France reassures Israel on Iran

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon assures Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that Israel's security is 'not negotiable'; Olmert discusses with Fillon, President Sarkozy ways to deal with Iranian nuclear threat

by Ronny Sofer - Oct 22. 2007

"Israel's security is not open to discussion," French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in a meeting between the two leaders in Paris Monday.

"Such a statement from the French prime minister is very impressive. I could not have hoped to hear more positive things about the Iran issue from him," Olmert said following the meeting.

The Iranian nuclear threat was the focus of Olmert's talks with Fillon and with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

In a briefing to reporters after the meetings, Olmert stated that he did not discuss military solutions to the threat with his French counterparts.

"We concentrated mainly on how to see our efforts through successfully, not what should be done if we fail. There are various courses of action that can be taken which do not necessarily include extreme measures," he stated.

'Assassination attempt won't affect peace conference'

Olmert also slammed IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's statements Monday that Iran is only expected to have a nuclear bomb within three-eight years. "If ElBaradei thinks that a nuclear bomb within three years should not concern me – then I'm concerned… I think it would have been preferable if ElBaradei made an effort to stop them from obtaining a bomb."

Referring to the foiled Palestinian assassination attempt against him in August, the prime minister said the incident would not affect the Annapolis peace conference.

"We do not intend to drop the issue, and it will certainly be discusses in talks with the Palestinians… I do not plan to stop negotiations with the Palestinians and I hope it will not hurt the preparations for Annapolis," he said.

On Tuesday morning, Olmert will travel to London to meet with his British counterpart, Gordon Brown. The meeting is set to focus on issues similar to the ones raised in the Paris talks, but Olmert will also convey to Brown Israel's request to revise British legislation that enables UK citizens and organizations to seek arrest warrants against Israeli officers on grounds of war crimes.