"There will be a deadline, which in my view is the month of December," Sarkozy told French television from New York where he is attending the 64th United Nations General Assembly session.
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the 64th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 23, 2009. The 64th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off its general debate on Wednesday |
The French president expressed his dissatisfaction with unfruitful talks with Iran over nuclear issue. "Now we all know towards what catastrophes our obstinate attempts to solve the problems of the 21st century with 20th century ideas and instruments may lead us."
Speaking of the French teaching assistant Clotilde Reiss, being confined in Iran on accusation of spying, Sarkozy rejected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's suggestion of prisoner exchange.
"No. This is blackmail," Sarkozy said. "Clotilde Reiss is innocent."
When interviewed by France 2 television aired on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad suggested that France can release some Iranian prisoners in exchange for Reiss' release.