February 24 , 2007February 24 , 2007
Press releaseRegarding recent developments about Iran, Panos Trigazis, Member of the SYNASPISMOS Political Secretariat, responsible for Foreign Policy, made the following statement:
“Unfortunately, there are increasing signs that a military raid against Iran is being prepared. The US naval build up in the region, together with news reports that Israel has plans to attack nuclear installations in Iran, leave no room for complacency.
An immediate mobilization is required on a diplomatic, political and social level in order to avoid the danger of Iran turning into a new Iraq but, in addition, to put a stop to the alarming shift towards militarism which is also expressed with the plans of European countries’ participation to the so-called “anti-missile defense” of the USA. It is inadmissible for the EU and the European governments - the Greek one included- to remain passive, neutral or, worse of all, to be accomplices to these dangerous developments.
Negotiations with Iran should be resumed. As part of the left forces we are struggling against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and their acquisition by any country. On the other hand, nuclear weapons proliferation can only be prevented by peaceful negotiations and respect to UN resolutions. The five nuclear powers, who are permanent members of the UN Security Council must also assume their responsibility in order to establish a course towards general nuclear disarmament. Particularly for the Middle East, the solution is for the whole region to be proclaimed a nuclear weapon free zone, provided also by the UN General Assembly resolutions.
Athens, 24 February 2007