Livni calls on Asian nations to reject Iranian overtures

Senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office said the North Korea-Syrian connection was not raised when Song met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

By HERB KEINON
Livni graceful 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Livni graceful 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
North Korea's alleged nuclear connection with Syria was on the agenda Sunday when Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met in Jerusalem with visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Son Min-Soon. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the two discussed "issues relating to nuclear proliferation in the region." Israel's attack in early September in Syria was allegedly against a North Korean-linked nuclear installation. Foreign Ministry officials would not expand on the laconic statement that said the two foreign ministers "discussed North Korea's decision to disable its nuclear program and the obligation of preventing proliferation of elements of its nuclear program in countries in the Middle East." Senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office said the North Korea-Syrian connection was not raised when Song met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The two men did, however, discuss the Iranian nuclear issue, with Olmert stressing the importance of economic sanctions against Iran, including those that bypass the UN Security Council. Livni was more blunt, saying "the international community is concentrating efforts to sever commercial and financial relations with Iran, to increase pressure on that country, and we must not allow Iran to evade these significant actions by presenting Asian alternatives. When Europe takes action against Iran - Iran turns to Asia." "It is extremely important for Asian countries to avoid the creation of alternative relations with Iran, especially at this crucial point," she said.