Israel will decide on Iran as "independent state" - FMMarch 4, 2012 - 17:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel will decide on what to do about Iran's nuclear activities as an "independent state," Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday, March 4 on the eve of a U.S.-Israel summit in Washington, AFP reported. "Clearly, the United States is the biggest world power and the biggest and most important country that is a friend of Israel, but we are an independent state," Lieberman told Israeli public radio. "Ultimately, the state of Israel will make the decisions that are most appropriate based on its evaluation of the situation," he said. Lieberman's comments came shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to hold talks in Washington with U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday, a meeting expected to focus heavily on Iran's nuclear activities. Israel, Washington and much of the international community believes that Iran's nuclear program masks a weapons drive, a charge Tehran denies. U.S. intelligence is said to believe that Iran does not currently intend to produce nuclear weapons, though it may be seeking the capacity to do so, and Washington has emphasised the importance of deterrent sanctions and diplomacy. But Israel is reportedly eager to move more quickly and decisively against Iran's nuclear activities, using a military strike to prevent it from obtaining even the capacity to take a decision to produce nuclear weapons. "The Iranian file is well-known," Lieberman said. "The direction taken by Iran is clear." But he added that any decisions should be made "calmly, weighing the pros and cons. All this chatter doesn't help anyone." Lieberman also warned that the international community's failure to deal with the bloodshed in Syria, where a crackdown on anti-regime protesters has killed thousands, showed Israel could rely only on itself for protection. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |