German deputy FM says sanctions against Iran very dangerous

Xinhuanet | January 14 2006

German deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler said imposing economic sanctions against Iran for its nuclear policy would be a "very dangerous path," according to reports here.

Erler said the sanctions would hurt both sides and will not necessarily lead Iran to abandon its nuclear program.

He said he favored imposing travel restrictions on Iranian politicians as a more effective way of exerting pressure on Tehran,according to a summary released on Saturday of his interview to German radio.

The deputy foreign minister said travel restrictions would have "an extraordinarily unpleasant impact," said the summary of the interview, which is due to be broadcast on Sunday.

The remarks came after the British, French and German foreign ministers met here on Thursday to talks on a response to Iran's resumption of nuclear activities.

Iran broke seals on its uranium enrichment facility on Tuesday and said it was resuming nuclear research after a two-year freeze.

Highly enriched uranium can be used to make a nuclear weapon, while uranium enriched to lower levels can serve as fuel.

A last-ditch round of European-Iranian talks had been scheduled for Jan. 18.

On Thursday, Erler said the threat of sanctions could "lead to an escalation that can get out of control."

The United States has long accused Iran of running a covert nuclear arms program. Iran, however, says its nuclear work is designed merely to meet its energy needs and insists on the right to develop a full nuclear fuel cycle.

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