Washington DC – March 4, 2014 – Press Release – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the annual meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, DC, today, also targeting the policymaking community and Congress.
While the Prime Minister represents the viewpoint of the government of an important U.S. ally, he failed to provide practical solutions necessary to solve Iran’s nuclear challenge. Israel must recognize that the administration seeks a deal with Iran in order to increase, rather than decrease, that country’s security, as well as our own, and will not settle for anything less.
“Israel has valid concerns about Iran’s nuclear program; but the most recent International Atomic Energy Agency report, following the implementation of the first-step P5+1-Iran nuclear deal, shows that Iran is complying with the agreement by eliminating its twenty percent enriched uranium stockpile and allowing broad access to its facilities,” said Lt. General (USA ret.) Robert Gard, chairman of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
“It’s important to recognize that the U.S. is not the only player in discussions with Iran. Our partners in the P5+1 also play an important role,” said Laicie Heeley, Director of Middle East and Defense Policy at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. “The current sanctions regime imposed and enforced by the U.S. and its international partners has significantly impacted Iran’s economy and helped bring Iran to the negotiating table. These sanctions serve as important leverage in ongoing negotiations, but their enforcement requires the support of our partners who do not agree with the imposition of additional sanctions at this time.”
Further expert comments and booking arrangements can be made by contacting James Lewis. The Center will continue to produce up-to-date analysis on Iran’s nuclear program via its website (www.armscontrolcenter.org) and blog (www.nukesofhazardblog.com.)
####The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington-based non-profit think tank working to reduce the number of nuclear weapons stockpiled across the globe, increase international nonproliferation programs targeted at preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism, redirect U.S. military spending to address 21st century security threats and halt the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. www.armscontrolcenter.org
