Demanding Iran To Stop Enrichment, Unrealistic: Ex-German Envoy

Berlin, July 7, IRNA -- Former German ambassador to Iran, Paul Freiherr von Maltzahn said demanding an end to Tehranˈs uranium enrichment program was simply ˈnot realistic.ˈ Speaking to the official website of the Berlin-based German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the ex-German diplomat said, ˈToday, ten years later, it seems unrealistic to still be talking about an Iranian withdrawal from uranium enrichment.ˈ ˈIn 2003 the enrichment was still in its early stages, with just a few centrifuges. Today in contrast the nuclear program is very much more advanced, with 6000 to 8000 centrifuges in operation. Iran will therefore assert its right to enrich uranium just like any other state,ˈ he added. Von Maltzahn who headed Berlinˈs diplomatic mission in Tehran from 2003 to 2006, expressed hope that Iran would provide ˈobjective guaranteesˈ that it would not divert its nuclear program for military purposes. He urged Germany to open a new chapter in its bilateral relations with Iran after the presidential election victory of Hassan Rohani. ˈIt was right that the Federal (German) government welcomed Rohaniˈs election and in doing so indicate that we have certain expectations. We should now show restraint until the new president has been inaugurated. Not only in terms of statements. We also should not enact any new sanctions, as it is being discussed in the United States,ˈ von Maltzahn said. ˈIt also wouldn’t be right to follow the motto ˈkeep all your options open,ˈ as the US sees it, which is including the possibility of a military strike. In contrast, we should keep all options in relations toward Iran open to the effect that we don’t spoil the chances for a new beginning by sending negative signals,ˈ he added. Von Maltzahn is currently the general secretary of the German Council on Foreign Relations./end