Voice of Revolution

Obama & Netanyahu Meet at White House
U.S.-Israeli Threats of Nuclear War

President Barack Obama on July 6 met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu at the White House. Their discussions are said to have addressed Israel’s security, Iran and nuclear weapons and peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Both Obama and Netanyahu spoke to the “excellent” character of the discussion.

The Readout of the meeting by the White House makes it absolutely clear that the U.S. will continue to fully back Israel and guarantee her “qualitative military edge.” Obama emphasized in his remarks July 6, “The bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable. It encompasses our national security interests, our strategic interests, but most importantly, the bond of two democracies who share a common set of values and whose people have grown closer and closer as time goes on.”

Netanyahu added, “We have an enduring bond of values, interests, beginning with security and the way that we share both information and other things to help the common defense of our common interests — and many others in the region who don’t often admit to the beneficial effect of this cooperation. The President said it best in his speech in Cairo. He said in front of the entire Islamic world, he said, the bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. And I can affirm that to you today.”

Obama also emphasized that the U.S. has no intention of getting Israel to admit to its nuclear weapons or come under the authority of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Contrary to demanding that Israel come under the NPT, Obama gave Israel the green light to commit crimes against the peace, claiming this was required to defend Israeli security. He threatened that the U.S. will back Israel up emphasizing, “The United States is committed to Israel’s security; we are committed to that special bond; and we are going to do what’s required to back that up, not just in words but with actions.”

The Readout said, “The President reaffirmed the United States’ unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, and the leaders reviewed the significant progress made in recent months to expand coordination between our militaries, to preserve and strengthen Israel’s qualitative military edge, and to fortify Israel’s ballistic missile defenses, including through additional U.S. financial support for Iron Dome [which provides increased anti-missile and missile capabilities in Israel — VOR ed.]. The President told the Prime Minister he recognizes that Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat or possible combination of threats, and that only Israel can determine its security needs. The President pledged to continue U.S. efforts to combat all international attempts to challenge the legitimacy of the State of Israel.”

All of this then is focused on targeting Iran. Netanyahu said, “The President and I had an extensive, excellent discussion in which we discussed a broad range of issues. These include of course our own cooperation in the fields of intelligence and security. And exactly as the President said, it is extensive. Not everything is seen by the public, but it is seen and appreciated by us. We understand fully that we will work together in the coming months and years to protect our common interests, our countries, our peoples, against new threats. The greatest new threat on the horizon, the single most dominant issue for many of us, is the prospect that Iran would acquire nuclear weapons. Iran is brutally terrorizing its people, spreading terrorism far and wide. And I very much appreciate the President’s statement that he is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” At the same time, the U.S. is strengthening Israel’s offensive missile capacities and providing nuclear-weapons related materials for Israel to upgrade her systems.

In speaking further about Iran, the Readout stated, “The President and the Prime Minister reiterated their strong support for the adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929 and the additional U.S. sanctions against Iran.” Obama said, “We have instituted through the U.N. Security Council the toughest sanctions ever directed at an Iranian government. In addition, last week I signed our own set of sanctions, coming out of the United States Congress, as robust as any that we’ve ever seen. Other countries are following suit. And so we intend to continue to put pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations and to cease the kinds of provocative behavior that has made it a threat to its neighbors and the international community.”

Netanyahu added, “I think the latest sanctions adopted by the U.N. create illegitimacy or create de-legitimization for Iran’s nuclear program, and that is important. I think the sanctions the President signed the other day actually have teeth. They bite. The question is — how much do you need to bite is something I cannot answer now.” And Obama once again said that “all options are on the table.” Thus the “bite” a first-strike nuclear attack by the U.S. and/or Israel could become a reality.

Nuclear weapons were specifically addressed. This included the proposals from the recent Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference that Israel sign the NPT and submit its nuclear weapons program to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Conference also proposed a Middle East Conference to discuss establishment of a nuclear-weapons free zone for the Middle East, something which Iran supports. Israel and the U.S. do not.

Iran is already a signatory to the NPT. The IAEA’s General Director recently issued the 22nd Report saying there is no evidence of any military program by Iran.

In speaking about the NPT conference, Obama said, “We discussed issues that arose out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Conference. And I reiterated to the Prime Minister that there is no change in U.S. policy when it comes to these issues. We strongly believe that, given its size, its history, the region that it’s in, and the threats that are leveled against us — against it, that Israel has unique security requirements. It’s got to be able to respond to threats or any combination of threats in the region. And that’s why we remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security. And the United States will never ask Israel to take any steps that would undermine their security interests.”

