Disarmament Documentation

Iran: Statement by the Presidency on behalf of EU leaders meeting at Hampton Court, October 27, 2005

See also: Comments by Tony Blair, October 27, 2005

Iran: Statement by the Presidency on behalf of EU leaders meeting at Hampton Court, 27 October 2005 (27/10/05).

EU leaders meeting at Hampton Court today condemned in the strongest terms the comments in respect of the State of Israel attributed to President Ahmedinejad of Iran. Calls for violence, and for the destruction of any state, are manifestly inconsistent with any claim to be a mature and responsible member of the international community.

Such coments will cause concern about Iran's role in the region, and its future intentions. The fact that these comments were made on the same day as a horrific attack on Israeli civilians should reinforce the lesson that incitement to violence, and the terrorism that it breeds, are despicable and unacceptable acts. For its part, the EU remains committed to a solution to the Arab-Israeli dispute based on the principle of two states living side-by-side in peace and security. It urges all parties in the region to do their utmost to bring that vision to fulfilment.

Source: UK Presidency of the EU, http://www.eu2005.gov.uk/

Back to the top of the Page

Comments by Tony Blair, October 27, 2005

Press conference at EU informal summit Hampton Court, October 27, 2005.

Question: Prime Minister, two topics if I may. Iran, if I could take you back to Iran. Strong words today on Iran from the EU, but what do you say to those who say it is merely words and words simply aren't enough with this regime? And you talked of getting broad agreement here, do you wish you could get broad agreement in your Cabinet and what are you going to do to re-impose it?

Tony Blair: ... In respect of Iran, well what you say is indeed what people will say, and we will have discussions with our main allies over the next few days. And this of course is the position that Iran has had, it is just that it has been expressed again and maybe people are just noticing this. I have got to say I am sure there are people in Iran in their leadership who believe that the world is sufficiently distracted with everything else, that we can't really afford the time to focus on this issue. And I think they would be making a very big mistake if they do that. These sentiments are completely and totally unacceptable. I have never come across a situation of the President of a country saying they want to wipe out, not that they have got a problem with, or an issue with, but want to wipe out another country. This is unacceptable.

And their attitude towards Israel, their attitude towards terrorism, their attitude on the nuclear weapons issue, it isn't acceptable. Now if they continue down this path then people are going to believe that they are a real threat to our world security and stability. And as I say, they may believe that with everything else, the eyes of the world will be elsewhere, but I felt a real sense of revulsion at those remarks, and to anybody in Europe, knowing our history, when we hear statements like that made about Israel, it makes us feel very angry. It is just completely wrong, this, and it indicates and underlines I am afraid how much some of those places need reform themselves. Because how are we going to build a more secure world with that type of attitude? It is a disgrace I am afraid. And I am aware, I haven't said in precise terms what we can do, but this is a discussion that we will be having with our allies. And you know there has been a long time in which I have been answering questions on Iran, with everyone saying to me: "Tell us you are not going to do anything about Iran." If they carry on like this, the question people are going to be asking us is: When are you going to do something about this? Because you imagine a state like that, with an attitude like that, having a nuclear weapon? ...

Question: Prime Minister, just on Iran, you have expressed your anger and disgust at this, and there has been a strong condemnation from the European Union, and the Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office this morning. Has there been any response yet from Iran, and if not, what response do you want to hear from them? And on our meeting today, do you feel any closer, or more confident that you will get a budget resolution in December? And President Barroso, you said that was crucial in December, but why, because this budget is for 2007-13, so does it really matter if it is decided next year instead of in December?

Tony Blair: On Iran, as far as I am aware we have heard nothing back from Iran. What they have to do is they have to alter their basic attitude, but the fact that it is being expressed by the President of the country doesn't give you a great deal of confidence.

Source: 10 Downing Street website, http://www.number-10.gov.uk/

Back to the top of the Page