Israel PM calls for dramatic measures on Iran

Berlin, Dec 9: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called formore dramatic measures to be taken against Iran and declined to ruleout a military attack against Tehran in an interview with Germany'sSpiegel magazine.

Olmert criticised the international community's hesitation indealing with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The West fears Iran'snuclear programme is aimed at developing nuclear weapons but Tehrandenies this.

''I am anything but happy,'' Olmert was quoted as saying in an interview released ahead of publication tomorrow.

''I expect significantly more dramatic steps to be taken. Here isa leader who says openly that it is his aim to wipe Israel off the map.Israel is a member of the United Nations.'' ''That someone says such athing these days is absolutely criminal.'' When asked if he would notrule out a military strike against Tehran, Olmert replied: ''I rulenothing out.'' Olmert repeated he was prepared to withdraw from themajority of settlements in the occupied West Bank.

''A prime minister should not make promises that he cannot keepbut my message is clear: I am prepared to give up regions. That meansthat I am ready to evacuate territories. You know how hard this is,''he said.

''And we are ready to do this in such a way that would allow thePalestinians in the West Bank to have a contiguous state. I am notmaking any conditions which would not be made by the internationalcommunity.'' Olmert is due to visit Germany on Tuesday and will hold ajoint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Reuters