Germany Plays Down Split Among Western Powers Over Iran Deal

Berlin, Nov 12, IRNA -- A German foreign ministry spokesman here Monday played down disagreements among the six world powers (the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany) negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program, according to IRNA. Asked at a routine weekly government press briefing on Franceˈs blockade tactics at the recent Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, Sebastian Fischer evaded a question on Franceˈs veto policy, saying merely Paris was ˈplaying a constructive roleˈ in the E3 plus 3 nuclear negotiation process with Tehran. While Fischer did point out all sides had agreed to keep confidential on the Geneva talks, he did not say whether the press statements by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius during Saturdayˈs negotiations had been coordinated with the other members. The German official did also stress that his country was aware of Franceˈs stance on the Iranian nuclear dossier but did not say that if that was true why did German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle decide on a short-notice to travel to Geneva, knowing that Paris was in fact blocking an agreement. Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear energy program failed to reach an agreement due to France’s hardline objection. Iran and the six world powers concluded their three-day negotiations early on Sunday in Geneva. Both sides have agreed to resume talks on November 20./end