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Against a nuclear Iran
Interview with Ali Javadi
September 17, 2004
iranian.com
Iran has angered USA and European countries by
re-starting parts of its nuclear program and refusing to abandon
efforts to master uranium enrichment. Iran has declared that threats
to send its nuclear case to the U.N. Security Council will not
make it drop its quest for nuclear technology. Why won't
it back down?
Ali Javadi: I believe all indications are pointing toward the direction
that the Islamic regime of Iran is moving forward with its nuclear
programme in order to equip itself with weapons of mass destruction.
It seems to be the only way at this point in time that the Islamic
regime can save itself from confronting the opposition and the
protesting people and its contradictions. This is the regime's
last resort to save itself at this juncture.
But the Islamic regime of Iran insists it is for
peaceful purposes. Is that not the case?
This is what the Islamic regime claims. But all indicators
and evidence state otherwise. The degree of the uranium enrichment
found is much beyond that which is needed for peaceful purposes.
Such a degree is designed for weapons use.
Also it is clear that
the Islamic regime of Iran wants to have access to nuclear weapons
in order to change the balance of power and face the opposition
particularly after 'regime change' having taken place
in Iraq. The Islamic regime sees this as the only weapon possible
vis-à-vis a regime change policy. They are striving to pursue
the line that North Korea pursued, to access atomic weapons and
position themselves differently vis-à-vis their confrontations
in the world.
Some would say the Islamic regime of Iran has a
legitimate right to use advanced nuclear technology. Does it?
Peaceful technology and peaceful use of nuclear technology
is something that is obviously within the domain of all countries
but the Islamic regime is geared towards developing WMD and nuclear
weapons. These Islamic beasts, this political movement must not
be allowed to be equipped with the atomic bomb. As it is they are
a machinery of killing.
Some anti-imperialists like the fact that Iran
is standing up to the USA, west and say Israel has such capabilities
and so does several other western countries; why pick on Iran?
Israel should not have WMD. The USA should not have
them. Israel's having WMD doesn't justify the Islamic
regime having them. No one should have WMD. All of these weapons
are geared towards the destruction of humanity and are a threat
against people; the victims of these weapons are people alone.
If you are on the people's side, you can only argument for
their elimination and have a movement to eliminate WMD rather than
taking one side over the other.
What would be the purpose of the regime having these weapons? What
would the further expansion of nuclear weapons in the world serve?
It would only serve to increase the degree of threats against the
people.
The history of this Islamic movement has shown what these weapons
are used for. Anyone who is even a little familiar with the Islamic
movement will not accept such an argument at all.
Is it ever justifiable to have nuclear weapons?
Some argue that it's useful as a threat to maintain peace.
Do you agree?
No, I don't. The best argument here is that not
having it is a much stronger weapon for peace. And if the peace
movement could disarm the nuclear machinery, it would be a much
stronger means for achieving peace.
What should progressive people's policies
be towards the regime's nuclear project?
They should oppose it. They should join our ranks to
overthrow the Islamic regime of Iran; that's the only way
to stop the regime's accessing nuclear weapons. The safest
bet is to speed up the process of overthrowing the regime by the
revolutionary movement of people. All progressive forces, socialist
forces, all those who care for humanity and want to remove this
danger from the world scene should join our ranks to oppose the
Islamic regime having access to nuclear programmes and also any
other state.
The above is an International
TV interview dated August 9, 2004.
About
Maryam Namazie is the host of TV
International English, is a Central Council Member
of the Organisation of Women's Liberation and Director
of the International Relations Committee of the Worker-communist
Party of Iran.
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