Akram Zekaria 01/01/09
      141.   #103 Roo trying to convince me how "bad" America is 2nd try 00:27  |  S 01/01/09
      142.   Durson speaks of "Israel wiped off the map" with strange easiness 00:03  |  Israeli citizen 01/01/09
      143.   Mr. Sarkozy....Don`t worry! 00:02  |  The Teacher/Instruct 01/01/09
      144.   United Nations obligation to obliterate the nukes in Iran 00:02  |  lily 01/01/09
      145.   The US created the nuclear monster. Let the US deal with it. 00:02  |  David Turner 01/01/09
      146.   Not to strike Iran would be a catastrophe BUT 00:14  |  Murray of Montreal 01/01/09
      147.   #113 eric - we`re back to good conversation...4th try 00:24  |  S 01/01/09
      148.   #103 Roo trying to convince me how "bad" America is 4th try 00:36  |  S 01/01/09
      149.   Roo.... lost somewhere in outer-space 00:59  |  allang 01/01/09
      150.   S. Oh I get it.1st try 00:07  |  Roo 01/01/09
      151.   MV 00:25  |  Roo 01/01/09
      152.   allang-sigh....once more my pet stalker. 00:43  |  Roo 01/01/09
      153.   # 147 well i SHOULD have known better, "S" 00:38  |  eric 01/01/09
      154.   # 147 well i SHOULD have known better, "S" (4rth try) 00:22  |  eric 01/01/09
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