Nuclear-armed Iran would not be very dangerous, says Chirac

[watchthevideo]

Jacques Chirac yesterday sparked a diplomatic controversy after saying that a nuclear-armed Iran would not be "very dangerous" and Tehran would be "razed" if it launched a nuclear strike on Israel. He later issued a humiliating retraction.

The French president's comments to journalists prompted speculation as to whether, aged 74 and in the waning months of his second - and probably his last term - he was losing his political touch or even his mental vigour. Some also questioned whether Mr Chirac had simply voiced a fear that a nuclear-armed Iran would be a foregone conclusion.

But the president told the three reporters: "I would say that what is dangerous about this situation is not the fact of having a nuclear bomb. Having one or perhaps a second bomb a little later, well, that's not very dangerous."

He said the danger lies in the chances of proliferation or an arms race in the Middle East should Iran build a nuclear bomb. The weapon would be useless for Iran because using it would mean an instant counterattack, he said. "Where will it drop it, this bomb? On Israel? It would not have gone 200 metres into the atmosphere before Tehran would be razed."

Mr Chirac's office quickly switched to damage-limitation mode as foreign governments asked for official clarification, opposition politicians protested and experts speculated that he was either joking, being brutally honest, irresponsible or simply speaking off the cuff.

Mr Chirac's office issued a statement that "France, along with the international community, cannot accept the prospect of an Iran equipped with a nuclear weapon."

"There should not be a controversy on such a serious subject," it said.

France's allies downplayed the comments. "It is not a sentiment I share and from what I understand, the French president doesn't share it anymore either," said British foreign secretary Margaret Beckett. White House press secretary Tony Snow reiterated that Iran "should not have any nuclear weapons" and should suspend uranium enrichment. "That is not only the stated position of the United States but also its allies including France," he said.

"Chirac gave us a moment of honesty," said researcher Alireza Nourizadeh at the Centre for Arab-Iranian Studies in London

http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/sto...004390,00.html

[waqar]

Brown people are should not be permitted to produce nuclear power or own nuclear weapons is what this arrogant European is saying. The day these westerners destroy their stockpiles of nuclear bombs is the day they have a valid argument. Anything else they say against Iran having nuclear power or owning nuclear weapons is hypocritical and smacks of racism.

[Aayeeshaa]

Brown people are should not be permitted to produce nuclear power or own nuclear weapons is what this arrogant European is saying. The day these westerners destroy their stockpiles of nuclear bombs is the day they have a valid argument. Anything else they say against Iran having nuclear power or owning nuclear weapons is hypocritical and smacks of racism.

think david koresh with an a-bomb

[Re-born Jihadi]

think david koresh with an a-bomb

wasnt he american.!!!!!!!!!!!!

..and isnt it only the americans who have only ever used the a-bomb!!!!!

[waqar]

wasnt he american.!!!!!!!!!!!!

..and isnt it only the americans who have only ever used the a-bomb!!!!!

Yes and the Americans would like to be the only ones to use Nuclear bombs if it was up to them!

[iraniboy]

This man "Chirac" changes his speeches every other months. His last speeches with Israeli PM was completely different .He said Iran is a real danger to the world. In fact most European countries have a policy of "Ambiguity" toward Iran.