PM Netanyahu Comments on Baghdad Talks
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Following are remarks that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made about the
Baghdad talks, earlier today (Friday), 18.5.12, at a press availability in
Prague:

"Obviously, nothing would be better than to see this issue resolved
diplomatically. But I have seen no evidence that Iran is serious about
stopping its nuclear weapons program. It looks as though they see these
talks as another opportunity to device and delay just like North Korea did
for years.

They may try to go from meeting to meeting with empty promises. They may
agree to something in principle but not implement it. They might even agree
to implement something that does not materially derail their nuclear weapons
program.

Iran is good at playing this chess game. They know that sometimes you have
to sacrifice a pawn to save the king. The goal of these negotiations should
be very clear:

Freeze all enrichment inside Iran.

Remove all enriched material outside of Iran.

And dismantle Qom.

When this goal is achieved, I will be the first to applaud. Until then,
count me among the skeptics."