No UK plans to take Israel to UN over nuclear weapons
Israel-UK, Politics, 5/5/2006

The UK government has rejected a call in parliament to take Israel to the UN Security Council over its illegal stockpile of nuclear weapons and seek its participation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"We do not have any plans to make representations to the UNSC about Israel's participation in the NPT as we believe this can be best pursued though bilateral contacts," Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman said.

In a written question, published Thursday, the former BBC director general Lord Dykes urged the UK to make representations to the Security Council with regard to its nuclear arsenal, which he said remained "outside international supervision."

He linked his call with the current UN pressure on Iran to ensure compliance with the International Atomic Agency's procedures and NPT obligations.

Many politicians, academics and human rights groups have accused the British government of double standards in singling out Iran over its civilian nuclear program without first addressing the illegal stockpile of nuclear weapons held by Israel for decades.

According to the BBC, records have been recently uncovered showing that Britain helped Tel Aviv to speed up its development of nuclear arms by secretly supplying heavy water and plutonium nearly 50 years ago.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has repeatedly insisted that the UK supports the setting up of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East but has suggested that Israel should not be included until there is a long-term resolution over its occupation of Palestinian lands.

Previous Stories:
  Britain urge Israel be held accountable for British killings   (4/22/2006)
  The New Statesmen: UK sold plutonium to Israel to develop nuclear weapons   (3/10/2006)

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