Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rice says attack on Iran 'not on agenda'

Ap,Pa
Friday 04 February 2005 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in London today that an attack on Iran over its nuclear program is "not on the agenda at this point."

"We have many diplomatic tools still at our disposal and we intend to pursue them fully," she said after a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Asked if a military attack was possible, Ms Rice said: "The question is simply not on the agenda at this point."

However, she warned that Iran must not "use the cover" of civilian nuclear power development "to sustain a program that can lead to a nuclear weapon".

Ms Rice held wide-ranging talks with the Prime Minister and Mr Straw which took in the issue of Iraq as well as the wider conflict in the Middle East and how to deal with Iran's feared nuclear plans.

Mr Straw said that the success of Iraq's elections should help heal world divisions over the war. Last weekend's poll showed universal support for the values of freedom and democracy.

Mr Straw said: "As coalition partners we have shared the joy of the Iraqi people and their courageous exercise in democracy last weekend. The success of the Iraqi elections were celebrated, not just by the coalition and the Iraqi people, but by those too who questioned the military action which the US, UK and other partners took.

"I think we now have an opportunity to put the divisions behind us and work with a united international community to support a successful constitutional process.

"The Iraqi elections show how widely shared is the belief in freedom and democracy - a key theme of President Bush."

The Foreign Secretary said the elections in the Ukraine and Afghanistan sent the same message.

Ms Rice is on a week-long tour of Europe and the Middle East following her appointment to succeed Colin Powell.

The Bush administration is thought to be keen to build bridges with European allies after disagreements over Iraq.

One of Ms Rice's first comments after being appointed was that "the time for diplomacy is now".

Mr Straw said her trip was a "formidable programme of diplomacy". He said: "There is a great deal of work certainly to be done."

Although Britain and the US are united over Iraq, there are differences over how to deal with Iran. Britain favours a diplomatic approach, with the Bush administration being more hardline.

The President this week warned Tehran it must give up its uranium enrichment programme.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in