France says Iran's attitude towards UAE's Abu Musa Island provocative

Abu Dhabi, April 22, 2012 (WAM) - France regretted on Friday Iranian's initiatives regarding the UAE's Abu Musa Island occupied by Iran in 1971. The French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bernard Valero told Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA) that "in light of the importance of regional stability and security, we regret all initiatives that could create tensions as was the case during the recent visit to Abu Musa by the Iranian President". He added that "we note there are two attitudes in this affair: the first, the attitude of Iran, which is making declarations of provocations, for example the visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad to the Abu Musa Island on April 11." Valero added that "there is the other attitude of the UAE, which is proposing a peaceful approach to resolve the issue amicably through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or direct negotiations." The French official indicated that he did not have any precise details on a possible militarisation of Abu Musa by Iran, but he cautioned over this, and said that this would not solve the issue. "I don't have any precise information on this aspect of things. I would remind you that it is not with missiles that we settle this type of problem. This type of problem is settled through a peaceful approach either through direct negotiations or through the ICJ." – Emirates News Agency, WAM