'Scrap nuclear arms' Israel urged

BBC News ^ | Friday, 12 December, 2003, 12:01 GMT | BBC News

[Optimist]

'Scrap nuclear arms' Israel urged

ElBaradei: IAEA assumes Israel has nuclear weapons

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has urged Israel to surrender its alleged nuclear weapons in order to further peace in the Middle East.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei told an Israeli newspaper such weapons were not "an incentive for security".

He also said Israel should sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Israel has never confirmed being a nuclear power, but is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons.

Need for dialogue

In his first interview with an Israeli newspaper, Mr ElBaradei told Haaretz the IAEA operated under the assumption that Israel had nuclear weapons despite the fact it had never been officially confirmed.

He warned that the belief Israel was safer because it possessed such weapons was false, as other Middle Eastern countries felt threatened by their presence.

"Frankly, I am not happy with the status quo, because I see a lot of frustration in the Middle East due to Israel's sitting on nuclear weapons or [its] nuclear weapons capability, while other parties in the Middle East are committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty," he said.

Mr ElBaradei added that Israel and its neighbours should enter dialogue to halt the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.

"My fear is that, without such a dialogue, there will be continued incentive for the region's countries to develop weapons of mass destruction to match the Israeli arsenal," he said.

BBC correspondent James Reynolds says the Egyptian-born IAEA chief's careful remarks reflected his awareness that many Israelis see him not as a disinterested observer, but rather as a citizen of a one-time enemy of Israel.

[dennisw]

'Scrap nuclear arms' Israel urged

Not much of a  shock coming from this chrome dome clone of Henry Waxman. He's an Arab Muslim for Pete's sake!

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yea, right after they drink the hemlock.

[Blood of Tyrants]

"Frankly, I am not happy with the status quo, because I see a lot of frustration in the Middle East due to Israel's sitting on nuclear weapons or [its] nuclear weapons capability,

You see, we could all get toghether and destroy Israel once and for all with no fear of nuclear retaliation.

[WaterDragon]

Only Old Europe and the Muslies are so dumb as to ask Israel to scrap their defenses!

[Optimist]

Only Old Europe and the Muslies are so dumb as to ask Israel to scrap their defenses!

And why stop with nukes. Surely all those planes, bombs, and missiles can't be too comforting to Israel's gracious Arab neighbors either.

Then, maybe we can put up a sign in front of the country saying "This is a weapon free country --- NO weapons of any kind are in this country".

wouldn't it be great to see everybody getting along then?

[WaterDragon]

*snort* You are SO sarcastic! LOL!

[LibKill]

Those nukes are the only thing that keep the arabs off their necks. They would be fools to give them up.

Info on Israel Nuclear program. (Will open in a new window.) Written by some liberals, but does have some interesting info.

[Salem]

Haaaaaaaaa, haaaa, haaaaaa, haaa!!  

Now, this is funny.



If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~

[NRA2BFree]

Thanks for the ping!

Haaaaaaaaa, haaaa, haaaaaa, haaa!! Now, this is funny.

Ditto! We can just rubber stamp it again for me. :)

[NRA2BFree]

The man is a fool...if he believes anyone will take him seriously...

And an Arab...... I wonder if he is biased?

Nah, I'm not gonna believe for one moment he is. LOL! :)

[Slings and Arrows]

Haaaaaaaaa, haaaa, haaaaaa, haaa!!

Funny you should mention that...