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German Official: ‘Iran’s Nuclear Program Threatens Regional, World Stability’ | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp. Getty Images


Riyadh – President of the German Federal Academy for Security Policy Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp confirmed that Iran’s attempts to possess nuclear weapons pose a huge threat on regional and world stability.

Kamp said that reports issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed that Iran’s nuclear program poses real threat and called on Tehran to realize that dealing with it under Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has a time limit.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Kamp expressed his concern regarding the Syrian crisis, saying that the situation in Syria is worse than that in Yemen.

He pointed out that violence in Syria will last for many years ahead as long as Head of Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad seeks to control the whole country and individual groups continue to receive support from other countries.

In Yemen, the legitimate government asked for support and the U.N. Security Council’s resolution demands returning it to power, stated Kamp.

He noted that the Saudi military support for the Yemeni government is justified as it is making sure collateral damages harmed-civilians are as least as possible in light of the tough situation in the country.

He explained that Houthis have been hiding their arsenals in populated areas, especially in hospitals or nurseries in order to blame the strikers.

On the other hand, when Kamp was asked about the stance of German Secretary of Defense Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, who warned the United States from speaking in any negative tone with the EU in order not to affect the NATO, Kamp replied by saying that she does not have the authority to warn the U.S. and she is not willing to.

He said that the United States is a new friend and partner for Germany and is the most prominent member in the NATO.

He also said that the U.S. enjoys close relations with the European Union, noting that Europeans expect strong commitments from the U.S. side.

According to the European point of view, there are three challenges that Europe is concerned about.

Russia’s aggression in Europe and the illegal annexation of Crimea, the chaos in the Middle East – especially in Syria – Iraq and Libya, and the future path of the new administration in the United States – led by Donald Trump are the major challenges Kamp highlighted in the interview.

Regarding the demands by Britons to receive the German nationality after Brexit, Kamp said that even after Brexit, Britain will remain a major European country and a strong partner in the NATO, yet negotiating this step will take so long and will consume so much energy from British politicians who could use this energy in facing common challenges.

Moreover, Kamp told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia is one of the most important partners in the war against terrorism, and he said that Germany benefits from the Kingdom’s experience in combatting terrorism and praised the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism.