FM: We have no illusions on Iran's nukes

Liberman says Iran won't give up nuclear ambitions after meeting with US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Avigdor Liberman with Janet Napolitano 370 (photo credit: Yossi Zamir)
Avigdor Liberman with Janet Napolitano 370
(photo credit: Yossi Zamir)
Israel and the international community see no Iranian intention to give up its nuclear program, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said Sunday.
"There are no illusions on Iran's intentions on its nuclear program," Liberman said following a meeting with US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "We see no Iranian intention to give up its nuclear ambitions."
"I think the international community has no illusions on Iran's willingness to give up its nuclear program," he added.
On Saturday, US President Barack Obama said that leaders of the Group of Eight major economies are committed to continuing sanctions, pressure and diplomatic discussions with Iran, even as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said a day earlier this approach was not working.
“All of us are firmly committed to continuing with the approach of sanctions and pressure in combination with diplomatic discussions,” Obama told reporters at the G8 meeting at the US presidential retreat in Camp David.
“And our hope is that we can resolve this issue in a peaceful fashion that respects Iran’s sovereignty and its rights in the international community, but also recognizes its responsibilities,” he said.
The Camp David summit came four days before the next round of Iran talks, to be held in Baghdad. The G8 leaders “affirmed the importance of having a uniform effort in approaching those Baghdad talks next week,” one US official said.
In the meeting that preceded his comments, Liberman and Napolitano signed a declaration to expedite entry for travelers between the two countries, Army Radio reported.
Israel will join a program to allow frequent travelers between the two countries entry without the hassle of checks.
The program allows business people, diplomats, and citizens with residences in both countries to undergo a comprehensive security check ahead of time in order to reduce hassles during travel.
Following her meeting with Liberman, Napolitano also met with President Shimon Peres.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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