Friday, April 25th 2014

Austrian FM Kurz Rewards the Iranian Regime With Propaganda Success

STOP THE BOMB Criticizes Minister’s Iran Trip

The coalition STOP THE BOMB voices strong criticism against the trip of Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz to Iran which is set to start tomorrow. Said Stefan Schaden, spokesperson for STOP THE BOMB in Austria: "Whether Kurz wants it or not: Such a trip legitimizes the regime and makes it possible for the regime to celebrate yet another propaganda success. There must not be normal diplomatic relations with a regime whose leader denies the Holocaust and threatens Israel with annihilation. Nice rhetoric won’t stop the regime from continuing its nuclear weapons program, from brutally oppressing dissidents, discriminating against women and killing homosexuals."

Said Stephan Grigat, Scientific Director of STOP THE BOMB: "Like in the past such trips serve to promote Austrian business with the antisemitic Iranian regime. Kurz wants to pave the way for companies like OMV or Voestalpine and their future business deals. Such deals would help the ayatollahs to remain in power."