Given that the Iranian government has decided to pursue its nuclear program and clearly doesn’t care what Western governments and the UN Security Council have to say, does this mean that military intervention is coming closer? We have chosen the path of diplomacy. We believe it to be the most effective route. Now is the time for diplomatic action. You have seen the efforts made by France, the United States, Russia, China and England. There are two resolutions invoking Chapter 7 of the UN Charter calling for sanctions against Iran. That is efficient. We’re giving the Iranian leaders and Tehran the chance to begin a dialogue. We want to be at the negotiating table with France, the other allied countries, and Iran. But the Iranians have refused on several occasions. So now, after the recent resolution in Iraq, [EU Council Secretary General Javier] Solana will try to talk to [Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali] Larijani to find a way to create negotiation cells, which is very important. At the present time, diplomacy is the way forward. Isn’t diplomacy running into a brick wall? It’s very worrying to hear how Mr. Ahmadinejad talks. We must be patient and persistent. In diplomacy, success takes time and it will need a united effort by the five permanent members of the Security Council. We’re now on a very good footing with France. Are things easier with China and Russia now? Things are getting easier now. I think everyone is frustrated by Tehran’s attitude. The government is not making the slightest effort to be diplomatic and open to compromise. It’s hard to understand. Recently, a former French chief of staff who has met with high-ranking military authorities in the US told me, ‘Plans for an attack against Iran are practically ready and there is today a 60-65 percent chance or risk of military intervention.’ How do you respond to that? It’s not up to me to decide, but my government. President Bush has often stated that all options are open. We have moved forward over the last two years to define our actions and succeed in presenting a united front in diplomatic terms. In February 2005, when Mr. Bush was at Nato headquarters in Brussels, he met with President Chirac and Chancellor Schr

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