FORMER ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER URGES WEST TO BACK IRANIAN OPPOSITION

A leading Italian diplomat has urged the West to back the forces of tolerant Islam  led by the Iranian resistance movement, rather than an Iran using terrorism, anti-semitism and lies to further its expansionist ambitions.

In the latest of a series of online question-and-answer sessions hosted by the website http://www.ncr-iran.org , Ambassador Giulio Terzi, a former Italian foreign minister, said it would be a “huge mistake” to align with the Iranian regime to fight Islamic State, and claimed there were “points of contact” between the current leadership in Tehran and that of Nazi Germany.

Mr Terzi called on politicians, officials and members of the public to attend an upcoming grand gathering in Paris on June 13, hosted bby the Iranian opposition groups and associations, which will demand regime change and democracy in the hardline state.

He said: “It would be a huge strategic mistake to think of colluding or aligning with the Iranian regime in fighting against Islamic State. We cannot align with one extremist organisation to fight against another.

“It’s absolutely necessary to focus on all those who foment Islamic extremism.

“Moderate Muslim forces like the Iranian resistance (NCRI) led by Mrs Rajavi advocate a tolerant, anti-fundamentalist Islam. The West should decisively support forces of moderation in the Islamic world like the Iranian resistance.”

Mr Terzi said the demonstration in the French capital would raise awareness around the world of the need for regime change in Tehran.

“I hope that there will be many politicians and officials there because of the urgency there is to signify to the international community, our American friends and all countries in the Middle East that pluralism must be the start of any political solution and stabilisation in the Middle East crisis.

“I am convinced that the June 13 gathering is going to be a great event which will raise awareness of these values and recognise how much the Iranian resistance is at the forefront.”

Mr Terzi went on to stress the time was now right for Iranian opposition activists to push for democracy.

He added: “There is no doubt that Iranian society is very rich and vibrant academically and there is a possibility of really opening up, but unfortunately the key for opening the door is not there.”

The former Italian foreign minister said he remained sceptical about Iran’s apparent acceptance of international inspections of its military sites under its management, given “12 years of lies and cheating” by “a number of internal auditors within the Iranian camp”.  

Access by the United Nations nuclear agency to some of Iran’s military sites has been a sticking point in the P5+1 negotiations over its nuclear programme.

Mr Terzi was answering questions from journalists during an online question and answer session entitled ‘Crisis in the Middle East and Iran’s Destructive Role, Europe’s policy and, P5+1 nuclear agreement with Iran.’

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc28QbWsefs