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Jan. 26 (Jerusalem Post) - After meeting Peres in Berlin, German chancellor says she hopes world powers will reach consensus in February.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that time and patience were running out on Iran's nuclear program and that February would see new sanctions discussed following France's rise to the presidency of the United Nations' Security Council.
"Iran's time is up. It is now time to discuss widespread international sanctions. We have shown much patience and that patience is up," said Merkel in a joint press conference with President Shimon Peres in Berlin.
"The international community's efforts have not brought about change so far and it is now time to discuss tougher sanctions," said Merkel.
She said that she hoped the world powers could reach a consensus in February, which she described as a "decisive" month, once France takes over the presidency of the UN Security Council. Merkel stressed that the sanctions would target the Iranian leadership and not the people. "Iran is aware of the threat of sanctions and is troubled by the notion," said Merkel.
Peres said that the world had to act with determination, lay heavy sanctions on Iran and speak in a single and clear voice against the Ahmadinejad regime. He said that the Iranianleadership was a "cruel dictatorship" that trampled on human rights, killed its own people and sponsored terror organizations like Hamas and Hizbullah.
The president went on to say that he was glad to see the Palestinian people taking control of their destiny and beginning construction of their institutions.
He said that Israel fully supports the state-building efforts of the Salam Fayyad government and its success in bringing peace and order to the West Bank. Peres said that Israel would be wiling to make goodwill gestures and called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiating table.
Peres asked Merkel to convey the request to Abbas when he visits Germany next week. He said the two-state solution was in the heart of the Israel consensus and that the Palestinians should work towards the same aim.
