By Michelle Fitzpatrick - 3rd May 2006
Iran's parliament has suggested that Germany could act as a mediator between Iran and the international community to avert confrontation over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Alaeddin Borujerdi, head of the Iranian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said that Berlin could act as a frontrunner in the atomic dispute due to its good “bilateral relations” with Teheran.
A German response is expected shortly, reports Handelsblatt, and will be discussed by George Bush and Angela Merkel as both leaders meet in Washington to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme on Wednesday.
On her second visit to the US since becoming the German chancellor, Merkel is expected to urge the US president not to press too quickly for sanctions.
An official in Berlin told the FT that Merkel is worried that “if a whole series of steps against Iran are proposed, including international sanctions, then this would end the unity in the international community on the issue”.
Merkel reportedly believes that international consensus is essential in preventing Iran from proceeding with its uranium enrichment efforts.
It is therefore unlikely that Merkel will support a US proposal to form a new "coalition of the willing" outside of the UN that would impose sanctions on Iran.
European and Asian allies have already raised objections to the proposal.
Meanwhile, UN superpowers meeting in Paris on Tuesday failed to reach agreement on a new UN resolution on Iran’s nuclear scheme, Spiegel Online reports.
The US is pressing for sanctions such as a visa ban for Iranian government officials.
Iran ignored an April 28 deadline set by the UN security council to halt its nuclear programme.
The security council is now expected to proceed under chapter VII of the UN Charter, which would legally require Iran to suspend its nuclear programme.
Merkel’s visit to the US is seen as an attempt to improve ties with the US after they hit an all-time low over the Iraq war under the previous chancellor, Gerhard Shroeder.
And with Germany assuming the EU presidency next year, Merkel looks ever more ready to play a leading role in Europe.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.