Cross-party initiative to stop Iran attack launched
Campaign Iran | 20.02.2007 17:09 | Anti-militarism
A major new parliamentary initiative will be launched tomorrow aimed at galvanising opposition within the House of Commons against any form of military intervention against Iran. Following a meeting in Westminster, a cross-party delegation will deliver a copy of a statement which is being given to all MP’s for signature, to No.10 and No.11 Downing Street.
Timed to coincide with the expiry of the UN’s Resolution 1737 and coming in the wake of the BBC’s revelations of America’s plans to attack Iran, the initiative, organised by Campaign Iran, aims to make it clear to Tony Blair that any support for a pre-emptive strike on Iran would not have the support of the House or the country.
The statement highlights the assertion last week by the Democrat Party’s in the US that President Bush lacks the authority to take military action against Iran without specific approval from Congress, and makes it clear that Tony Blair would have no authority to be involved in, or give any support to, an attack on Iran without the approval of Parliament.
Professor Abbas Edalat of Campaign Iran said today
“Today the deadline for Iran’s compliance with resolution 1737 has expired and it is possible that, in the near future, President Bush will order a strike on Iran claiming that it was ordered ‘in support of the authority of the UN’, thereby repeating one of the central justifications offered for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. We fear that Tony Blair will offer President Bush either material or logistical support for this pre-emptive attack. We believe that this issue transcends party politics and we call on all MP’s of all political persuasions to sign this statement. Any military attack on Iran would be illegitimate, immoral and counterproductive. We fear that if Members of Parliament fail to make their opposition clear now, they will not be forgiven by the electorate or by history.”
Downing Street Delegation – 1.30pm Wednesday 21st February
For more information:
Contact: Professor Edalat - 0207 2292375
Contact: Press - 07799650791
Timed to coincide with the expiry of the UN’s Resolution 1737 and coming in the wake of the BBC’s revelations of America’s plans to attack Iran, the initiative, organised by Campaign Iran, aims to make it clear to Tony Blair that any support for a pre-emptive strike on Iran would not have the support of the House or the country.
The statement highlights the assertion last week by the Democrat Party’s in the US that President Bush lacks the authority to take military action against Iran without specific approval from Congress, and makes it clear that Tony Blair would have no authority to be involved in, or give any support to, an attack on Iran without the approval of Parliament.
Professor Abbas Edalat of Campaign Iran said today
“Today the deadline for Iran’s compliance with resolution 1737 has expired and it is possible that, in the near future, President Bush will order a strike on Iran claiming that it was ordered ‘in support of the authority of the UN’, thereby repeating one of the central justifications offered for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. We fear that Tony Blair will offer President Bush either material or logistical support for this pre-emptive attack. We believe that this issue transcends party politics and we call on all MP’s of all political persuasions to sign this statement. Any military attack on Iran would be illegitimate, immoral and counterproductive. We fear that if Members of Parliament fail to make their opposition clear now, they will not be forgiven by the electorate or by history.”
Downing Street Delegation – 1.30pm Wednesday 21st February
For more information:
Contact: Professor Edalat - 0207 2292375
Contact: Press - 07799650791
Campaign Iran
Homepage:
http://www.campaigniran.org
