India-US deal 'legitimizes' Israel arsenal

India-US deal 'legitimizes' Israel arsenal
Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:18:25

 

Iran has warned that the IAEA's approval of a nuclear deal between the US and India legitimizes Israel's nuclear weapons ambitions.

Under its 2005 deal with the White House, India will be allowed to continue its nuclear weapons activities while receiving nuclear supplies from the US.   In return, India, which is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), will open its nuclear energy sector to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).    In a Friday address before the IAEA Board of Governors preceding the unanimous approval of the inspections agreement, the Iranian envoy to the Vienna-based agency Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh voiced Tehran's reservations over the US-India nuclear trade deal.   "There is serious concern that the United States has taken this step with the intention to create a precedent and pave the way for Israel to continue its clandestine weapons activities," said Soltaniyeh.  Israel, the sole possessor of a nuclear arsenal in the Middle East, refuses to sign the NPT and provide safeguards to the international community.

According to a Washington-based military think tank, Tel Aviv has produced nuclear weapons with 'a yield of one megaton' -about twice as powerful as the most potent US-made atomic bombs. "Iran expresses its serious concern about the double standard policy of the United States which has and shall undermine the credibility, integrity and universality of the NPT," Soltaniyeh continued.

Washington accuses Iran, a signatory to the NPT, of pursuing nuclear weapons. This is while the IAEA admits that there is no link between the use of nuclear material and the 'alleged studies' of weaponization attributed to Iran.

Apart from Iran, several countries including, Pakistan, Austria, Brazil, Japan, Ireland, and Switzerland also voiced reluctance about the US-India agreement.

The IAEA's Safeguards Agreement to inspect additional Indian facilities was the key to finalizing the US-India nuclear deal.

The 118 members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the New Agenda Coalition (NAC), composed of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sweden, were also disappointed with the decision.

MD/HGH/MMN/RZS/HAR