Broschüre: Afghanistan zwischen Abzug und Wahlen - NatWiss

Netzwerk No to War – No to NATO / Deutsch-Afghanisches-FriedensnetzwerkSS: Will India be taking any part in dismantling Syria’s chemical arsenal?SK: We have some experience because we dismantled in the past. We joined the conventionand we’re very glad that the Nuclear Weapons Convention is being now acceded to by Syria.I think there are already experts available and I’d imagine that an effort would be made tobring experts who come from the region and who would not be seen as partisan in one wayor the other. If we get an invite and we get an indication that India can be of help, we’llcertainly consider it seriously.SS: You’ve mentioned a couple of times that it’s a great thing that Russia actually made thisdeal with America not to strike and to dismantle the chemical weapons. There was this ideacirculating in the social media that now Putin should get the Nobel Peace Prize. What do yousay to that?SK: I think that any contribution that the top leaders of the world make towards peace andthis is a major step forward... well, having said that – I think that’s important – it’s the bestto get to a point where situations become irreversible, I mean just think of principle ofprudence, that we should get situations to become irreversible, so that you can actually seala decision of this nature and don’t need to half-way suddenly feel something gone wrong. Ithink, there has been a demand – I’ve read that in newspapers and I’ve seen this in socialmedia – well, I think this is a great achievement and if we arrive at a satisfactory solution inthe point of view of all the parties, who want to see peace in the world, this would be certainlya welcome suggestion and a welcome idea for the Nobel Peace Prize to consider.SS: Iran was another huge surprise at the recent, during the General Assembly, it seems likeAmerica and Iran are getting off and starting the relationships from scratch and maybethey’re ameliorating their sense towards each other. Do you think it’s Rouhani’s achievementonly, or America was waiting for this chance?SK: My impression is... as you know, India has a good relationship with Iran, but we’ve takena principal position on non-proliferation and we’ve always been consistent on nonproliferation.Therefore, we have to depart from what would otherwise have been important– a relationship or friendship with Iran with convergence on many issues. But we didsay to them clearly that as far the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] is concerned – there weresignatories and that was important that as a matter of principle they remained an adherentof NPT, and that whatever the Non-Proliferation Treaty allows them under the IAEA [theInternational Atomic Energy Agency] dispensation to continue with peaceful uses of nuclearenergy is something that they are entirely entitled to – but beyond that we had to agreewith the United Nations that proliferation is a very serious issue and we need to draw a line.But, I was convinced in all my interaction with Iran that Iran was not determined to makenuclear weapons, but it was important for them that their position and identity be seen andsense of dignity shown, and that proper conversation with Iran was possible, and I stillremain hopeful and I think that there was a sense that after the elections Iran would want togive this opportunity a real chance and I hope that it works. I think the United States hasmade an important gesture. There is a lot of cynicism in the United States about the possibilityof a successful conclusion, but the president has made an important gesture – equally, Ithink Iran has responded in a manner which is to be encouraged and to be welcomed. Let us74