14/11/2007
Brown Backs Bush Over Iran
The UK will support George Bush if the US takes the threatened tough action on Iran over its suspected nuclear activity.
Gordon Brown delivered his biggest foreign policy speech since taking over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister, addressing guests at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in the City of London.
Mr Brown reaffirmed Britain's close ties with America - declaring his admiration for the nation - and vowed to back the US as it puts more pressure on Iran.
Summing up his approach as "hard-headed internationalism", Mr Brown warned that the UK will seek a worldwide ban on energy investment in Iran if the country continues to defy the international community.
He made clear the UK would also urge both the EU and the United Nations to impose tougher sanctions on financial sector dealings with the country.
Mr Brown said: "Iran should be in no doubt about the seriousness of our purpose."
And he said moves should follow unless there were "positive outcomes" from both an EU and an International Atomic Energy Authority report into Iran's nuclear programme.
He added: "We will lead in seeking tougher sanctions both at the UN and in the European Union, including on oil and gas investment and the financial sector."
Mr Brown repeated long-standing British calls for reform of international institutions - such as expanding the UN Security Council to include African countries and major economies such as Japan and Germany.
He also said the G8 group of leading industrialised democracies had to continue to broaden its horizons.
On the situation in Pakistan, Mr Brown urged President Pervez Musharraf to step down as head of the army, restore the constitution, free political prisoners and hold "free and fair elections" in January.
For once, the opposition was in agreement with the government as Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "We have called for many months for international sanctions targeted at investment in Iranian oil and gas, and its financial sector.
"The Prime Minister has listened and has finally come round to our way of thinking. We welcome this and look to the urgent implementation of his proposals."
(BMcC)
Gordon Brown delivered his biggest foreign policy speech since taking over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister, addressing guests at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in the City of London.
Mr Brown reaffirmed Britain's close ties with America - declaring his admiration for the nation - and vowed to back the US as it puts more pressure on Iran.
Summing up his approach as "hard-headed internationalism", Mr Brown warned that the UK will seek a worldwide ban on energy investment in Iran if the country continues to defy the international community.
He made clear the UK would also urge both the EU and the United Nations to impose tougher sanctions on financial sector dealings with the country.
Mr Brown said: "Iran should be in no doubt about the seriousness of our purpose."
And he said moves should follow unless there were "positive outcomes" from both an EU and an International Atomic Energy Authority report into Iran's nuclear programme.
He added: "We will lead in seeking tougher sanctions both at the UN and in the European Union, including on oil and gas investment and the financial sector."
Mr Brown repeated long-standing British calls for reform of international institutions - such as expanding the UN Security Council to include African countries and major economies such as Japan and Germany.
He also said the G8 group of leading industrialised democracies had to continue to broaden its horizons.
On the situation in Pakistan, Mr Brown urged President Pervez Musharraf to step down as head of the army, restore the constitution, free political prisoners and hold "free and fair elections" in January.
For once, the opposition was in agreement with the government as Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "We have called for many months for international sanctions targeted at investment in Iranian oil and gas, and its financial sector.
"The Prime Minister has listened and has finally come round to our way of thinking. We welcome this and look to the urgent implementation of his proposals."
(BMcC)
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08 March 2004
UN atomic watchdog voices 'concern' over Iran's disclosure gaps
The UN's atomic watchdog agency has today voiced "serious concern" over gaps in Tehran’s declaration of nuclear activities and called on it to take the “vital” initiative to provide all relevant information "fully and promptly" in the coming months.
UN atomic watchdog voices 'concern' over Iran's disclosure gaps
The UN's atomic watchdog agency has today voiced "serious concern" over gaps in Tehran’s declaration of nuclear activities and called on it to take the “vital” initiative to provide all relevant information "fully and promptly" in the coming months.
04 March 2009
Unapologetic Brown Reaches Out To Congress
Gordon Brown is to make a joint address to both US houses of congress today, in a bid to strengthen UK and American relations amid a growing international financial crisis. The Prime Minister will become the fifth British leader to speak at Capitol Hill, and is expected to urge US lawmakers to "seize the moment" and "make the future work for us".
Unapologetic Brown Reaches Out To Congress
Gordon Brown is to make a joint address to both US houses of congress today, in a bid to strengthen UK and American relations amid a growing international financial crisis. The Prime Minister will become the fifth British leader to speak at Capitol Hill, and is expected to urge US lawmakers to "seize the moment" and "make the future work for us".
04 September 2007
High Speed London To Paris Line Opens
A Eurostar train has set a new record time for travelling between Paris and London along a new high-speed line. Members of the media travelled on the line, which is known as High Speed 1, and the train arrived in London at midday.
High Speed London To Paris Line Opens
A Eurostar train has set a new record time for travelling between Paris and London along a new high-speed line. Members of the media travelled on the line, which is known as High Speed 1, and the train arrived in London at midday.
29 November 2010
Wikileaks Highlight 'Criticism Of UK'
According to the Guardian, UK operations in Afghanistan have come under fire by US State Department files released by a whistle-blowing website. The latest data, published by the Wikileaks website, criticises David Cameron and inappropriate remarks by the Duke of York regarding a law enforcement agency and foreign country.
Wikileaks Highlight 'Criticism Of UK'
According to the Guardian, UK operations in Afghanistan have come under fire by US State Department files released by a whistle-blowing website. The latest data, published by the Wikileaks website, criticises David Cameron and inappropriate remarks by the Duke of York regarding a law enforcement agency and foreign country.
05 September 2003
British embassy staff allowed to leave Iran
Non-essential personnel at the British embassy in Tehran are to be allowed to leave the country following a gun attack on the building earlier this week. However, the Foreign Office said that it did not consider that there was a threat to Britons living or working in Iran, and the announcement stopped short of advising British people to leave Iran.
British embassy staff allowed to leave Iran
Non-essential personnel at the British embassy in Tehran are to be allowed to leave the country following a gun attack on the building earlier this week. However, the Foreign Office said that it did not consider that there was a threat to Britons living or working in Iran, and the announcement stopped short of advising British people to leave Iran.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.