France Troubled By Iran’s Nuclear Program

French Foreign Minister Philippe Dousle-Blazy says Iran’s nuclear program is a violation of international agreements.

He called the Iranian program a clear violation of the Paris agreement and the International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions.

Iran began converting uranium at its Eshafan conversion facility Monday after negotiations with France, Germany and Britain on incentives for Iran to suspend its nuclear program disintegrated over the weekend.

Dousle-Blazy said, Iran never was able to explain the need to proceed with uranium conversion and enrichment when there is no reactor to generate electricity.

He also said Iran had not given enough time to examine the European proposal sent on Aug. 5 which contained very positive, substantial ideas.

At U.N. Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged restraint for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s newly elected president. The secretary-general hopes both sides will remain engaged, said Stephane Dujarric, Annan’s spokesman.