France is a small step from having to officially oppose the US

France is a small step from having to officially oppose the US
March 21, 2015



Paris suddenly took a tough stance in the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. France is now in one small step from having to officially oppose the US position.

In France, President Obama in international politics in general and in relations with Iran is considered naive and dangerous dilettante. Paris is now in one small step from having to officially oppose the US position in the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

In Lausanne over the next week of talks on Iran's nuclear program. Participants of the delegation of five nuclear powers: Russia, USA, China, UK and France plus Germany, as well as Iranian negotiators decided to take a little time out to gather strength before the last jerk, and again to the negotiating table on Wednesday.Until the end of March, the next deadline, to which must be achieved at least a preliminary agreement remained week. The situation at the talks, meanwhile, continues to be complex and confusing.

Optimists say that the parties continue to move forward to an agreement and try to resolve the remaining differences. Pessimists believe that the chances of an agreement or before March 31 or until July 31, another deadline announced earlier, now almost none.

Of course, the situation in the negotiations on the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is dramatically different than the one that was in the past, or the year before. First of all, we are talking about a turn almost 180 degrees of the US delegation, which is evidence of his opponents has become a big supporter.Of course, the main obstacle to an agreement is now Iran, who does not want to give way to the most important and controversial issues trying to negotiate the best possible acceptable conditions and at least save face. However, the intransigence of the Iranian delegation is not the only obstacle. The Middle East and in the United States very much opposed to signing the agreement. Now joined by France.

To be fair to say that Paris is not the first time openly expressed skepticism about the peacefulness of Tehran.Just before this skepticism as it lost against the background of the same skepticism big brother - the United States, and he is now because of the changed position of the White House is clearly visible.

In November 2013, former French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Eero publicly called negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program in Switzerland "a fool's errand." Then these words even for a short time, but still detained signing of an interim agreement. How will the current rigidity of Paris, is difficult to say.

On Friday, President Obama called French counterpart. The presidents discussed the situation in the negotiations and tried to work out a common position. The press service of the White House announced that Obama and Hollande confirmed their interest in signing the agreement and stressed the need to resolve outstanding disputes.

This, of course, the official position. Meanwhile, French diplomats put pressure on America, and do so publicly.They are trying to persuade Washington not to yield on key issues. First and foremost, the most important for Tehran - quick cancellation of UN sanctions and promises to stop the research work, which the West believes is aimed at making nuclear weapons.

Paris also believes deadline March 31 exigeant date. Haste in this matter, it is believed in France, is extremely dangerous.

"Declare the end of March the absolute deadline - unproductive and dangerous decision," - opened the French Ambassador to the United States Gerard Arod on his Twitter account after in Switzerland on Friday ended another round of talks.

No less determination shows Paris and at a higher level. On Thursday in Lausanne, according to the European media, called French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and ordered his negotiators not to sign any agreement, which will be an item on the rapid removal from Iran UN sanctions. In Paris afraid that rapid lifting of sanctions would deprive the West an important lever of financial pressure on Tehran.

The French government demands that Iran explained the evidence that Iranian scientists are conducting studies to obtain nuclear weapons. Many supporters of the agreement, however, was not without reason to fear that the requirement of public confession hurt Tehran and force him to withdraw from the negotiations.

Summit in Washington, of course, speak of the unity of views the United States and France on the Iranian nuclear issue. However, the US high-ranking officials expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment position of Paris, which they call "constructive".

It is possible that John Kerry tries to persuade his French counterpart to soften France's position at a meeting in London. On Saturday in the British capital to host talks between Kerry, Fabius and the foreign ministers of Britain and Germany.

In Washington, there is a view that France's tough stance on this issue is due to the desire to maintain strong ties with Israel and the Arab countries, which are also very skeptical about the changes in the relationship between the US and Iran. The other day, we recall, President Obama even said that they started spring.