Posted on 04/03/2005 9:48:32 AM PDT by Nachum
In a move that could curtail Israeli power in the Middle East, the US is calling on Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and forego the use and stockpile of nuclear weapons.
Twice in the past two weeks, State Department officials have compared Israel’s status as a nuclear power with that of India and Pakistan, calling on all three nations to give up their nuclear arms.
The statements were made by two mid-level State Department Officials, ahead of the NPT Review Conference, scheduled to open in New York on May 2.
The purpose of the conference is to evaluate implementation of the NPT and determine its future course. The officials’ comments regarding Israel’s weapons capability were made, apparently, in order to put the issue of Israel’s nukes on the conference’s agenda. The comments appeared to deviate from Bush Administration policy, which up to now, refrained from using terminology that confirms Israel’s status as a nuclear nation.
The most recent statement came from Jackie Wolcott Sanders, the president’s representative for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. In an essay titled “How to Strengthen the NPT” Sanders mentions Israel, along with India and Pakistan, within the context of enforcing “universal NPT adherence,” but adds that it’s not likely “in the foreseeable future.”
“The Review Conference should reinforce the goal of universal NPT adherence and reaffirm that India, Israel and Pakistan may join the NPT only as non-nuclear-weapon states. Just as South Africa and Ukraine did in the early 1990s, these states would have to forswear nuclear weapons and accept IAEA safeguards on all nuclear activities to join the treaty. At the same time, we recognize that progress toward universal adherence is not likely in the foreseeable future,” writes Sanders.
She adds, “The United States continues to support the goals of the Middle East resolution adopted at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, including the achievement of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.”
Another statement, using similar language, was made by Mark Fitzpatrick, acting deputy assistant secretary for nuclear proliferation, on March 17, at a Meeting of the Organization of American States Committee on Hemispheric Security, in Washington, D.C. He also held the status of Israel’s nuclear armaments on a par with those of Pakistan and India:
“The Conference should also reinforce the goal of universal NPT adherence and reaffirm that India, Israel and Pakistan may join the NPT only as non-nuclear-weapon states. Just as South Africa and Ukraine did in the early 1990s, these states should forswear nuclear weapons and accept IAEA safeguards on all nuclear activities.”
Fitzpatrick’s comments regarding Israel were made just after proclaiming, “Iran and North Korea must not be permitted to violate the NPT without consequences.”
The statements of the two officials contrast with President Bush’s own reference to the NPT in a speech he made on March 7 when he called for enforcing the treaty’s provisions on NPT members, which conveniently include both Iran and North Korea. Bush did not refer to his policy regarding non-member states, which include Israel, Pakistan, and India.
The U.S. State Department has often taken pro-Arab positions on the Arab-Israeli dispute over the years, and has been wary of projecting Israeli power in the Middle East.
Sometimes the department’s positions ostensibly contradict those of the president. For example, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice recently declared in two separate newspaper interviews that President Bush did not make any guarantees to Israel regarding Israel’s right to retain certain settlement blocs as part of a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians. The president purported to make such promises to Israel in a letter he wrote to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last spring, but the interpretation of Bush’s statements have been the subject of much controversy, some of it spurred on by State Department officials.
I never realized there was a nation called Israel until "Palestine" was partitioned in 1947....that's when the area was partitioned into two states, one for the Arabs and one for the Jews. Its just that the Israelis want all of the land and keep expanding their borders without any thought of compensation to their Arab "brothers".
It wasn't just Pollard...it was the whole Israeli spy machine which to this day is trying to get him released from prison.
I guess you never read the Bible, even as a historical document. I think most historians believe there was a nation(kindgoms back then) called Israel as far back as the 7th century BC. A fella named King David was one of their greatest rulers. Read the Bible sometimes, it's an interesting book and will give you some perspective on Jews and Israel.
"Israel's constitution and its people welcome all and yearn for peace among all peoples."
Anyone who reads Israel's constitution side by side with the Palestinian Arab Charter sees at a glance that Israel is inclusive, and is in actuality, as well, and that Palestinian Authority are racists, hate-filled, and murderous.
Israel's Arabs are full citizens with full rights and benefits. Israel's Knesset is over 10% Arab, elected democratically, including those who work for the destruction of Israel, yet Israel democracy allows this. No other nation on the planet goes so far as Israel is allowing free speech, many would say too far.
Arabs,in the areas they are in charge of, however, can't abide a Jew in their midst. They lynch them, kill their babies, send their children to blow themselves up to kill Jews.
Jews ingrained value of hospitality and welcoming the stranger, regardless of his background, is part of Israeli society. People of all backgrounds and religions can become Israeli citizens.
In stark contrast, the Palestinian Arabs slay any Jew who sets foot in any Jewish city the Palestinian Arabs are occupying.
ITs da JOOOOOOOOOOs right?
Watch out when you go to the denist make sure there are not Israeli spies their they might put a brain control chip in your mouth!
denist=dentist
I believe you also misspelled "Jews"....and you probably believe Pollard is innocent and should be released. I'm a patriotic American who believes that those who spy on my country should be executed.
Pollard is a traitor and deserves to be where he is!
You on the other hand simply have some crazy beliefs that their is some Jewish Conspiracy to control our government. Do Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Chertoff and Ari Fliesher bother you?
Pollard is a traitor and deserves to be where he is!
You on the other hand simply have some crazy beliefs that their is some Jewish Conspiracy to control our government. Do Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Chertoff and Ari Fliesher bother you?
If you go back and read the thread it is quite apparent that you are the only one who mentions anything about a "Jewish Conspiracy". Maybe you are a little paranoid. By the way, my dentist is Greek Orthodox so I don't worry much about what he is doing to my teeth...
You talked about Jewish Spies running Washington and our leaders. That is paranoia right there!
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