CG51
09-28-2005, 11:48 AM
Israel dismisses Arab complaint about atom arsenal (http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/28/MTFH00987_2005-09-28_12-43-16_SPI845638.html)
VIENNA (*******) - Israel on Wednesday dismissed as "cynically motivated" a push by Arab countries to have the United Nations nuclear watchdog's 139 member states condemn the Jewish state for having nuclear weapons.
Israel neither confirms nor denies having a nuclear arsenal but experts estimate it has between 100 and 200 atomic bombs.
In a letter submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on behalf of Arab member states, Oman asked that member states consider a statement strongly criticizing Israel at the agency's General Conference this week.
Israel pushed for countries to reject the letter, which is on the meeting's agenda.
"There is no basis for this agenda item, whose sponsors are motivated by extraneous considerations which are also evident in their efforts to challenge Israel's credentials," the head of Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, Gideon Frank, said in a statement to the General Conference.
"Both actions are politically and cynically motivated and have little to do with the IAEA's objective or mandate. They inevitably cast a serious doubt on the sincerity of its sponsors," he added.
The statement adjoined to the Arab letter said: "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."
Arab countries submit similar statements to the IAEA's general conference every year, but have failed to win backing since 1991.
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).
VIENNA (*******) - Israel on Wednesday dismissed as "cynically motivated" a push by Arab countries to have the United Nations nuclear watchdog's 139 member states condemn the Jewish state for having nuclear weapons.
Israel neither confirms nor denies having a nuclear arsenal but experts estimate it has between 100 and 200 atomic bombs.
In a letter submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on behalf of Arab member states, Oman asked that member states consider a statement strongly criticizing Israel at the agency's General Conference this week.
Israel pushed for countries to reject the letter, which is on the meeting's agenda.
"There is no basis for this agenda item, whose sponsors are motivated by extraneous considerations which are also evident in their efforts to challenge Israel's credentials," the head of Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, Gideon Frank, said in a statement to the General Conference.
"Both actions are politically and cynically motivated and have little to do with the IAEA's objective or mandate. They inevitably cast a serious doubt on the sincerity of its sponsors," he added.
The statement adjoined to the Arab letter said: "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."
Arab countries submit similar statements to the IAEA's general conference every year, but have failed to win backing since 1991.
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).