hisham
2nd June 2003, 02:57 PM
Russia concerned over Israel's nuclear weapons program.
haaretz
Russia recently expressed concern over Israel's
nuclear program and demanded that this be placed
on the agenda of international organizations
concerned with preventing nuclear proliferation.
Speaking at a meeting of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group in
Pusan, South Korea 10 days ago,
the Russians presented a report
on the nuclear weapons
allegedly in Israel's
possession and demanded that
this matter be addressed.
Experts say that Russia raised
the issue in an attempt to rebuff American
pressure to cease its own nuclear dealings with
Iran. The Russian claim is that Israel represents
a greater nuclear threat to the Middle East than
does Iran.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group, which comprises 40
industrialized nations, works to prevent the
"leakage" of nuclear technology to states
suspected of trying to develop nuclear arms.
Its rules also limit trade in dual-use
technologies, which can be used for either
civilian or military purposes.
Israel, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), has been subjected
to these restrictions for years. As a result,
there is a long list of products that Israel has
trouble purchasing on international markets.
John Bolton, America's undersecretary of state for
arms control and international security affairs,
will come to Israel next week to discuss
America's efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program.
Shortly thereafter, the International Atomic
Energy Agency's board is slated to meet to
discuss the suspicions that Iran is violating the
nuclear non-proliferation treaty by trying to
develop nuclear weapons.
haaretz
Russia recently expressed concern over Israel's
nuclear program and demanded that this be placed
on the agenda of international organizations
concerned with preventing nuclear proliferation.
Speaking at a meeting of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group in
Pusan, South Korea 10 days ago,
the Russians presented a report
on the nuclear weapons
allegedly in Israel's
possession and demanded that
this matter be addressed.
Experts say that Russia raised
the issue in an attempt to rebuff American
pressure to cease its own nuclear dealings with
Iran. The Russian claim is that Israel represents
a greater nuclear threat to the Middle East than
does Iran.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group, which comprises 40
industrialized nations, works to prevent the
"leakage" of nuclear technology to states
suspected of trying to develop nuclear arms.
Its rules also limit trade in dual-use
technologies, which can be used for either
civilian or military purposes.
Israel, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), has been subjected
to these restrictions for years. As a result,
there is a long list of products that Israel has
trouble purchasing on international markets.
John Bolton, America's undersecretary of state for
arms control and international security affairs,
will come to Israel next week to discuss
America's efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program.
Shortly thereafter, the International Atomic
Energy Agency's board is slated to meet to
discuss the suspicions that Iran is violating the
nuclear non-proliferation treaty by trying to
develop nuclear weapons.