AFP, 15 July 2008 (excerpts) – French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called Tuesday for continued dialogue with Iran over its nuclear ambitions but acknowledged that the chances of success were slim.

“This is the policy we want to continue with, while understanding the need to be firm. We cannot accept another atomic bomb in the region,” said Kouchner, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

But, four days ahead of fresh talks in Geneva between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran’s nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Kouchner held out little hope of a breakthrough.
“I have talked for a long time with the Iranians, many hours,” he said. “There was nothing fundamental that was advancing. We will continue but I have to say we have already tried very hard.”

“For the moment, the answer has always been: ’we really want to talk but not about enrichment’,” Kouchner said.