The Readout elaborated on this further saying, “The President and the Prime Minister discussed the global challenge of nuclear proliferation and the need to strengthen the nonproliferation system. They also exchanged views on the regional conference to discuss a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction and systems for their delivery referenced in the 2010 NPT Review Conference final document. The President informed the Prime Minister that, as a cosponsor charged with enabling the proposed conference, the United States will insist that such a conference will be for discussion aimed at an exchange of views on a broad agenda, to include regional security issues, verification and compliance, and all categories of weapons of mass destruction and systems for their delivery. The President emphasized that the conference will only take place if all countries feel confident that they can attend, and that any efforts to single out Israel will make the prospects of convening such a conference unlikely. In this regard, the two leaders also agreed to work together to oppose efforts to single out Israel at the IAEA General Conference in September. The President emphasized that the United States will continue its long standing practice to work closely with Israel to ensure that arms control initiatives and policies do not detract from Israel’s security, and support our common efforts to strengthen international peace and stability.”

In this manner Obama made clear the U.S. support for Israel’s nuclear weapons and potential use of them. And that the U.S. will not permit the region to be free of nuclear weapons, whether those of the U.S., on submarines and battleships and bombers in the region, or those of Israel. Given it is the U.S. that has used nuclear weapons, and Israel that has them, and that both have said they will use them in an offensive capacity, it is not Iran that threatens the security of the region.

Addressing U.S. efforts to organize peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Authority, President Obama said, “We’ve seen real progress on the ground [in Gaza]. And we believe that there is a way to make sure that the people of Gaza are able to prosper economically, while Israel is able to maintain its legitimate security needs in not allowing missiles and weapons to get to Hamas.” He said Netanyahu is “willing to take risks for peace.” He added, “I think it’s very important that the Palestinians not look for excuses for incitement, that they are not engaging in provocative language; that at the international level, they are maintaining a constructive tone, as opposed to looking for opportunities to embarrass Israel.”

Obama spoke to Netanyahu’s “Willingness to engage in serious negotiations with the Palestinians around what I think should be the goal not just of the two principals involved, but the entire world, and that is two states living side by side in peace and security. Israel’s security needs met, the Palestinians having a sovereign state that they call their own — those are goals that have obviously escaped our grasp for decades now. But now more than ever I think is the time for us to seize on that vision. And I think that Prime Minister Netanyahu is prepared to do so. I believe that the government of Israel is prepared to engage in such direct talks, and I commend the Prime Minister for that.”

Obama also spoke to the role of Arab states saying, “There are going to need to be a whole set of confidence-building measures to make sure that people are serious and that we’re sending a signal to the region that this isn’t just more talk and more process without action. I think it is also important to recognize that the Arab states have to be supportive of peace, because, although ultimately this is going to be determined by the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, they can’t succeed unless you have the surrounding states having as — a greater investment in the process than we’ve seen so far.”

Netanyahu said, “We discussed a great deal about activating, moving forward the quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We’re committed to that peace. I’m committed to that peace. Israelis are prepared to do a lot to get that peace in place, but they want to make sure that after all the steps they take, that what we get is a secure peace. We don’t want a repeat of the situation where we vacate territories and those are overtaken by Iran’s proxies and used as a launching ground for terrorist attacks or rocket attacks. I think it’s high time to begin direct talks. I think with the help of President Obama, President Abbas and myself should engage in direct talks to reach a political settlement of peace, coupled with security and prosperity. This requires that the Palestinian Authority prepare its people for peace — schools, textbooks, and so on. But I think at the end of the day, peace is the best option for all of us, and I think we have a unique opportunity and a unique time to do it.” Direct talks are now expected in the coming weeks.

Both Obama and Netanyahu concluded their remarks again emphasizing the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel and U.S. readiness to take action to guarantee the security of Israel. They also made clear that they will stand against the just demand of the peoples of the region for Israel to rid itself of nuclear weapons and for the U.S. to remove its troops and weapons from the region.

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ALBA Condemns U.S. and Israeli Warmongering

Diplomats from the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) condemned the U.S. and Israeli hostile actions against Iran, and warned of the consequences of unleashing a nuclear conflict.

