What the G-8 should be considering

By Aussiegirl

Ah -- a woman after my own heart. Today's
American Thinker has a great article by Italian activist and blogger, Stefania Lapenna on what the G-8 should be considering. Echoing many of my own thoughts recently, Stefania lays out some clear and cogent issues the bigwigs in Scotland would be wise to address instead of the globaloney being dished up at the Live 8 concert, as well-intentioned as that is. As we all know, the road to hell is paved with such intentions.

She also has some concrete suggestions for steps necessary to counter the impending threat from Iran, suggestions she expressly directs towards the U.S., which as I have stated below, seems to be ignoring this approach in Iran for some unknown reason.

On Tuesday, July 6, the leaders of the eight most powerful nations will meet in Scotland to take stock of the world and debate about what is still to be done on issues such as the fight against mass poverty and terrorism.

Simultaneously, hundreds of anti-globalization protesters will march against what they see to be the cause of all evils: global trade and capitalism. These people seem to ignore how world politics works and what is being discussed at the G8 summits.

The leaders of the richest nations - who have been elected through free and fair elections - will renew their commitment to fight terror and discuss debt relief toward the poorest countries.

. . .What some G8 leaders, as well as anti-globalization protesters, overlook is that debt relief directed to those undemocratic nations will end up enriching the local autocrats - who will buy weapons and will declare war on their own people and neighbors.

The ultimate victims will be the poor people the G8 leaders wish to help. Neither food and economic aid, nor worldwide Live 8 concerts have done anything truly important to defeat poverty.

. . . Europe seems to ignore the fact that in the last 25 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran is the main exporter of terror worldwide, and the major obstacle to the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

. . .The G8 leaders should say publicly what they intend to do with respect to Iran.

If they really want to defeat the threat posed by the Mullahs' deadly plans, they have to stand with the people of Iran. There is no need to invade the country and nobody seems to want do so. These are some of the things they (in particular the U.S.) might decide to do:

1) Impose new and strengthen existing economic and diplomatic sanctions against the regime;
2) Expel all of the regime's agents and lobbyists from the Western soil;
3) Approve pro-democracy resolutions, such as the Iran Freedom and Democracy Act; 4) Increase the funds directed to the non-violent, democratic and secular Iranian opposition groups, both inside and outside Iran;
5) Organize meetings with the Iranian dissidents, just as President Bush did when he met with dissidents from Venezuela, Burma and other countries;
6) Support the Iranian opposition's aspirations to an internationally-monitored genuine referendum, which would be held only after the fall of the regime and would establish true democracy, based on the total separation of religion and state;
7) Increase the funds directed to the US-based Iranian satellite TV and radio stations which promote these aspirations and goals;
8) Help prevent jamming of satellite programs by the Islamic regime - helped by friends and allies as Castro's Cuba;
9) Impose fines on all US and European companies doing or trying to do business in Iran;
10) Increase the pressure on the EU countries in order to further isolate the regime - diplomatically and economically. That includes closing all the regime's embassies and consulates abroad;
11) Announce that Regime Change (by the Iranian people, but with the West's moral and economic support ) is the official policy of the US and its allies.

. . .Democracy and the basic human rights, not simply food and debt relief, will make poverty and terror history.

Stefania Lapenna is an Italian activist and author of the weblog Free Thoughts