Bush Urges 'One Voice' On Iran

President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder insisted Wednesday that Iran not develop nuclear weapons, and the two discussed tactics on how to coax Tehran into compliance.

"It's vital that the Iranians hear the world speak with one voice that they should not have a nuclear weapon," Bush said at a news conference with the German leader. "Iran must not have a nuclear weapon, for the sake of security and peace."

Schroeder sought to play down any differences the United States and Europe have in convincing Iran to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions.

"We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons." Schroeder said. "Iran must not have any nuclear weapons. They must waive any right to the production thereof."

Bush and Schroeder remain far apart on the subject of how to make Iran give up any plans it has to build such an arsenal, although both said they agreed that the end result must be a nuclear-arms free Iran.

Despite Mr. Bush's insistence that he wants a diplomatic solution, many Europeans worry that America's much harder line on the nuclear threat from Iran could be the first step toward another war, reports CBS Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts.

The two leaders spoke during Bush's nine-hour stop here during his trip to Belgium, Germany and Slovakia, where the president will meet Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bush and Schroeder seemed resigned to accept differences between them on issues such as global warming and Iraq, and yet they sought common ground on ways to move forward.

Schroeder said the two leaders also talked about climate control, noting the United States' refusal to sign the Kyoto global warming agreement as well as international problems, including Iraq and the Middle East.

"I think there is hope today, maybe even more than hope, that we'll come to a solution," Schroeder said, referring to efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Iraq, Schroeder noted that while Germany has refused to go into that wartorn nation, it is training Iraqi security officers in the United Arab Emirates

Schroeder did not support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, but said "that is the past."

"Now, our joint interest is that we come to a stable, democratic Iraq," Schroeder said.

Bush thanked Germany for its "vital" contribution in Iraq.

"I fully understand the limit of German contributions," he said.

Iran dominated the news conference that followed their more than hour-long meeting.

Schroeder wants both sides to make conciliations, including extending incentives to Iran for dropping its nuclear program. Such incentives would include membership in the World Trade Organization. Bush, in contrast, insists that Tehran must not be rewarded for breaking the nonproliferation treaty that prohibits it from making nuclear fuel.

"They were caught enriching uranium," Bush said. "They are the party that needs to be held accountable.

"They have breached a contract with the international community. They're the party that needs to be held to account — not any of us," he said.

Bush also repeated that Syria must remove its forces from Lebanon, noting that the United States and France were seeking a U.N. resolution to force Damascus to do so, following increased tension after last week's assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister.

"The charge is out there for the Syrian government to hear loud and clear," Bush said. "We will see how they respond before there is any further discussions about going back to the United Nations."