(CBS) One of the leaders at the nuclear summit in Washington this week is President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
It's his second trip to Washington in two weeks. In an exclusive interview Monday, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric asked him about what he believes can be done in response to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Couric: You have very passionately advocated stronger sanctions against Iran. What exactly do you mean by stronger sanctions and to what end?
Sarkozy (translator): I consider the fact that Iran should get its hands on a nuclear weapon-- a military nuclear weapon, together with the many statements made by Iranian leaders against the democracy that is Israel is dangerous and unacceptable. Unacceptable, quite simply President Obama wanted to stretch out his hand in order to show clearly to the Iranians that it was not they who were the target, but their leadership. Patience has its limits.
Couric: Are you optimistic you'll be able to do that within the purview of the U.N. Security Council, or do you believe that they'll significantly weak-- weaken the sanctions so they're not effective?
Sarkozy (translator): I'm a realist. I'm down to earth. The best solution is the unity of the security council, but not at any price. Not at the price of a resolution that is so toothless that it would achieve nothing.
Couric: How concerned are you, Mister President, about a potential Israeli military strike against Iranian-- Iranian nuclear facility?
Sarkozy (translator): That would be disastrous. It would be a disaster. I don't even want to think it was possible. And the best way-- to avoid this disaster scenario is to take measures in order to get Israel to understand that we are determined to ensure its security. And Israel, furthermore, must equally make the necessary effort in order to bring about a fair and lasting peace with their Palestinian neighbors.
It's his second trip to Washington in two weeks. In an exclusive interview Monday, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric asked him about what he believes can be done in response to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Couric: You have very passionately advocated stronger sanctions against Iran. What exactly do you mean by stronger sanctions and to what end?
Sarkozy (translator): I consider the fact that Iran should get its hands on a nuclear weapon-- a military nuclear weapon, together with the many statements made by Iranian leaders against the democracy that is Israel is dangerous and unacceptable. Unacceptable, quite simply President Obama wanted to stretch out his hand in order to show clearly to the Iranians that it was not they who were the target, but their leadership. Patience has its limits.
Couric: Are you optimistic you'll be able to do that within the purview of the U.N. Security Council, or do you believe that they'll significantly weak-- weaken the sanctions so they're not effective?
Sarkozy (translator): I'm a realist. I'm down to earth. The best solution is the unity of the security council, but not at any price. Not at the price of a resolution that is so toothless that it would achieve nothing.
Couric: How concerned are you, Mister President, about a potential Israeli military strike against Iranian-- Iranian nuclear facility?
Sarkozy (translator): That would be disastrous. It would be a disaster. I don't even want to think it was possible. And the best way-- to avoid this disaster scenario is to take measures in order to get Israel to understand that we are determined to ensure its security. And Israel, furthermore, must equally make the necessary effort in order to bring about a fair and lasting peace with their Palestinian neighbors.