France, Russia Move Closer on Iran

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (AP) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after talks Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two countries had bridged some of their differences over how the world should respond to Iran’s nuclear activities.

Sarkozy, on his first presidential visit to Russia, gave no details about the leaders’ "convergences" on Iran or any signal that a quick solution to the international standoff is in sight. Russian officials made no public mention of progress.

But Sarkozy — who has toed a tough line on Russia recently — struck a decidely upbeat note after more than three hours of talks with Putin on a number of touchy subjects.
"Our positions moved much closer together" on Iran, Sarkozy told reporters. He mentioned "many convergences" over Iran during their three hours of talks Tuesday night.
Sarkozy has hardened France’s stance on Iran in recent months, shifting closer to the United States in his insistence on tough U.N. Security Council sanctions and even his mention of the possibility of war. While the United States and European nations are pressing for greater sanctions, Russia and China have resisted.
Putin heads to Iran early next week amid heightened international tensions over Tehran’s refusal to suspend uranium enrichment — activity the U.S. claims is aimed at building weapons but Iran insists is for peaceful purposes.
Asked whether Putin could stake out a new position on defusing the standoff, Sarkozy responded only that Putin’s trip would be "very useful."
The French leader said he discussed diplomatic successes with North Korea as a possible example for the Iran dilemma, noting the influence China had in bringing North Koreans to negotiations.
Sarkozy said the two also made progress on differences over Kosovo’s independence. Despite Russian opposition, Sarkozy insisted that independence is "indispensable" and hinted at a possible path toward a solution, without elaborating.
Sarkozy said he and Putin spent a lot of time discussing Russia’s political future.
Sarkozy was the first Western leader to meet Putin since his announcement last week that he would lead Russia’s biggest party into parliamentary elections in December, leaving the door open to a job as prime minister. That would allow him to keep hold of Russia’s reins even after his second presidential term expires next May.
Sarkozy recently accused Russia of "brutality" in exercising its energy dominance in the region, and has courted central and eastern European leaders bristling under Moscow’s renewed influence.
He was less caustic after the talks, which he described as "long, relaxed, deep, frank, passionate."
He said he was honest with Putin about French concerns over the killing a year ago of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a critic on Russia’s actions in Chechnya and over the rights of homosexuals in Russia.
Upon arrival at Putin’s forest estate Tuesday night, Sarkozy stayed firm with the Russian president, saying he would defend France’s convictions. But he also said he would try to understand Russia, whose relations with Iran and increasing assertiveness have raised global concern.
"I appreciate the strength of your convictions," Sarkozy told Putin. "I think that we can understand each other, because such convictions, I have them too."
Sarkozy added that France wants to be Russia’s "friend." Putin responded with an oft-repeated verse from 19th century Russian poet Fyodor Tyutchev: "One cannot understand Russia with the mind. … One can only believe in it."
Putin expressed hope that trade between the countries would grow.
"France has been and I hope will be a priority partner in Europe and the world," he said.
Off camera, the two presidents chatted about jogging and swimming, and Sarkozy rode shotgun as Putin drove him across the grounds in a Mercedes. Their talks were to resume on Wednesday.