Peace Action West Statement: Peace Talks Breakthrough
April 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jon Rainwater, jrainwater@peaceactionwest.org,
The announcement today in Lausanne, Switzerland indicates that negotiators have reached a framework for a peace deal between the P5+1 countries and Iran. Peace Action West released the following statement from Executive Director, Jon Rainwater.
“This diplomatic breakthrough is a bold, if incomplete, step forward for global peace and security. The outlines of a final agreement are coming into focus. This agreement would block all the major paths towards an Iranian bomb and thus reduce a major source of international tension.
Americans who want to avoid another war in the Middle East should all cheer this progress towards the diplomatic finish line.
In a world where violence and conflict seem to be growing by the day, a final nuclear deal would be a bright spot. These negotiations provide evidence that creative and tough-minded diplomacy can effectively prevent major conflicts. Of course, there is still more work to be done.
If Congress grabs the steering wheel while the U.S. and the five other major powers are so close to the destination, they will be indulging in unilateralism on steroids.
If Congress passes new sanctions, or passes bills to create a Congressional veto over the deal, the talks could collapse. Congress – and therefore the U.S. – would own the blame.
Recent comments by Senator John McCain and former UN Ambassador John Bolton among others, indicate that the Plan B for critics of these talks is war. Congress has a choice to make: diplomacy or war.
Polls show that the vast majority of Americans want an agreement, not war. Congress must hold its fire and give this budding growth towards peace a chance to bear fruit. “
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About Peace Action West:
Peace Action West advocates for a foreign policy that embodies the best values of the American people. As an affiliate of Peace Action with more than 50,000 supporters, we foster broad-based civic activism to create a strong voice for peaceful and pragmatic solutions to global problems. Our activities serve as a bridge between the public and the officials who make decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.
Visit us at: blog.peaceactionwest.org
