Switzerland makes watershed decision on Iran: Ex-Senator
Press TV has conducted an interview with Mike Gravel, former US senator from San Francisco, to get his take on Switzerland’s announcement of lifting sanctions against Iran.
The following is a rough transcription of the interview.
Press TV: How important is this even symbolically this move of the Swiss government?
Gravel: Extremely important. Switzerland is a very independent country disrespect to America’s influence and of course they have a banking system far superior to anybody access. And so, what this does is this will give banking relief to Iran, which is extremely important for its economic activity. So, I view this is a watershed decision by Switzerland and you’ll see quickly follow France, Germany and Italy who have already sent delegations to Tehran to investigate the possibility of investments.
Press TV: Now, it’s interesting, Senator Gravel, that just yesterday I believe it was the State Department’s spokesman warned the likes of Switzerland and other countries not to get too excited about this opening, the word that he used to Iran as far as business opportunity ect. goes. Do you think that the US will be on the wrong side of history again?
Gravel: Well, I don’t know, forget your question. Will the US be able to influence Switzerland? If that’s the question. Not at all. The Swiss have made a decision in this regard and they’re getting the jump on the rest of Europe, which is going to hold on. You can guarantee that regardless of what the Congress does in the United States.
Press TV: Indeed. And I want to ask you about what the Congress may do in the United States. Do you think they will take into account that now even allies of the US want to act independently when it comes to Iran?
Gravel: Well, I think it’s a big plus, because what it demonstrates to some of the senior members of the Congress is regardless of what the Congress does. All, they will do, has embarrassed the United States if they break away from the deal or they don’t approve the deal. This deal was approved by the Security Council, by the 5+1 members and it is going forward regardless of what the Congress does.
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