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Iran
Interview given by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to "RTL", (excerpts) Paris, March 30, 2007
Q. - Yesterday you had a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with the Iranian ambassador to tell him that France too was demanding the immediate release of the 15 British sailors held prisoner in Tehran for the past week.
For the moment the Iranians seem indifferent to these demands, do you think diplomacy can swiftly resolve this crisis?
THE MINISTER - It must, because the Iranian forces' seizure of 15 sailors, their detention by the Iranian authorities, is serious. Q. - Is it an act of provocation?
THE MINISTER - In any case, this is a very serious and unacceptable act which we immediately condemned. Yes, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the British. President Chirac said this on Sunday, I had said it on Saturday. We're calling on the Iranians to release the sailors as quickly as possible and unconditionally. (…)./. Embassy of France in the United States - March 30, 2007
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