BERLIN, 14 August 2005 — German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder rejected the threat of military force against Iran yesterday, hours after US President George Bush said he would consider it as a last resort to press Tehran to give up its nuclear program. Schroeder, one of the most prominent European opponents of the US-led war in Iraq, told an election rally in his home city of Hanover that the threat of force was not acceptable.
“I am worried about developments there because no one wants the Iranian leadership to gain possession of atomic weapons,” Schroeder said.
“The Europeans and the Americans are united in this goal. Up to now we were also united in the way to pursue this.
“This morning I read that military options are now on the table. My answer to that is: ‘Dear friends in Europe and America, let us work out a strong negotiating position. But let’s take the military option off the table. We have seen it doesn’t work,’” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to announce today a government composed largely of hard-liners, finally offering a clear indication of how he intends to rule the country.
Portrayed by his opponents as an extremist, the ultra-conservative Ahmadinejad has promised a “government of moderation” but the announcement of his Cabinet will be a crucial sign of which course he intends to steer.
“According to my information, Ahmadinejad intends to submit his list of ministers to the Majlis (parliament) on Sunday,” said Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar, quoted in the local press. Parliament will have around one week to give its backing to the 21 members of the new government, which replaces the administration of reformist President Mohammad Khatami.
