Face the facts on Iran (From York Press)

Face the facts on Iran

11:55am Tuesday 15th May 2012 in Letters

WHEN we faced an escalating drive to send our troops into an illegal invasion of Iraq, thousands of ordinary folk, like me, protested on the streets for the first time in their lives.

Indeed, as Tony Blair settled deeper into his sofa government, so I and others were propelled from our sofas to make peaceful, resolute protest. Now countless thousands – civilians and soldiers – have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, billions of our pounds have been poured into this violence, and still we hear voices in the West and Israel crying out for war with Iran.

Why? Is Iran a threat? What’s the truth about the Iran nuclear controversy? Who can be trusted to tell us the facts?

Peter Jenkins, former British ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (2001-2006), is speaking at an open, free meeting on Iran – Time For Peace? this Thursday at 7.30pm at the Friends’ Meeting House, Friargate, York.

A diplomat for 33 years, Peter was at the heart of the process of creating resolutions on Iran with the IAEA. He says there is a diplomatic solution. He knows the facts. Before we settle back onto our sofas, we need to know them too.

Jayne Venables, Fylingdale Avenue, Clifton, York.