Iran, Israel Clash at IAEA Conference

AP via SFGate ^ | 9/21/7 | GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Israel accused Iran of lying Friday while Tehran challenged the international community to send inspectors for a probe of its arch-rival's nuclear capabilities, in a rare and unusually bitter direct confrontation.

U.N. officials at a 148-nation meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency said they had no memory of the two hostile nations ever engaging each other directly at previous meetings and noted that development — and the unusually harsh tone of their statements — in part reflected Middle East tensions.

The exchange came after Iran's chief delegate Ail Asghar Soltanieh — like Arab delegates before him — said that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had acknowledged earlier this year that his country possessed nuclear weapons — something Israel says Olmert never did.

Soltanieh also criticized "the continuous silence of the U.S. ... vis a vis the atrocities, aggression, bloodshed and violations of over 30 resolutions of the United Nations."

That, he said, is "shameful and (a) dark point in the history of the United Nations, and the IAEA and the modern century at large."

In turn, Israeli delegate Israel Michaeli, alluding to claims that Olmert acknowledged Israel's nuclear weapons, said some previous speakers "continued to lie."

"Those who call for the elimination of Israel" have no right to criticize "Israeli policies aimed at defending Israel's very existence," Michaeli said.

[Shqipo]

That didn’t take long.

[DoughtyOne]

All the U.N. is good for, is giving wing nuts a platform so they can look as stately as any other delegate with a platform.

In the U.N.’s eyes, these two nations are equals.

The U.N. is blind to nations like Iran. It is also all too often blind to it’s own massive problems.

It’s time folks. Turn the lights out on this evil organization. All it does is further the desires of evil nations.

[nuconvert]

,

[catbertz]

“Lets get readyyyy to rummmmble”

[RC2]

If I were the representative of Israel, I would just stand there and smile at Iran. I wouldn’t say a word because it wouldn’t make any difference. If I did say anything it would be “I will protect Israel at all costs. You can take that to the bank.” Then I would turn and walk away. Why even talk to Iran? It does no good and everyone knows it.

[Army Air Corps]

I wonder what is the Hebrew equivalent of “Bese mi cullo, pendejo.” Whatever it is, I would not be able to stop myself from muttering the phrase whilst Amadinnerjacket babbles incoherently.