Posted on 09/24/2005 5:50:23 AM PDT by Esther Ruth
Last update - 07:40 24/09/2005
Arab states seek to condemn Israel in UN over nuclear bombs
By Reuters
Arab member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency are pushing for it to condemn Israel as a threat to peace in the Middle East for having nuclear weapons.
Israel neither denies nor admits having a nuclear arsenal, though experts estimate it has between 100 and 200 atomic bombs.
In a letter submitted to the IAEA on behalf of its Arab member states, Oman asked that the agency's annual General Conference of the IAEA's 138 member states in Vienna next week consider a statement strongly criticizing Israel.
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretzdaily.com ...
"Israel's possession of nuclear weapons is likely to lead to a destructive nuclear arms race in the region, especially if Israel's nuclear installations remain outside any international control," a text attached to the letter said.
The Arab countries submit similar statements to the IAEA's general conference every year, but have failed to win backing since 1991.
The latest Arab drive to condemn Israel follows a row at the IAEA's 35-nation governing board over how to respond to a nuclear program in Iran, a sworn enemy of the Jewish state.
Western countries have called on the IAEA board to report Iran to the United Nations Security Council, which can impose economic sanctions, over suspicions it is seeking nuclear bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is only for generating electricity. The letter and text were submitted by Oman on behalf of 16 countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan. Iraq was not among the countries listed.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East believed to possess nuclear weapons and has not signed the global pact aimed at halting the spread of atomic arms, the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"Whereas all Arab states have acceded to the NPT, Israel continues to defy the international community by refusing to become a party to the treaty or to place its installations under the [IAEA's] comprehensive safeguards system, thus exposing the region to nuclear risks and threatening peace," the text added.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has called for Israel to scrap its atomic arsenal.
The Arab text listed 11 UN General Assembly resolutions alling on Israel to join the NPT. It named five IAEA General Conference resolutions demanding the same thing, but the most recent was passed in 1991.
"The policies of the present Israeli government have obstructed the peace process in the Middle East and all initiatives to free the region of the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction, and in particular of nuclear weapons, have failed," the text said.
Give up your land!!
Give up your weapons!!
Give up your LIVES!!!!!!
issue bears examination-why shouln't Israel be held accountable?
"Israel is the only country in the Middle East believed to possess nuclear weapons and has not signed the global pact aimed at halting the spread of atomic arms, the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."
Well there ya go!!
Israel should tell the U.N. and Arabs to 'pound sand'!
"issue bears examination-why shouln't Israel be held accountable?"
To who?
They are sovereign and haven't signed on to the NPT!
There is absolutely no reason they should hold themselves to be 'accountable'!
Arabs are not a threat to peace?
I am sure that they will.
If you have to ask , No explanation would suit you.
It's all so very, very simple. All Israel wants is to be left alone. Left alone, they are a threat to no one. If attacked, they will kick ass.
"experts estimate it has between 100 and 200 atomic bombs"
- Yep, and its the only reason why Isreal has lasted this long. Bolton should say that and then turn to the Arabs and tell them to go F themselves.
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