[Prime Minister's Office] Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Herzliya Conference on Wednesday: "Today, there is not one among us who does not sense the dangers inherent in [the Iranian] threat, not only to Israel, but also to the future of the region and to the stability of the world order. Every Israeli government over the past decade acted vigorously to improve our ability to track Iran's intentions, increase international awareness of the threat, mobilize international support to stop external assistance of the Iranian plans and prepare appropriate options in the event that these efforts prove unsuccessful in the end." "It is clear to everyone that a diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue is the preferred solution....Those who believe, as we do, that a diplomatic solution is preferable, must now muster their strength to exert pressure on Iran and thus stay the course until change is achieved....Our desire for peace should not be interpreted as weakness, but rather as a source of strength. Anyone who threatens us, who threatens our existence, must know that we have the determination and capability of defending ourselves, responding with force, discretion and with all the means at our disposal as necessary. We will not place the lives of our people, the life of our country, at risk....We have the right to full freedom of action to act in defense of our vital interests. We will not hesitate to use it."
2007-01-25 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive