Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Sarkozy: Obama's Iran Policy "Arrogant" and "Utterly Immature"

From the respected Israeli Newspaper Ha'artez:

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is very critical of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's positions on Iran, according to reports that have reached Israel's government.

Sarkozy has made his criticisms only in closed forums in France. But according to a senior Israeli government source, the reports reaching Israel indicate that Sarkozy views the Democratic candidate's stance on Iran as "utterly immature" and comprised of "formulations empty of all content."

Obama visited Paris in July, and the Iranian issue was at the heart of his meeting with Sarkozy. At a joint press conference afterward, Obama urged Iran to accept the West's proposal on its nuclear program, saying that Iran was creating a serious situation that endangered both Israel and the West.

According to the reports reaching Israel, Sarkozy told Obama at that meeting that if the new American president elected in November changed his country's policy toward Iran, that would be "very problematic."

I do believe that it will be the tougher and more experienced Sarkozy, not Obama (if he wins), who will take a leadership role in how the international community deals with nations like Iran, Pakistan and Russia.

No comments: