USA fails to get Iran nod
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday stressed Washington’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities during talks in Athens with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis but failed to win immediate Greek backing for possible sanctions against the Islamic country. «The agenda is to reinforce our diplomatic effort,» Rice told a press conference. However, when asked whether the eventuality of a conflict had been ruled out, she said, «The US president has made it clear he cannot take any option off the table.» As regards any initiatives related to Iran, Bakoyannis stressed Greece’s support for «coordination within the European Union and decisions… within the framework of the Security Council.» Speaking to reporters later, Rice said «Greece is a member of the Security Council and will very soon have to make decisions about Iran.» Responding to a question about EU gas supplies, Rice also called yesterday for «the diversification of both supply and energy.» In Ankara, which Rice visited after Athens, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said he hoped «the (Iran) issue is solved peacefully as a result of diplomatic efforts.»
