Germany appealed Saturday for the United States to join Europe in ending the isolation of Iran, saying economic and security incentives were needed to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. "I strongly encourage the U.S. administration to actively support the Europeans' diplomatic efforts," German Defense Minister Peter Struck told a security conference. "We must overcome Iran's massive isolation, for Iran will only abandon its nuclear ambitions for good if not only its economic but also its legitimate security interests are safeguarded." The speech was drafted for German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, but was delivered by Struck after flu forced the Schroeder to drop out of the annual conference. Germany, France and Britain are leading European diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to drop activities that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. They are offering financial and technical assistance, and trade talks as incentives.
