THE CAUCASUS PLATFORM LEAVES OUT IRAN AND IS SPONSORED BY THE USA
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.09.2008 GMT+04:00
Especially interested in the non-admission of Iran into the Caucasus
platform is Israel, since in that case, the activity of the European
lobby in Washington would be hindered.
Turkish Prime-Minister Recep Erdogan’s initiative on forming "Peace and
Stability Caucasus Platform" almost coincided with the regular rumors
on the possible attack of the USA on Iran. As such, the struggle for
becoming a regional power-holder passed on to the next, and, quite
possibly, to the concluding phase. Naturally, the USA openly backs
up Turkey in this struggle, while Russia holds a neutral position,
giving preference to neither of the sides.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ However, no one displays interest in the position of
the South Caucasian states, which have caused all this mess. According
to Kamal Zareh, Representative of the Iranian Embassy to Armenia on
political issues, "The South Caucasian states come to the conclusion
that they should not set hopes on non-regional countries for the
solution of their own problems."
However, it is exactly what the USA, Israel and Turkey beware
of. Especially interested in the non-admission of Iran into the
Caucasus platform is Israel, since in that case, the activity of
the European lobby in Washington would be hindered. It should be
admitted that more probably Turkey would bend towards Iran rather
than towards Israel for the good reason that it is easier for two
Muslim countries to get along. Besides, the Government of Erdogan
would not like to look a rara avis in the eyes of his Muslim brothers,
since only Turkey and Egypt in the region have diplomatic ties with
Israel. All this complicates the unstable situation in the Middle
East even further. If we take a look at the theoretical map of the
Great Middle East, it’ll be clear that one day the tiny point called
Israel will simply disappear from it. This would be a great reason
for another regional war, which, unlike Saakashvili’s Â"five-dayÂ"
war, may seriously reshape the regional map.
Meanwhile, Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee
Sarah Palin declares: "The USA must fight against Tehran’s nuclear
capability and allow Israel to strike Iranian nuclear stations. I
believe that nuclear weapons under the control of Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe."
According to media notifications, preparations for the attack on Iran
are getting into the concluding phase. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert summoned Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi
Livni for an urgent consultation on the Iranian problem. Meanwhile
the USS Â"Theodore RooseveltÂ" headed out to the Mediterranean Sea
"in support of marine security." Thus, the number of US aircraft
carriers reached 4 around Iran; they are located in the Mediterranean
and Arabian Sea, as well as in the Persian Gulf.
The bombing of Pakistan (Iran’s neighbouring state) by the US air
force, which began at the end of August, is part of the US campaign
on destabilization of the region and overthrow of the troubling
regime. Additional naval forces began drawing to the Persian Gulf
about a month ago. Sources report that besides the USS Â"Theodore
RooseveltÂ" many other ships are involved in the campaign, among
them US aircraft-carrier Â"Ronald ReaganÂ", US helicopter-carrier
Â"Iwo JimaÂ", Great Britain and France aircraft-carrier Â"Ark
RoyalÂ", several French naval ships, as well as atomic submarine
Â"AmetistÂ". Thus, the total number of naval blocks of NATO member
states around Iran exceeds 40, including a number of submarines with
nuclear weapons on board.
However, Armenian expert on Iran Tadevos Charchyan believes
that statements about U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran are
groundless. "Information about 40 naval blocks of NATO member states
around Iran, including submarines with nuclear weapons on board is
misinformation. Such statements are made to test the reaction of Iran
or to provoke it to tough anti-Israeli declarations. Neglecting the
show, Iran and its President Ahmadinejad can avoid pressure. What we
have now is simply specification of suppositions. But the USA will
not attack Iran, since it has Iraq stuck in its throat," the Armenian
expert noted.
As for the notorious Â"Caucasus platformÂ", Turkey has already
received affirmation from the EU. "The Presidency of the Council of the
European Union takes an opportunity to express its serious interest
in the Turkish initiative, the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation
Platform. It will be a significant contribution on the part of Turkey
to regional stability, security and development, which is taking on
a new dimension in the context of the conflict in Georgia," French
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs.
The position of Iran consists in the following: its nonparticipation
in the Turkish initiative makes it imperfect. "The idea of Turkey,
besides being too unexpected was also insincere, because for solving
regional problems it is necessary to stir up regional cooperation,
and it is impossible to overlook Iran in the process of ensuring
balance in the region," underlined Kamal Zareh, adding that the best
variant would be 3+3, i.e. the three republics of the South Caucasus
plus Russia, Iran and Turkey.
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