Iran, other NAM states cannot be isolated: Ghana FM

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Ghana’s Foreign Minister Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni has urged the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members to use their collective power to improve bilateral relations.Mumuni went on to say that even though the NAM member states might stand in danger of being marginalized, “when they come together they are able to have collective power.”More than 100 countries are partaking in the NAM meeting which kicked off at the expert level in Tehran on Sunday.Interview with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni to further discuss the issue. The following is a rough transcription of the interview.Q: Could you please tell us about the possibility of success of the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, how hopeful you are and what will be the main points to be discussed during the summit?Mumuni: Clearly, the 16th NAM summit is a very crucial one especially in the present world economic dynamics. It is important that small countries, developing countries such as the members of the Non-Aligned Movement come together, build solidarity to strengthen their voices, to raise their own profile, because one by one as they stand, they are in danger of being marginalized, they are in danger of suffering political points.When they come together, they are able to have collective power, they can build relations, improve their bilateral relations. They are in a position, also, to work together, to be able to fashion adequate responses to challenges that commonly face them in the world order. It is a very crucial meeting.Already it’s showing signs that it’s going to be a massive success.Then going forward, it will provide the means for these countries to defend their independence, their sovereignty, and also have a heightened voice in world affairs and be able to participate in shaping the world as it is.Q: Iran has been under sanctions for many years now. Before the summit and before the opening of the foreign ministerial meeting, certain powers tried to propagate that Iran is isolated and that no country should attend the summit. Now we see different things here. What’s your take on this, sir?Mumuni: Absolutely. The NAM is ensuring that the individual countries including Iran cannot be isolated because of the force of their collective power -- 120 countries coming together, that’s more than half of the world.Clearly, today the spotlight in the world is on Iran. Therefore, any attempt or any perception that Iran can be isolated has been proven wrong.Q: How about the economic issues? Do you think the Non-Aligned Movement member states can form an economic alliance to counter all these propaganda which are going on and also the resources which are being looted by certain powers? Can you prevent that as well?Mumuni: Absolutely. The “cooperation”, as we know, is a reality. The NAM summit is going to reinforce the “cooperation”, bring all of these countries together, to think together, in a similar political direction and guidance.Therefore, through closer bilateral relations they will be able to cooperate in the area of economic development.Q: In the document drafted by the senior experts, we had some points about making the world free from nuclear weapons and also urging states which have not yet signed the NPT, including Israel. What’s your take on that? Some certain powers are trying to adopt a double standard policy with this regard.Mumuni: Yes, of course. The world is safer without the bomb. Therefore, every effort should be made to limit the development of the bomb because clearly everybody gets endangered when there is an unchecked arms race in the world.Clearly, there’s also a need for a strong regulatory force. In respect of those who have already developed a bomb, they must be made to sign those treaties, they must be held to the treaty obligations to ensure that the issue of the bomb doesn’t get out of hand and endanger world peace. /129