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Disarmament DocumentationBack to Disarmament Documentation 'They always ask why Israel is outside the NPT regime', IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei in Israel, July 8, 2004ElBaradei said he is constantly questioned about Israel's refusal to sign onto the Non-Proliferation Treaty that would put its nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision. He said this perceived double standard is leading to an erosion of the legitimacy of the NPT in the Arab world. "They always ask why Israel is outside the NPT regime," ElBaradei said. "They always ask about this double standard." ElBaradei said during his lecture that much work must be done in improving nuclear safeguards. He said the development of nuclear programs in Iran and Libya were "eye-openers" for the IAEA, and proved the gaping holes in the system. ElBaradei said the major hole at the present is the accessibility of nuclear material to what he called "sub-nationalist" groups, saying he realizes that the ease with which terrorists can now attain nuclear weapons needs to be at the top of the agency's agenda. "A major change in the last couple of years has been the illicit trafficking in nuclear materials," ELBaradei said, adding that some 20 companies worldwide have - wittingly or not - been involved in this trafficking. ElBaradei said he was pleased that Israel had agreed to adopt safeguards to ensure that exports from Israel are not used by third parties to facilitate nuclear development. The senior official in the Israel Atomic Energy Commission said that as of July 1 the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued ordinances governing the export of material that could be used for nuclear purposes. The official said these ordinances formally codify what up until now was an informal arrangement. Regarding Iran's nuclear development, ElBaradei said he is not convinced that international sanctions are the solution to get Teheran to comply with international safeguards meant to ensure it will not develop nuclear weapons. "Is the Security Council the most useful and best way to go?" he asked. Referring to North Korea, which last year opted out of the NPT after its non-compliance was taken to the Security Council, ElBaradei said, "North Korea showed the limitations of the Security Council. As long as we are making steady progress [with the Iranians], let's give diplomacy a chance. If that doesn't work, then go to the Security Council." ElBaradei refused to venture a guess whether oil-rich Iran is pursuing its nuclear program for its own internal energy needs, or for nuclear weapons, saying "We are not God. We cannot read intentions." The senior Israel Atomic Energy Commission official said he is convinced that Iran is continuing to pursue its nuclear program, but "there is still a chance to stop it." The official said Israel is encouraged by global recognition that this is not only an Israeli problem, but also a strategic danger facing the entire world. Source: Excerpts from an article in the Jerusalem Post, http://www.jpost.com/. © 2003 The Acronym Institute. |