Sakineh case (continued). Ashton says yes to a stronger common reaction

(BRUSSELS2) The response of Cathy Ashton, the High Representative of the EU, to this "Dear Bernard" (Kouchner), on the Sakineh case (this mother sentenced to stoning for adultery and complicity in the murder of her husband) did not delay (1). "I agree with you that the time is near for the EU to collectively express its rejection of practices from another era"explains the EU's chief diplomat, in a letter which has just left (and which has reached me... too)."A discreet EU approach is underway in Tehran" she confides (2). "If it produced nothing convincing, I would only see advantages in a collective letter addressed to the Iranian authorities being drafted quickly by the members of the European Union".

Thinking about an action"more efficient"

On the other hand, on the sanctions side, Cathy Ashton is rather cautious. If she is "in favor of a debate being organized between all of us to try to find a more effective strategy than the one we have today", however nothing urgent. Because "the Gymnich agenda" is too overloaded. It will therefore be for later. As for facilitating access to the means of information for Iranians (a measure decided by the 27 in retaliation for the jamming of BBC or Deutsche Welle broadcasts), the work is underway. A meeting of experts "takes place on September 7“, she clarified.

(1) read: Sakineh case: Bernard Kouchner's request

(2) Note that Iran is one of the only "big" countries in the world where the EU does not have an embassy

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)