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Last update - 08:19 02/12/2008
Czech FM to Haaretz: Armed action against Iran would be 'catastrophe'
By Barak Ravid
Tags: Karel Schwarzenberg 

"I understand why Israel is saying that all the options [against Iran] are on the table, but I do think that any armed action or any war would be really a catastrophe," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told Haaretz yesterday while on a 30-hour visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Schwarzenberg, whose country will become the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in a few weeks, has been in office since January 2007 and is considered a firm supporter of Israel.

The 71-year-old foreign minister was a leader of the anti-Communist opposition and spent many years in exile before the Iron Curtain fell. During those years he was a close aide of Vaclav Havel, who later became president of the Czech Republic, and at one time even served as the head of his office.
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The Czech Republic is one of Israel's strongest allies within the European Union, and as such, has often had to respond to allegations that it is too friendly toward Jerusalem.

Still, Schwarzenberg is unabashed about his sympathy for Israel: Last year he spent his 70th birthday on a personal trip to Jerusalem.

Regarding Iran's nuclear program, he has urged the EU to increase its pressure on Tehran while avoiding the use of force.

"If we pass the next petrol station here, we will see a sign that says, don't come near the gas station with an open fire," he explained.

"In this area [the Middle East], which is the gas station of the whole world, you don't walk with an open fire," he said.

"A war is only justified in very, very extreme conditions. War is not something that should be easily started and this I mean very seriously."

Following the report that first appeared in Haaretz yesterday concerning a new EU peace initiative planned for 2009, Schwarzenberg was very careful not to say anything that might upset his neighbors on the continent.

"I have just read it once and I need to read it more profoundly and to discuss it with some people," he responded.

"I would like to speak about it with the European commission and with my fellow foreign ministers. You don't go first and criticize them from outside. It is just a non-paper."

During his visit, the Czech minister met with both candidates for the position of prime minister: Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Kadima and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said that he believed Netanyahu would not stop talks with the Palestinians if his party wins the elections. At the same time, he stressed that the building of new Jewish settlements in the West Bank is unacceptable.

"To tell the truth this is even the opinion among the greatest friends of Israel in Europe," Schwarzenberg said. "There can't be any new settlements."

The Czech Republic is currently entangled in a diplomatic row between the U.S. and Russia over placing U.S. missile defense systems in Europe.

While the defense system may be placed in his country, Schwarzenberg said it is not aimed at any one specific country.

"It is against any danger in this area - maybe Iran or any other country that could become a danger and this is why we need protection for Europe and North America," he said.

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      1.   Stark Warning To Isreal!! 04:48  |  SUNDAY 02/12/08
      2.   "The cuckoo is coming to roost very Soon" 04:50  |  SUNDAY 02/12/08
      3.   Armed action 06:35  |  Dani 02/12/08
      4.   Armed action 06:44  |  Dani 02/12/08
      5.   Czech F.M. to Haraetz: Armed action against Iran would be `catast 07:32  |  martin list, m.d. 02/12/08
      6.   Nuclear Iran. 08:01  |  Jean Van Daem 02/12/08
      7.   Yes, It would be a catastrophe: Only one thing worse 08:25  |  Brad 02/12/08
      8.   Was Not Czech Handed to Germans First? 09:17  |  Baruch Gold 02/12/08
      9.   SUNDAY - NO, you want to see Israel destroyed. I refuse 09:59  |  Ben 02/12/08
      10.   Unfortunately... 10:09  |  Scott G 02/12/08
      11.   Nr1: Mushroom 10:59  |  Serge 02/12/08
      12.   IRAN WON`T STOP ITS URANIUM ENRICHMENT 11:42  |  indrajaya 02/12/08
      13.   @Mr Gold 12:52  |  Ben 02/12/08
      14.   We want ACTION not BRAGGING! 13:44  |  Adamu 02/12/08
      15.   #1 SUNDAY in london.... 13:47  |  Lynn 02/12/08
      16.   Czechoslovakia and Haganah 14:20  |  Manny Goldstein 02/12/08
      17.   War is bad but is Nucklear Iran better? 14:58  |  CM 02/12/08
      18.   For CM # 17 15:14  |  Clickfool 02/12/08
      19.   #18 Clicky.....MAD only works with rational 15:58  |  Lynn 02/12/08
      20.   czech FM 16:23  |  stanley cohen 02/12/08
      21.   Take it easy Baruch 16:27  |  ME 02/12/08
      22.   Lets throw missile at you and see what you say 16:33  |  Realist 02/12/08
      23.   Thanks Manny :) 16:34  |  ME 02/12/08
      24.   #18. Iran`s government has done nothing... 16:37  |  ManintheMiddle 02/12/08
      25.   #@Mr Gold, 17:00  |  Not Ben, Dapper Dan, 02/12/08
      26.   Israel will NOT be Czechoslovakia! 17:15  |  Realist 02/12/08
      27.   How utterly despicable 17:51  |  Magnus K. 02/12/08
      28.   Czechoslovakia 1938 - Israel 2008 19:53  |  dapperdanman 02/12/08
      29.   # 22 realist 23:19  |  Axel 02/12/08
      30.   # 12 And your believe is that you are safe from this weapon.. 00:46  |  SUNDAY 03/12/08
      31.   Lynn,you`re a fool! 00:48  |  tyron 03/12/08
      32.   # 24 Maninthemiddle, you are quite right on that 06:28  |  SUNDAY 03/12/08
      33.   Armed action 07:22  |  Solrac Naitsab Ocsal 04/12/08
      34.   Czech 1938 06:27  |  SB 18/03/09
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