Merkel Signals Support for Tougher Iran Sanctions
New York Times / Judy Dempsey
02-Sep-2009 (5 comments)

BERLIN — As foreign powers weigh further efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear program, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is sounding markedly more determined about imposing tougher sanctions on the government in Tehran.

The shift — a potentially fraught move given the strength of Germany’s business dealings with Iran and the interest in preserving them during a recession — came about, diplomats and analysts say, after the Iranian authorities cracked down on protesters who charge that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the presidential election in Iran in June. Mrs. Merkel, who grew up in Communist East Germany, was the first foreign leader to demand a new vote and to condemn the violence, speaking out well ahead of others, including President Barack Obama.

Iran — with its nuclear program and its domestic political turmoil — looms large on the global diplomatic agenda as leaders gear up for the United Nations General Assembly later this month. On Wednesday, senior diplomats from the United States, Europe, Russia and China met in Frankfurt to weigh the next step in years of fruitless efforts to curb what Iran insists is a civilian nuclear effort.

Twice in the past week, Mrs. Merkel has called for a much tougher stance if the Islamic Republic does not comply with international agreements and halt its uranium enrichment program.

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Majid Zahrai

Germany prefering peace and human rights to trade?

by Majid Zahrai on

I just don't know.  Europeans have always made deals with IRI.  If indeed they start cracking down on IRI, foregoing their trade interests with Iran in favor of peace and human rights that would be a first.  They could also be doing this entirely for Israel, and pretending to be in favor of peace and human rights for Iranian people.  Sorry, I just can't forget European countries' dealings with IRI over the past 30 years.



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Abarmard

?

by Abarmard on

And what's the objective?

Ahmadinejad has already welcomed new sanctions. He believes that Sanctions help Iranian production and self sufficiency. So think again!


Darius Kadivar

Thank Sarkozy ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on

I didn't even vote for Sakozy and Yet I applaud him with my Two Hands and Even Feet for his Strong and Un Ambiguous Stance towards the Islamic Republic's cutthroats !

Je Dis : BRAVO SARKO ! ;0)

Sarkozy:"The Brave Iranian People Deserve Better!"

"I would like to say how much we admire the Iranian people for their courage, and I Repeat that they deserve much better than their current leaders" -Nicholas Sarkozy to Angela Merkel in Berlin


Bavafa

German will never prefere human rights over trade

by Bavafa on

Otherwise they would not be selling arms to Israel, they would be boycutting them as the biggest terrorist state in the present times.

Mehrdad


peace45

Maybe Merkel can teach Obama a thing or two

by peace45 on

Obama call your teacher to get some lessons!!!!