In joint press conference in Havana, Cuba, July 14, the ambassadors and heads of mission of the eight member countries of the Latin American group criticized Washington and Tel Aviv for encouraging belligerence that will have destabilizing consequences for the whole Middle East. The diplomats deplored the attitude of the Western powers, led by the United States, seeking to provoke a war with Iran using the pretext of doubts that Iran’s nuclear program has only civilian purposes.

They urged the West to remain committed to civilized forms of dialogue and lashed the double standard that applies to nuclear issues worldwide, particularly in this region, especially the West’s support of Israel’s nuclear activities and weapons.

U.S. warships, including several aircraft carriers and ships with nuclear weapons were deployed in the Persian Gulf a few weeks ago in order to intimidate Iran and inspect her merchant vessels.

The ambassadors reaffirmed the support from their governments for the sovereign right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, a right of all nations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).

They also supported the actions of Brazil and Turkey to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute by signing the Declaration of Tehran on May 17 as an alternative to the West’s rejection to the enrichment of uranium by Iran.

ALBA granted Iran the status of observer, pursuant to a request made by Tehran in 2007.

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Iran Rejects G8 Communique

Iran rejected the final communiqué of the recent G8 Summit. In a June 28 interview with Fars news agency, Head of the Iranian Parliament’s (Majlis) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said, “The G8 statement against Iran’s nuclear program has no legal value.”

In their final statement issued on June 26, G8 leaders recognized Iran’s right to a civilian nuclear program while expressing concern over what they called Iran’s lack of transparency regarding its nuclear work.

“Our goal is to persuade Iran’s leaders to engage in a transparent dialogue about its nuclear activities and to meet Iran’s international obligations,” they said.

The Iranian lawmaker went on to criticize U.S. policies, saying that the U.S. and its allies are not interested in resolving the issue outside the framework of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The U.S. specifically blocked the plan worked out by Brazil, Turkey and Iran, known as the Tehran Declaration, and instead pushed for sanctions at the UN Security Council. President Barack Obama also took executive action to increase sanctions and pushed Congress to pass new sanctions as well (see VOR updates for June 29 and 30).

Iran’s lawmaker brought this out, saying, “After issuance of the Tehran declaration, which provides the best way to supply the fuel needed for the Tehran research reactor, Washington pushed for the adoption of a resolution for sanctions and put other countries under pressure to issue statements against Iran.”

Boroujerdi stated that leaders of G8 — which includes four of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the UNSC, Britain, France, Russia, and the U.S. — plus Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan, are also pursuing U.S. policies while numerous reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have confirmed the non-diversion of nuclear material in the country.

Iran, Brazil and Turkey issued the Tehran declaration on May 17, with Iran announcing its readiness to exchange 1,200 kilograms of its low enriched uranium on Turkish soil for fuel for its medical research reactor, which contributes to combating cancer.

However, the majority of the 15-member UNSC imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Tehran on June 9.

Iran rejects Western allegations that its nuclear program harbors a secret military aspect, affirming that as an IAEA member and a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to peaceful and civilian nuclear energy. Just prior to the UNSC imposing sanctions, the General Director of the IAEA issued the 22nd report confirming that Iran has no nuclear weapons program.

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Iranian Political Analyst:
U.S. War On Iran Would Be A Serious Mistake

The United States would m ake a serious mistake if it gets involved in a war against Iran, an Iranian political analyst told Prensa Latina, saying a U.S.-Israeli military attack was a real threat. According to Hamid Shahrab, also a social activist, many events point to a new stage of confrontation between the Islamic Revolution and the hegemonic powers, led by Washington and Tel Aviv’s Zionist regime. Those events include the advance of warships, aircraft carriers and U.S. nuclear submarines, along with Israeli military ships, towards Iran’s coasts, said Shahrab.

The danger of a U.S.-Israeli military attack on Iran is real and all humanity is being threatened, including the U.S. people, who like others are not interested in such inhuman acts, Shahrabi in an Internet interview from Tehran. In his opinion, it would be a serious mistake by the Barack Obama administration to underestimate a nation with a very deeply-rooted culture of resistance, which cedes no ground to oppression.

He noted that the recent resolutions of the UN Security Council, the U.S. Congress and the European Union, all increasing economic sanctions against Iran, are providing excuses for the idea of military ships inspecting Iranian ships. Along with these clear acts of provocation, the current confrontation was preceded by a series of defamatory campaigns over alleged violations of human rights in Iran and interference in their internal affairs, Shahrabi explained.

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