Emails & Letters

The view from Geneva

There are few world leaders that are not expressing concern over the possibility of an Iran on the march but The Middle East editor, Pat Lancaster, seems surprisingly cool at the prospect. I wonder if Ms Lancaster knows something none of the rest of us do?

I lived and worked in the Gulf region for many years before relocating to Europe and can only say that developments in the Islamic Republic have been striking fear into the hearts of their near neighbours for more than three decades in one way or another. Former colleagues and friends still employed within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries tell me categorically that feelings have never run higher than they do at present. Does Ms Lancaster believe these states should simply roll over and submit themselves to rule from Tehran?

A.K. Penrose Geneva, Switzerland

Pat Lancaster replies: I am not a supporter of the ruling regime in Iran, nor have I ever been. I think the country’s human rights record is appalling and I have never been afraid to speak out against the terror and torture perpetrated by the regime. I am, however, against the recent gung ho behaviour of certain states who appear to be willing to bypass negotiations and get stuck straight into conflict. In recent years we have seen all too well the effects of war across the globe. In the case of Iraq, we must live with the fact that there was no good reason for the murder and mayhem – there were no weapons of mass destruction. I urge only caution. Any attack on Iran would have an immediate impact on the countries of the GCC region, which is possibly why they continue to work with quiet, diligent diplomacy. It is those beyond the periphery of the threat who are making the most noise.

We invite readers to contribute to the ongoing debate on Syria via our Facebook page and/or Twitter accounts.

united kingdom TME Media 21 Limited

46 Cleveland Road London, E18 2AL tel +44 20 8989 9551 email tmemedia21@gmail.com founder Afif Ben Yedder editor-in-chief

Pat Lancaster patriciaelancaster@yahoo.co.uk deputy editor

Rhona Wells rhonawells@yahoo.co.uk editorial assistant

Carole Lambert senior editorial researcher

Erika Atzori art director Jason Venkatasamy associate designer

Karishma Mehta contributors Regional: Adel Darwish

Moin A. Siddiqi Pamela Ann Smith Stephen Williams

Alexa Dalby Eamonn Gearon Richard Seymour Beirut: Ed Blanche UAE: Mustapha Karkouti

USA: Milan Vesely Cairo: Maria Golia Chris Kutschera international advertising sales

Samia Pacini tmemedia21@gmail.com mena advertising sales

Brett Pearson Arabian Sales Network Office 906, Two Towers, Tecom

Dubai, UAE

email brett.pearson@arabiansalesnetwork.com tel +971 (0) 55 822 48 29

distribution William Pearson subscriptions Alliance Media, po box 2068,

Bushey, Herts, wd23 3zf tel (+44) 20 8950 9117, fax (+44) 20 8421 8155 email themiddleeast@alliance-media.co.uk

See subscription offer details on page 17.

issn 0305-0734

printers Headley Brothers Ltd Unless indicated, all images afp No de commission paritaire 0310 T 89344

Dépôt légal Mars 2012 © 2012 TME Media 21 Ltd

Member of The Audit Bureau of Circulations

4  The Middle East March 2012