Britain Determined to Stop Iranian Weapons: Brown
Britain is committed to stopping Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Israel today.
Referring to the Iranian President’s reference to Israel being “wiped of the map” as “abhorrent”, Brown urged Iran to discard its nuclear activity. If not, he added, the country would face “growing isolation.”
His assertions formed part of a speech delivered to the Knesset – Israel’s parliament.
Iranian Nuclear Weapons
Brown said in his speech that together, Britain, the US and the EU were adamant that they would stop Iran producing a nuclear weapon.
"For the whole of my life, I have counted myself as a friend of Israel", he stated, subsequently listing the country’s accomplishments in spite of the obstacles it has been faced with.
He continued: "To those who question Israel's very right to exist, and threaten the lives of its citizens through terror, we say: the people of Israel have a right to live here, to live freely and to live in security.
"To those who are enemies of progress we say: we condemn anti-Semitism and persecution in all its forms.
"To those who believe that threatening statements fall upon indifferent ears we say in one voice - it is totally abhorrent for the president of Iran to call for Israel to be wiped from the map of the world.
"Our country will continue to lead, with the US and our European partners in our determination to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons programme.
"We stand ready to lead in taking firmer sanctions and will ask the whole international community to join us."
Iran’s “Clear Choice”
The Prime Minister placed emphasis on the “clear choice” Iran now had to make. This, he said, was to either “suspend its nuclear weapons programme and accept our offer of negotiations, or face growing isolation and the collective response, not just of one nation, but of all nations round the world."
New Islamic, Palestinian State
Four years ago, Iran’s President Ahmadinejad delivered a speech urging for the state of Israel to no longer exist, adding that he saw an Islamic/ Palestinian state taking over instead.
In the opinion of Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Gordon Brown’s call was a valid one.
The Prime Minister, he said, was "absolutely right" in criticising Ahmadinejad’s "vile threats to Israel", adding, however: "He [Brown] must come clean about his position on military action against Iran.
"He must make it clear that Britain will not give its approval to a unilateral strike by Israel.
"This would have devastating consequences for the region, and for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."
A spokesman for the PM highlighted the prospect of additional sanctions on Iran being concerned with the country’s energy resources.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Middle East Correspondent
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