RECEH:           Thank you very much, Mr. Richardson.  We are honored to give the floor now to former prime minister of Ireland, Ambassador Bruton, John Bruton.  You have eight minutes.

Ambassador John BRUTON:   Madame Rajavi, friends, I’m old enough to remember 33 years ago the democratic rising of the people of Iran to overthrow the monarchical regime.  And I remember the high hopes that people had at that time as a succession of prime ministers who wanted to establish democracy took office, only for them to be torn down by the fundamentalist forces controlled by the mullahs.  Now it is time for this anniversary to be marked by a return to hope of a democratic transformation in Iran.  We must recognize, however, that we’re speaking here in the West, in Western Europe, and we must, if we are to win support for the cause that we support on this platform, address the concerns that people have in the West at the present time.  And aside from the perilous state of the world economy, the big worry that people have in the West at the moment is of the possibility of war in the Gulf and all that that would bring with it because of the threat posed to world peace by the nuclear weapons program of the Iranian regime.  That threat to world peace is of deep concern because once a war is started, no matter how good the cause for which it may be started, it is very difficult to bring it to an end.  And new causes take over and war gains its own momentum.

And there are many who say, unfortunately, and with regret, that there is no alternative to sanctions and threats of violence to deter the regime in Tehran from the foolish course that they are following at the present time.  But I believe, and I believe strongly, that there is a better way.  There is a better way than sanctions, a better way than military force or the threat thereof.  And that better way is support for the democratic transformation of Iran.  [applause] And that means, that means, my friends, support for Madame Rajavi and her organization.  [applause] Because unlike those, unlike those who took power in the wake of the change in regime 33 years ago, she is fully prepared for power.  She understands the needs of her people.  She has one of the most professional political organizations in the world, as we can see here in this assembly, prepared to take on the responsibility of restoring this great country this great country of Iran, this great civilization, to its proper place in the world.  How—what a huge waste it is that is currently occurring in Iran, when we have people with 80% of the people living in that country below the poverty line, as Madame Rajavi herself pointed out, 40% unemployment, resources being grossly wasted on a nuclear arms program when it is the people of Iran that need those resources to be devoted to their needs.  And for that to happen we need to have the democratic transformation that Madame Rajavi is seeking.  And that’s why I say the best way to support and show support for the Syrian people at this time is the support that MEK be taken off the terrorist list. [applause] The best way to guarantee  the peace in the world that we in this part of the world so desperately need, is to support the removal of the MEK from the terrorist list.  [applause]

And for these reasons, I’m very proud to share the platform with all the other speakers who have the same conviction as I have, a most distinguished platform which I think in itself speaks  for itself for the support in the world and across all political divisions that there is for the democratic transformation that Madame Rajavi is seeking, with the support, with the vital, heroic support of the people in Camp Ashraf today.  We are thinking of you on this historic day for Iran.  Do not fear, do not fear, I say directly to the people in Camp Ashraf, we are on your side, and we will not forget you.  [applause]

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