Sarkozy sets deadline for Iran

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-24 05:31

PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy set December as the deadline for Iran to suspend its nuclear program and warned Iran not to make "tragic mistake" in a television interview on Wednesday.

"There will be a deadline, which in my view is the month of December," Sarkozy told a French TV station from New York where he is attending the 64th United Nations General Assembly session.

Iran has refused UN's demand of suspending its nuclear program, insisting that it is just used for civilian purpose, but agreed to hold talks on October 1 with six powers - China, the United States, France, Russian, Britain and Germany.

The French president expressed his dissatisfaction with unfruitful talks with Iran over nuclear issue. "Now we all know towards what catastrophes our obstinate attempts to solve the problems of the 21st century with 20th century ideas and instruments may lead us."

Speaking of the French teaching assistant Clotilde Reiss, who is currently confined in Iran on accusation of spying, Sarkozy rejected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's suggestion of prisoner exchange.

"No. This is blackmail," Sarkozy said. "Clotilde Reiss is innocent."

When interviewed by France 2 television aired on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad suggested that France can release some Iranian prisoners in exchange for Reiss' release.