Letter to the Editor.
The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) is disappointed with US President Barack Obama for rejecting outright the Brazil-Turkey initiative on Iran’s nuclear programme. Obama could have welcomed it as an important first step towards building trust between Western powers and Iran.
Iran’s agreement with Brazil and Turkey is significant because Iran is willing to ship most of its low enriched uranium out of the country in exchange for higher enriched non-weapon grade fuel rods used for research in cancer treatment. The US and its allies have all along insisted that Iran allows external actors to exercise a degree of control over its nuclear enrichment programme. They have also demanded that any nuclear swap should take place in foreign territory.
And yet when Iran complies with some of their conditions, its action is summarily dismissed “as a delaying tactic.” aimed at averting a new round of even harsher sanctions that may soon be imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). US officials have even responded to the Brazil-Turkey-Iran (BTI) agreement by stigmatizing the Iranian leadership as “unworthy of trust”.
The sanctions that the US, other permanent members of the UNSC, and Germany are proposing indirectly targets Iran’s military capability and its financial arteries. The real objective is clear: to emasculate Iran.
The approach adopted by the US government parallels what it did to Iraq a decade ago. Sanctions were tightened from phase to phase. Any positive response from the Iraqi government was treated with contempt as “untrustworthy” or “a delaying tactic.” Horrendous lies were fabricated about Iraq’s non-existent nuclear weapons programme. The culmination was of course the US-helmed invasion and occupation of Iraq.
As was the case with Iraq, it is Israel and the Zionist and Christian Zionist lobbies in Washington that are pushing the US to crush Iran. In a sense, the Israeli regime has for years regarded Iran as the greatest threat to its existence. It explains why in 2002, former Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, suggested that from Israel’s security standpoint it is Iran that the US should first attack.
It is only too obvious that tightening the screws on Iran is central to Israel’s agenda. It is a dangerous agenda because it could lead to war. This is why the world should reject the new US proposed sanctions resolution submitted to the UNSC on the 18th of May. Those who endorse the resolution should withdraw their support immediately. Russia and China in particular should realize its full implications.
In this regard, it is encouraging that China has welcomed the BTI agreement. As a permanent member of the UNSC, it has to go further. Indonesia has also come out in full support. One hopes that Malaysia will endorse the BTI agreement soonest.
There is a larger significance about supporting the Brazil-Turkey-Iran initiative. It is the clearest example so far of two middle powers working closely with a third to resolve the latter’s problem. It is a reflection of changing patterns of power in international politics. The emergence of middle powers prepared to defend their interests and to uphold certain principles that serve the larger good of humanity is an important historical development. In the transition from superpower politics to multi-polar politics, middle powers would be crucial role players.
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar,
President,
International Movement for a Just World (JUST).
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
22 May 2010