'Enable Obama to establish broad coalition on Iran'

Peres says Iranian nuclear issue should not be purely Israeli issue as it is a danger to the whole world.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Shimon Peres 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Shimon Peres 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
President Shimon Peres attached great importance on Monday to US President Barack Obama’s declaration in Seoul that he wanted to establish a broad-based global coalition to prevent the nuclearization of Iran.
Such a coalition should be given every opportunity to deter the Islamic Republic from developing nuclear weapons, Peres said.
Waylaid by journalists in Tel Aviv after delivering the opening address at the Nanotechnology Conference at the David Intercontinental Hotel, President Shimon Peres commented on both national and international issues.
With regard to Iran, and the participation of US President Barack Obama in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, Peres said that there was no dispute over whether Iran has nuclear arms. In the hands of an extreme and ambitious regime, nuclear power posed a danger to the whole world, he said, adding that there was no reason to turn the matter into a purely Israeli issue.
Closer to home, the president related to Sunday’s High Court of Justice decision to order the evacuation of the Migron outpost on the West Bank by August 1. The judicial branch had made a clear statement on the subject, he said, and the ruling had been accepted by the executive branch. “The situation is crystal clear,” he emphasized. “The court has handed down its ruling and the prime minister is obligated to abide by it.”
Peres then referred to Monday’s anniversary of the treaty with Egypt, saying that he was gratified that there had been a stable peace for 33 years, something that had been beneficial to both countries. Peace with Egypt was vital, and everything possible must be done to maintain and strengthen it.