NUCLEAR: Europe Big Three Near Deal with Iran to Avoid “Nightmare,” German Foreign Minister Says

German foreign minister Joschka Fischer said to avoid the nightmare of an arms race in the region, Britain, France and Germany were close to a deal to supply Iran with nuclear energy technology in exchange for assurances on Iran’s nuclear program. August 29, 2004 A nuclear buildup in Iran triggers an arms race in the Middle East that would be a “nightmare,” German foreign minister Joschka Fischer said on Sunday during a press conference in Jordan. He said Europe’s Big Three were near a deal to supply Iran with nuclear technology. “It would be a nightmare for the region ... if there would be the beginning of an arms race - a nuclear arms race - in the region,” Fischer said. “We are in intensive talks with Iran, and we hope the leadership in Tehran would not miscalculate the situation,” he added. “We think we have reached an agreement, and we are ready to fulfill our part step by step and word by word,” Fischer said, referring to an agreement to supply Iran with nuclear energy technology. The Islamic government resumed uranium enrichment activity after accusing Europe’s Big Three of backing out on their October 2003 promise of assistance in Iran’s nuclear program. “We are really very serious to find a way out of a very dangerous, possible confrontation,” Fischer said. The German minister is on a Middle East tour. He arrived in Jordan after visiting Syria, and was scheduled to visit Israel next.