Peace
in the Middle East
24 July 2006 - Istanbul, Turkey
— Greenpeace is gravely concerned and shares horror
at the escalating violence and conflict in Lebanon,
Israel and Gaza.
Greenpeace is opposed to war and violence in every
part of the world. The path to peace is never
a violent one, and the recent escalation of the
conflict in the region is deeply saddening. Only
peaceful cooperation and dialogue between different
peoples and nations offer the chance of lasting
peace in this region.
Greenpeace believes that the
best contribution to the current situation is
to continue with campaigns in this region on oceans,
energy & disarmament. While nuclear weapons
are not a cause of this conflict, they are one
key obstacle to attaining peace in the region.
As such our campaign for a peaceful energy revolution
and a nuclear free middle east are the most positive
and productive steps that can be taken towards
greater security and stability in the region and
cooperation between states.
Turkey, with 90 nuclear weapons
stationed in Incirlik bordering the Middle East,
can be considered a nuclear state, of strategic
importance in the region. The Turkish government
should provide leadership in both Europe/NATO
and in the Middle East by getting rid of these
weapons and support the call for a nuclear-free
middle east.
