Sunday, September 24, 2006













Egypt Slams Western Double Standards
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Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit lashed out at Western nations for thwarting the efforts of Arab and Islamic states to issue two Resolutions declaring that Israel's nuclear weapons posed a threat to regional stability & partake in a nuclear-free Middle East zone.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit described those Western policies as discriminatory and hypocritical.

"It is unacceptable that these countries continue to ignore the danger posed by the Israeli nuclear threat to stability and security in the Middle East," Aboul Gheit said. [1]

Canada had sponsored a "No" vote on Friday, which was backed by the United States, Europe and other Western allies. The nay-sayers Joined forces to stifle two Resolutions at an IAEA meeting, demanding that Israel only use its nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes and to partake in the establishment of a Middle Eastern nuclear-free zone.

IAEA member state instead voted on a diluted Resolution, that was also put forward by the Arab nations, "Affirming the urgent need for all states in the Middle East to accept full-scope IAEA safeguards on all their nuclear activities. [2]

Mr Aboul Gheit also insisted that Israel become a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), as he also called upon the IAEA to show fortitude and subject Israel's nuclear program to the same mandatory & strict inspections and safeguards other nations are required to adhere to.

Mr Aboul Gheit urged the Western powers to exhibit the same level of concern regarding Israel's nuclear threat as they consistently do towards other Non-Proliferation nations.

Mr Aboul Gheit also voiced concern that Israel's Nuclear program posed a "direct challenge" to the authority & legitimacy of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"For Developing and Arab countries to comprehend the concern Western powers are expressing over the Iranian nuclear issue, these Western powers have to convince everyone that they adhere to all that is lawful, and not pick sides," the Minister stated. [3]

Source for quotes:
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/766349.html

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