[Pan_Yans Wife]

washingtonpost.com
Saudi Arabia Says It Does Not Want an Atomic Bomb

Reuters
Thursday, September 18, 2003; 11:45 AM

LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said Thursday it had no intention of developing a nuclear weapon.

Citing a "strategy paper" of unclear origin, London's Guardian newspaper reported Thursday that oil-rich Saudi Arabia was mulling the option of acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not considering acquiring a nuclear bomb or nuclear weapons of any kind," the embassy in London said in a statement. "There is no atomic energy program in any part of the kingdom and neither is one being considered."

A diplomat familiar with the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told Reuters in Vienna the IAEA had no information that would back up the Guardian article.

Diplomats there also said it would be highly unusual for a country to permit any such plans to be leaked to a newspaper.

Separately, the IAEA said Thursday it had no information to indicate Syria was violating its nuclear non-proliferation obligations, as U.S. officials have suggested.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A29442-2003Sep18?language=printer

[AdmSmith]

source: RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 7, No. 178, Part III, 18 September 2003:

IRANIAN OFFICIAL PUTS NUCLEAR PURSUITS IN RELIGIOUS, REGIONAL CONTEXT.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting director Ali Larijani defended his country's nuclear pursuits during a 17 September speech at the two-day International Conference for Arab and Islamic Media in Support of the Palestinian People, which is being held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Beirut, the official Radio Lebanon reported. He said Iran obtained nuclear technology for peaceful purposes but that the unspecified "they" do not want regional states, "particularly the Islamic countries," to make more progress in this area. Nevertheless, he said, "We publicly announce today that we will not abandon our right to obtain nuclear technology, and that, pursuant to the Prophet's saying, we believe that defending the Palestinian people is an Islamic and human duty." Larijani added, "We will not be scared by the childish threats by the American president to launch a crusade." BS


HIZBALLAH DEFENDS IRAN'S NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES.

Hizballah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah also gave a speech in Beirut at the International Conference for Arab and Islamic Media in Support of the Palestinian People, Al-Manar television reported on 17 September. Nasrallah defended Iran's nuclear pursuits in terms similar to those of Larijani, contrasting "their" treatment of Israel with "their" treatment of Iran. "Iran seeks to obtain nuclear power for peaceful purposes, but preparations are made to besiege it internationally. This may reach the point of declaring war on it," he said. "This happens while Israel, which possesses lethal nuclear weapons, is protected and is given easy loans and annual aid on all levels." BS

Comment: Is he expecting new devices?