Britain, France, Germany call for new Iransanctions
欧洲外交官透露，英、法、德三国已经正式呼吁欧盟对伊朗的核计划采取新的经济制裁。英、法、德三国的外交部长上周致信欧盟外交与安全政策负责人凯瑟琳·阿什顿，呼吁欧盟针对伊朗核计划采取更为严厉的措施。
Britain, France and Germany have officially called for newEuropean Union sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, diplomats said.
The foreign ministers of the three countries wrote to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton lastweek calling for tougher measures as the showdown with Tehran becomes more tense, aEuropean diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The EU is working on more sanctions as President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad seeks to counter thepressure on his country at this week's UN General Assembly in New York.
Ahmadinejad met UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Sunday as the EU foreign policy chief held talks onIran and other topics with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York.
Details of the new EU measures are still being worked on but foreign ministers from the 27-nationbloc will discuss the move at a meeting in Brussels on October 15.
The United States and its European allies say that Iran is working toward a nuclear bomb. Iran saysits research is for peaceful energy purposes. There has been mounting speculation in recentmonths that Israel is planning a military strike on Iran's bunkered nuclear facilities.
The United States, Britain and France warned at the UN Security Council last week that time isrunning out for a negotiated solution with Iran.
"It is necessary that we sharpen the sanctions," said a second western official, confirming therequest by foreign ministers William Hague of Britain, Laurent Fabius of France and GuidoWesterwelle of Germany.
"We think there is still time for a political solution, a diplomatic solution, and this is what we areworking for. But we cannot accept nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran," said the official, alsospeaking on condition of anonymity.
Ashton is to chair a meeting in New York on Thursday of the six nations -- the EU three, plus theUnited States, Russia and China -- who have been seeking to negotiate a solution with Iran.
The international community has pursued a dual track of pressure through sanctions whileseeking to negotiate. But the US and European nations say Iran is refusing to talk.
UN chief Ban "urged Iran to take the measures necessary to build international confidence in theexclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program," said a UN spokeswoman, Vannina Maestracci.
Ban and Ahmadinejad also discussed the war in Syria and the protests in the Muslim world against aUS-made film that mocks Islam.
The showdown with Iran is one of the key topics at the UN assembly where Israel's Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to speak.
Ahmadinejad, who will address world leaders on Wednesday, is probably making his lastappearance at the UN assembly where he has become a controversial figure.
Western nations regularly walk out of his speeches in protest at his anti-Israeli comments
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