Non-aligned states want to see IAEA technical aid to Israel cut as Arab states complain of double standards.By Michael Adler – VIENNA
Iran branded Israel "a uniquely grave threat" to world peace because of its alleged nuclear weapons Thursday, after the UN atomic agency sharply cut aid to Tehran because of its own atomic programme.
"Nuclear weapons in the hands of the Israeli regime with ... a long and dark catalogue of crimes and atrocity such as occupation, aggression, militarism, state terrorism, crimes against humanity and apartheid pose a uniquely grave threat to regional and international peace and security," Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh told the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran and Arab states complain that it is unfair to scrutinize Tehran for allegedly developing nuclear weapons when Israel has them and is not under IAEA monitoring, as it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Israel has a policy of neither confirming nor denying that it has a nuclear arsenal but is believed to possess some 200 bombs or warheads.
Israeli ambassador Israel Mechaeli told the IAEA board that Israel had no reason to announce any changes in its nuclear policy, diplomats said.
The board was debating Israel's nuclear programme after the Arab League expressed "deep concern and great disquiet" to the IAEA following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in December that seemed to confirm that Israel has the bomb.
The letter to IAEA chief Mohammed ElBaradei, written by Oman on behalf of the Arab League, said "Arab States consider Israel's possession of military nuclear capabilities to be a clear violation of the will of the international community."
Soltanieh said lack of UN Security Council action against Israel's nuclear programme has "encouraged Israeli officials to make public statements in which they made threats to attack the safeguarded peaceful facilities of other countries," a clear reference to a possible Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear plants.
Egyptian ambassador to the IAEA Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy said the purpose of initiating debate at the atomic agency was "to put the whole thing on record, that a statement was made and to remind that this is a serious issue that will not go away."
Some non-aligned states want to see IAEA technical aid to Israel cut, much as aid to Iran is being slashed, diplomats said.
Israel is not subject to IAEA safeguards inspections.
Cuban ambassador Norma Estenoz, speaking for the Non-Aligned Movement, said NAM states on the board reiterated their "support for the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction."
Estenoz said the NAM "condemns Israel . . . for continuing to develop and stockpile nuclear arsenals."
She called on Israel "to accede to the NPT without delay, to place promptly all its nuclear facilities under (IAEA) full-scope safeguards . . . and to conduct its nuclear related activities in conformity with the non-proliferation regime."
I find it ironic that Iran, which has for years been violating the Non Proliferation Treaty (which it signed), and which recently has been threatening to destroy Israel, should be making accusations of this nature...
ReplyDeleteAS AN AMERICAN I WANT TO SAY I AM TOTALY ASHAMEND OF WHAT OUR PRESIDENT ALLOWED ISREAL TO DO TO YOUR CITIZENS A ONCE DIMOCRACY ALLBECAUSE ISREAL HAD TO JUMP THE GUN JUST LIKE OUR PRESIDENT AND NOT SIT DOWN IN A DIPLOMATIC SETTING FOR A HOSTAGE RELEASE AS THE BRITISH MIDDLE EASTERN
ReplyDeleteSTATES AND IRAN DID RECENTLY. NO ONE WAS KILLED AND NO NEW WAR WAS STARTED. JUST DIPLOMACY. WHEN IS ISREAL GOING TO LEARN. THEY ARE BEING REWARDED WITH NEWER AND BETTER WEAPONS FROM THE USA PLEASE DON'T BLAME US WE ARE TOO AFRAID TO
PROTEST LIKE WE USE TO DURING VIET NAM AND MARTIN LUTHER KING BRINGING
MILLIONS TO WASHINGTON DC THEY'D BE LABALED ENEMY COMBATANTS AND SENT OFF TO GUANTANAMO.
WE HAVE MADE IRAN THE EMPIRE THAT IS IS. WE GAVE IRAN THE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY WHEN DICK CHENY WAS IN CONGRESS AND SPONSERED THE BILL. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.WE HAVE LOST ALL CREIDBILITY. BECAUSE DIPLOMACY HASN'T BEEN USED PERIOD. UNFORTUNATLY
ReplyDeleteTHIS ADMINISTRATION IS AS INSANE AS THE IRANIAN ADMINISTRATION AND = AS
DANGEROUS THE DIFFERENCE- THE IRANIANS PRACTICE DIPLOMACY WITH THERE ENEMIES WE WON'T. OUR POLICY IS STRICTLY WAR. PERIOD. AS FAR AS THE NON PROLIFERATION TREATY GOES FIRST THEY HAD SADAM ON ONE SIDE OF THEM AND AFGHANISTAN ON THE OTHER. WE CAN'T ARGUE TREATIES ANY MORE BECAUSE WE BROKE THE GENEVA CONVETION ON PRISONERS AND TOTURE AND AFTER ACCOMPLISHING THE GOALS WE SET FORTH IN IRAQ WE DIDN'T LEAVE.