"The production or potential production of nuclearweapons has the ability to destabilise the region, with profound global impact.My hon. Friend says that the threat of military action is counter-productive. Iam sorry to say this, but I simply do not agree. I believe that if we take thisoption off the table, theIranians will gofull throttle, as my right hon. and learned Friend SirMalcolm Rifkind pointed out, in a speech of lucidity that I can only envy.It ill behoves anyone to quote Chairman Mao in support oftheir argument, but it was he who said that peace comes from the end of thebarrel of a gun. That is particularly pertinent here, and we must keep theoption on the table."
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| Extract from Register of Members' Financial Interest |
"When one considers Iraq and Afghanistan, has peace come from the end of thebarrel of a gun in these countries? Mr Ottaway seems to have a selective recollection of history.
I am concerned he may have been influenced by his recent trip to Israel at the back end of last year, funded by Conservative Friends of Israel. We all know that Israel has most to fear from Iran having a nuclear weapon.
I would like to hear Mr Ottaway speak about the benefits of nuclear arms reduction.
Mr Ottoway has an excellent record of speaking up for those who give him donations. I am thinking of Japan Tobacco International as well as Conservative Friends of Israel here.
"I am reminded of comedian Mark Thomas' Peoples Manifesto which contains the policy, 'Politicians should have to wear tabards displaying the names and logos of companies they have a financial relationship, like a racing car driver."
Controversial anti-counterfeiting agreement must be dropped, Green MEP
demands*
Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has reacted with dismay at the
signing of a controversial agreement by the EU and 22 of its Member
States which could potentially impinge the freedom of electronic
communication and innovation worldwide.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement was created with the aim of
establishing international standards on intellectual property rights
enforcement, yet will deal with tools targeting internet distribution
and information technology, meaning people could be prosecuted for
merely sharing a link to a newspaper article or posting a video on YouTube.
The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament have criticised the
decision to proceed with the signing, highlighting persistent concerns
about the legality of the deal and its compatibility with EU provisions
on fundamental rights [1]. The agreement will now be handed down for
ratification by Member States and the European Parliament.
Commenting on the agreement, Jean, a member of the European Parliament
Civil Liberties Committee, said: “The Greens in the European Parliament
remain absolutely committed to ensuring that this so-called ‘agreement’
is not adopted at the expense of the rights of citizens – ACTA is a
threat to our civil liberties and must be rejected. As the European
Parliament and national parliaments now have their say as part of the
ratification process, the Greens will push to ensure that ACTA is
consigned to history.”
Notes to Editor
1. Critics have raised serious doubts about the compatibility of ACTA
with EU law, particularly provisions on fundamental rights. For
example, ACTA encourages its signatory states to step up
co-operation with private actors, such as internet providers, for
intellectual property enforcement in the absence of any minimum
standards for legal procedures. This opens the door to
undermining the basic rights of individuals with no protection for
those affected. Experts have also pointed out that ACTA could
undermine access to medicines, particularly in developing
countries, which are more independent on generics but were not
even part of the negotiations.
--
Anna Rutter
Media and PR Officer to Jean Lambert, Green MEP
Can Mezzanine
49-51 East Road
London
N1 6AH
Office: 020 7250 8417
Mobile: 07917 881648
