Daily Mail
Quote:
Britain and America share a "unity of purpose" on the dangers posed by the Iranian regime, insists US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
She said a military strike against Tehran was "simply not on the agenda".
But after talks in London with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw she said the Iranians had been offered a diplomatic way of fulfilling their international obligations and "they ought to take it".
There has been talk of strains between London and Washington over President George Bush's aggressive tone towards Iran - one of the so-called "axis of evil" countries.
The UK, with France and Germany, has been involved in diplomatic efforts to get Iran to abandon any military nuclear programme in return for co-operation with a civilian power project.
Ms Rice said: "Let me state quite clearly what we hope to achieve concerning the Iranian regime.
"We have complete unity of purpose on a number of areas. First of all that Iran engages in activities that are destabilising to the region, particularly when it comes to support for terrorism.
"Secondly we are completely united in our view that Iran should not use the cover of civilian nuclear development to sustain a programme that could lead to a nuclear weapon.
"The Iranians ought to take the opportunity that's being presented to them to show that they are living up to their international obligations.
"Thirdly we are united in our view that the Iranian regime should have transparent relations with its neighbours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fourthly we have all been concerned about the abysmal human rights record of the Iranian regime."
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We are gearing up for war.
05-02-2005, 03:29 AM
Rice rules out strike on Tehran
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