Press release - 24 September, 2005
The resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors today enabling Iran to be referred to the UN Security Council is a sad day indeed for international diplomacy and the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime.
Greenpeace International Nuclear Analyst attending the meeting,
William Peden said, 'There are no winners from today's vote. There
are only losers; the prime one being the nuclear non-proliferation
and disarmament regime, and peace through diplomacy.'Peden went on
to say, 'With such a high number of abstentions-12 in total-and one
vote against, it is clear that the international community is
deeply divided over this issue. Sadly cooler heads did not prevail;
a lot of personal political baggage was brought to bear; facts and
encouraging trends towards a diplomatic solution to this crisis
through inspections and negotiations have now been cast in
doubt.'Greenpeace has always advocated that the only clear solution
to this crisis and to ease tensions in the region would be the
negotiation of a Nuclear Free Zone in the Middle East.
Other contacts: William Peden, Greenpeace International, currently in Vienna, +316 535 047 31
Notes: Notes to Editors:The vote break down is as follows:FOR: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Equador, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, UK, USAAGAINST: VenezuelaABSTAIN: Yeman, Algeria, Brazil, China, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia,South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Viet Nam