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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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French Minister Backs Off Iran War Threat

"Negotiate, negotiate," Kouchner now says after storm of criticism

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(Newser) – French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner yesterday backpedaled on comments he'd made threatening war with Iran if it didn't drop development of its nuclear program. "The worst situation would be war, and to avoid the worst, the French position is very clear: negotiate, negotiate, negotiate," he said after criticism from his own government and stinging blasts from Iran.

Kouchner had said earlier that if Iran didn't back off development of its nuclear program it was "necessary to prepare for the worst—war." His comments triggered speculation that France might be falling in line with the Bush administration's pugilistic position. Iran continues to develop its nuclear program in defiance of the international community.

In this handout photo provided by RTL radio, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is seen talking on a radio show, in which he warned that the international community had to be prepared for the possibility of war in the event that Iran obtains atomic weapons, Paris, France, Sunday, Sept. 16,...
In this handout photo provided by RTL radio, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is seen talking on a radio show, in which he warned that the international community had to be prepared for the possibility...   (Associated Press)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner 2007. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner 2007. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)   (Associated Press)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)   (Associated Press)
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