A Culture Of Peace

That would, of course, describe the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country that devotes itself to internal peaceful relations among its citizens and its religious elites, and among its neighbours and within the world at large. Iran does this by arresting, imprisoning, torturing, raping and murdering its political dissenters. It expands this complimentary action toward gays, members of other religions, and those whose actions irritate the ruling theocracy.

As a peace-loving nation it frees up scarce funding for needed interior infrastructure and reform to arm and fund extra-territorial militias subordinate to their instructions and anxious to help Iran spread good cheer and companionship and love of humankind through the region. Syria is a willing abettor of Hezbollah and Hamas, through its political impositions upon Lebanon which it once again plans to absorb; all satellites of Iran's ambitions.

Peace-loving Iran assures its Arab Muslim neighbours that their best interests are at the heart of everything Iran plans for their futures, with its own commanding presence ensuring their security. The big stick it shakes is the certainty of nuclear arms, bright on the peaceful horizon. A situation that alarms the world of the West with whom Iran is not particularly comfortable, considering the repugnance of their religious liberalism and other failings.

Suddenly, Israel's quiet nuclear arsenal becomes the cudgel that strikes a chord with its neighbours for though despising Iran, Egypt seems to feel that if Israel surrenders its nuclear deterrence capability, Iran will no longer be interested in building its own. Which, in any event, according to Brazil and Turkey and Spain does not exist other than a feverish figment of U.S.-Israel imagination.

To relieve the tension a stratagem was devised between Iran, Brazil and Turkey that took the United Nations and everyone else threatening sanctions against Iran rather off guard. An issue that was discussed at the UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Rio de Janeiro. As host, Brazil's president opened the forum themed "peace through the interconnection of cultures", by speaking of the avoidance of violence.

Iran's intentions are clearly peaceful in nature; whereas those of the United States threaten a state of violence. "The theses on a suspected fracture of civilizations in the world, that would lead inexorably to conflict. These theories are criminal when used as a pretext for military actions so-called preventive", stated Lula. To which one can only respond, WHAT?! But Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan clearly knows what's up, since he emphatically agrees.

According to Islamist Recep Tayyip Erdogan, formerly friend of the West and of Israel, Iran is beyond reproach and the West is hypocritical in its behaviour and demands of Iran. "When we hear those who speak of preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, we realize that they themselves possess nuclear weapons", waxed Erdogan indignantly.

And foreign affairs ministers from Brazil, Spain and Turkey defended the 'diplomatic resolution' to the Iran nuclear position.

Spain's foreign minister, Morantinos was clear on the subject: "I think diplomacy is the only way to solve this important issue ... we're trying to build a new global order,and for that we cannot create a nuclear disorder", said he. Spain too, it appears, exists on Cloud Cuckooland.
Brazil's minister claims a "culture of peace", contrasted with a "culture of conflict".

"Brazil believes in an understanding that makes the guns silent ... the world needs a peaceful Middle East, and obviously Brazil is not out of this need. We defend a country free of nuclear weapons. We believe that nuclear power should be an instrument for promoting development, not a threat", Lula enthused. Shades of Hugo Chavez and Dear Leader Kim Jung-il.

Therefore, a resolution by the Non-Proliferation Treaty's nations, supported in the end by the United States. A resolution that mentions Israel solely, with no mention of Iran, calling on the State of Israel to surrender its nuclear arsenal in the interests of a world free of nuclear weapons. From Toronto, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting, a statement was issued.

"This resolution is deeply flawed and hypocritical. It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the region." Yes, doesn't it? But that will not deter the advance of a regional conference in 2012 to forward the goal of a nuclear-free Middle East. That two-hear hiatus should give Iran more than ample time to get its nuclear ducks all lined in a row and ready to blast.