2009-07-02 10:36:05 -

BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Thursday for next week's Group of Eight summit to send a «strong message of unity» in support of Iranians' human rights, and said efforts to address concerns over Tehran's nuclear ambitions must remain on track.
Merkel has called for Iran to recount the votes in its disputed presidential election, and repeatedly has spoken out for Iranians' right to demonstrate. G-8 leaders meet in Italy next week, after their foreign ministers last week deplored Iran's postelection violence.
«I hope there will be a strong message of unity from the meeting, unity that the right to demonstrate and human rights are indivisible and apply to Iran; that our thoughts are with the people who are being arrested every day now; and that we will do everything not to lose sight of these people,» Merkel told the German parliament.
Merkel drew a parallel with communist East Germany, where she grew up, saying it was helpful that the outside world did not forget political repression there.
The world also must not lose sight of the long-running dispute over Iran's nuclear program, Merkel said. Germany has been among the six countries leading efforts to defuse concerns _ rejected by Tehran _ that Iran is seeking a nuclear bomb.
«We cannot allow ourselves no longer to attend to the issue of a nuclear armament of Iran because the situation in Iran is the way it is,» Merkel told lawmakers. «That would be absolutely wrong, and so we must pursue an internationally agreed path.
She underlined her support for President Barack Obama's offer of direct talks with Iran.

Merkel did not say what concrete action the international community might consider over Iran's crackdown or its nuclear program.
On Monday, the summit's host, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, said G-8 leaders would discuss possible sanctions against Iran.
«The leadership in Iran must know that, if it pursues a sensible path, we want Iran to have prosperous development _ that also goes for our approach to the nuclear program,» Merkel said. «But if that is not the case, we will not shy away from speaking our mind.