Paris, June 23 2012 - Thank you.  Thank you very much.  It is an honor for me to join you in your demand for democratic change in Iran.  For ten years I have been involved in efforts to stop the mullahs' quest for nuclear weapons.  And I will be very brief in highlighting three conclusions.  The first is that the regime will not stop its pursuit of nuclear weapons until either it succeeds or it is removed from power.  For the sake [applause] of the future of Iran, for the future of the region, and for the future of the world, we must act to ensure that the regime fails in this quest.  [applause] As others have said, the mullahs have played the negotiations as game, and they have won because they have bought more time for the nuclear program.  And sanctions, while they are now having a significant effect in terms of the disruption of the economy, they have not yet translated into any real impact on the nuclear program.  More and even tougher sanctions are necessary. 

But what stands out is the enormous value that the regime places on its nuclear program.  It sees nuclear weapons as a means to ensure its own survival.  These weapons will give the mullahs confidence that they can pursue their aggressive agenda in the region and beyond.  But perhaps even more important, nuclear weapons in the eyes of Iran's leaders protect against outside intervention in the war that they are conducting against their own people.  As with all authoritarian governments, the people are the main threat.  These regimes lack legitimacy. They are despised by their own people.  They must control their people only by force.  And this takes me to my second conclusions.  It is you, the people of Iran, who must overthrow this regime.  [applause]

Third, let me very brief and say we know who the real terrorists are.  The mullahs have a 33 year track record of assassinations, of murders, of taking hostages, and one adds to this Tehran's ongoing support to Assad's killing machine in Syria, and you have a clear picture.  We must instead of appeasement and accommodation protect the lives of those in Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty who remain in constant danger.  We need to delist the MEK, not only because it is the legally appropriate thing to do, it is also smart policy.  The mullahs have branded the resistance movements here today as public enemy number one.  And the reason is clear, the people here today ultimately will play a vital role in achieving freedom and democracy in Iran, and freedom and democracy are the greatest fears and the greatest threat to the mullahs. To Mrs. Rajavi and to the tens of thousands of people here today, as well as literally the millions who are here with us in spirit, Godspeed in your noble cause.  Thank you very much.

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