International Atomic Energy Agency calls for nuclear-free zone in Mideast
Regional, Politics, 10/9/1997

When the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for the establishment of a verifiable nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East, it also called on "all concerned countries" in the region to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), but did not specifically mention Israel, which has not signed the treaty and which is under pressure from its Arab neighbors to do so.

At the conclusion of its general conference in Vienna, the IAEA passed a resolution asking all parties directly concerned to take appropriate steps towards the installation of a zone exempt from nuclear weapons.

Such a zone, it stipulated, should "be capable of mutual verification. "The move, it said, was prompted by concern for, "the grave consequences, endangering peace and security if the presence in the Middle East region of nuclear activities are not wholly devoted to peaceful purposes."

The IAEA also asked that "all countries of the region adopt conference measures" with a view toward establishing the nuclear arms free zone.

IAEA director-general Hans Blix said the resolution should "continue consultations with the states of the Middle East to facilitate the early application of full scope of agency safeguards to all nuclear activities in the region."

In a statement issued at a meeting of the UN nuclear energy watchdog-in Vienna, the IAEA urged that Baghdad hand over "without further delay, currently undisclosed nuclear weapons-related equipment, materials and information."

It also demanded that "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted rights of access" be granted to inspectors monitoring Iraq's nuclear arms capabilities.


Iraq has has been under tough UN sanctions since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and an oil embargo can only be lifted when UN arms inspectors certify that all Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been dismantled in line with UN resolutions.

Previous Stories:
  GCC civil defense meeting   (10/6/1997)
  Israel newspaper threatens launch of nuclear war against Syria   (9/30/1997)
  China tells Israel - No more nuclear support to Iran   (8/25/1997)

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