Posted on 08/25/2007 9:02:44 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
VIENNA, Austria - The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog criticized U.S. moves to assist in the supply of weapons to its allies in the Middle East, saying the money would be better spent on regional development projects.
In an interview with the Austrian newsweekly Profil, to be published Monday, Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, said a U.S. strategy to support a weapons buildup in countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt was not helpful for improving security in the Middle East.
"Pouring more money into arms is not going to resolve the issue," ElBaradei said. "You can end up in a situation like the Cold War in the past ... Does that provide security? Does that provide stability? It doesn't."
Audio excerpts of ElBaradei's comments, in English, were shared with The Associated Press before the interview is published in German Monday. The IAEA has not released a transcript on its Web site, but IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming confirmed ElBaradei's quotes late Saturday.
Earlier this month, the United States offered Israel an unprecedented $30 billion of military aid over 10 years. It is also proposing weapons packages to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to help them counter growing Iranian assertiveness.
The U.S. has expressed grave concern over Iran and Syria's backing of the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. In addition, the United States says Iran is backing Shiite insurgents in its war in Iraq and trying to develop nuclear weapons.
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It begs the question why this asshat is holding forth on items that have NOTHING to do with NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION. I hope to God that I live long enough to see the US defund this 5th column and the clowns that run it...
Those employed by the UN should just thank their lucky stars that we’ve not gotten serious, yet.
That’s odd, I thought we won the cold war by increasing our military strength and bankrupting the Soviet Union in the process.
The U.N. just can’t find anything right about the U.S.A. except to steal our money.
ElBaradei’ mouthing off may not be a bad thing, it sure id’s this enemy and his + UN’s chosen ally, that is IRAN/Syria/AQ....one day soon we must be done with this fool and the UN!
If Mrs. Clinton becomes president she will have us all under the control of the socialist U.N.
Will also have the U.N. help take away our arms.
When he gets Iran to stop its effort to build nukes, then maybe I’ll start listening to him.
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