Sarkozy: Iran a source of concern for the region and the world

January 14, 2016
Abu Dhabi – The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research organized a lecture entitled “The World Today: A Conversation with Nicolas Sarkozy,” delivered on Wednesday by the former President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy.
He discussed the establishment of a French military base in Abu Dhabi, which he considers a great achievement; as it was the first French base established outside French borders since the end of World War II.
Sarkozy spoke about the challenges facing the Middle East. He said the region is experiencing crucial and profound transformations, with implications for everyone, and that the major challenge lies in maintaining the diversity of the Middle East. He added: “It is true that the desire to spread democracy everywhere is important, but I think that diversity is more important; as the East is strong with its diversity.”
He said that “the majority of Muslims live their faith in peace, versus a minority that distorts Islam.’” He added that people are suffering from the terrorism practiced by that extremist group.
Sarkozy also referred to Iran as a source of concern for the region and the world. He categorically rejected a nuclear-armed Iran. “A nuclear-armed Iran is simply unacceptable and undebatable; an Iranian nuclear weapon would prompt other regional countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, to acquire nuclear weapons capability. This will lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region. Just imagine what would be the region if this had happened.”
Sarkozy also said that the nuclear agreement reached with Iran left a lot of gray areas, and that its credibility will depend on the level of control, and the degree to which the Iranians adhere to the deal. He called on them to prove their good faith through the full implementation of the nuclear deal. Sarkozy also referred to the negative role of Iran in the region, particularly in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen.
In terms of the Syrian crisis, Sarkozy said that it is necessary to find a solution as soon as possible in order to provide relief to the traumatized populace. He referred to the Madaya tragedy as an example of the suffering of Syrians.
Much time has been wasted, he said. Sarkozy pointed out that as president, in the summer of 2012, he called for urgent international action, at a time when the moderate Syrian opposition parties were powerful and ISIS didn’t exist.
Sarkozy said Bashar al-Assad is an obstructive element, as he is responsible for an estimated 250,000 deaths in Syria, and cannot be allowed to build the future of Syria. The Syrian reconciliation can’t be achieved in the presence of a person who kills his own people, Sarkozy said, so he has to leave.
Sarkozy said that it is necessary to unite in the fight against terrorists and jihadists, who have declared war on both the Islamic community and the West. He pointed to the bloody attacks in Paris, saying: “We have to win the war against them; there is no room for trembling hands; everything is at stake. We must fight the war until the end.”
Sarkozy stressed that this war can’t be won without the participation of Muslims.
He praised the Saudi Arabian declaration of a military Islamic coalition of 34 countries, with the support of the United Arab Emirates. He addressed the need to translate this coalition into concrete action to eradicate ISIS and other Jihadists. Sarkozy said that ground troops should be deployed to face the extremists, but that the troops must come from Arab countries, with the support of the international community.
In conclusion, the former French president stressed the need to unify East and West against extremists, and to work together in order to achieve stability and find common ground, based on multiculturalism, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance among all sects and components.