Debate on Iran in the European Parliament on 30th January 2008 in Brussels

Tobias Pflüger, on behalf of the GUE/NGL group – Mr. President! There is a new situation after the presentation of the U.S. Intelligence Services. What is necessary now is a moratorium in connection with the nuclear question. This case must be returned to the International Atomic Energy Agency and be taken away from the United Nations Security Council. There is a very vivid civil society in Iran, despite all repressions such as those against trade unionists.

Unbearable is, for example, the rejection of candidates for the parliamentary election. I clearly speak against any intensification of sanctions. This will be counterproductive, in particular also for the democratic opposition. There are still threats of war against Iran, in particular on the part of the United States of America, but also on the part of European countries. My group clearly opposes any threat of war and any war planning.

Mr. Solana, your staff member, Robert Cooper, has been quoted in the British Guardian with regard to Nato’s new paper on nuclear weapons as follows: “Maybe we are going to use nuclear weapons before anyone else, but I’d be wary of saying it out loud.” Mr. Solana, was this statement made in connection with Iran, and when are you going to distance yourself from this statement?

Again: No war and no escalation against Iran, but instead negotiations!