France’s tough stance pays off on Iran nuclear deal
Since the return of Iranian and international representatives to the negotiating table earlier in the month, France has been striving to wrangle four additional commitments out of Iran.
“Our first demand is to put all Iranian nuclear installations under international control immediately. Second request: suspend the enrichment of uranium at 20%. Third demand: reduce the existing stockpile. Finally, stop construction at the Arak reactor,” President Hollande said on November 17.
Many observers had blamed France for its intransigent negotiating position during the previous round of talks, which ended without an agreement on November 9.
Those who did not trust Iran and opposed a deal, especially in US conservative circles, in Israel and in the Arab Gulf States, supported Fabius at the time. “Vive la France!” Republican US senator John McCain had even written on Twitter.
French demands now appear in the early details of the Geneva agreement released by the White House.
http://www.france24.com/en/20131124-france-iran-nuclear-caution-fabius
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