French leader favors leeway for Iran - Newsday.com

French leader favors leeway for Iran - Newsday.com:


"UNITED NATIONS - In a potential break with the Bush administration, French President Jacques Chirac said yesterday that he is 'never in favor of sanctions' and suggested that the United States and other nations could begin talks with Iran on its nuclear program before Iran formally suspends its nuclear activities.

Chirac's remarks came as President George W. Bush prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly today, part of an intensifying U.S. drive to secure international sanctions against Iran.

'I don't believe in a solution without dialogue,' Chirac said in an interview with Europe-1 radio. 'I am not pessimistic. I think that Iran is a great nation, an old culture, an old civilization, and that we can find solutions through dialogue.'"