A. Germany has been less staunch, worrying more than the others that Iran may make good on its threat to leave the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
B. Yet Iran is exhausting the patience of even the friendlier European governments.
C. Britain and France have told Iran privately that it must fulfill its obligations to the IAEA, and also its original promise of a full suspension of enrichment-related activity.
D. But, ultimately, it agrees with its European partners that Iran must toe the line.
E. The reasons for the three countries' stance are not far to seek - An Iran that went nuclear despite repeated European overtures would make a mockery of European claims to be defter at diplomacy than heavy-handed America.
BCADE