No More US, British Invasion of Sovereign States: Theresa May
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Britain and the US will never again invade sovereign foreign countries “in an attempt to make the world in their own image,” British Prime Minister Theresa May told Republican policymakers in Philadelphia.
The Prime Minister vowed never to repeat the “failed policies of the past” in reference to Western military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, breaking from the “liberal intervention” principle established by Tony Blair.
Referencing the “special relationship” between Britain and the US, May also stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries to meet their “obligations of leadership” and “stand up for our interests".
“It is in our interests – those of Britain and America together – to stand strong together to defend our values, our interests and the very ideas in which we believe,” she said.
"This cannot mean a return to the failed policies of the past. The days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are over,” The Independent quoted her as saying.
She also pledged support to new US President Trump in the continued fight against the “new enemies of the west and our values”.
May further said it was a “priority” to push back on “Iran’s aggressive efforts” to increase its "arc of influence from Tehran through to the Mediterranean". However, she defended the nuclear deal brokered by Barack Obama despite threats from Trump that he would rip up the agreement, saying it had been successful in neutralizing a potential threat.
The speech, delivered on May’s first leg of her US visit, will be followed by a face-to-face meeting with Trump on Friday in Washington, part of a determined push by the Prime Minister to seek US commitment to a trade deal when Britain leaves the EU.
