Iranian minister: Israel is the 'real nuclear danger' in Mideast
Olmert to AIPAC: Iran is Israel's greatest threat; FM Livni: U.S. must not show weakness on Iran and Iraq.
By Shmuel Rosner, AgenciesIsrael and U.S. delegations walked out of the United Nations' disarmament forum on Tuesday after Iran said Israel was the "real source of nuclear danger in the Middle East" and had a "dark record of crimes."
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a Conference on Disarmament that Israel's nuclear weapons posed a "uniquely grave threat to regional and international peace and security" requiring action by the international community.
He also accused Israel of being a "Zionist regime with a long and dark record of crimes and atrocities" including occupation, "state-terrorism" and crimes against humanity.
"It is surprising that while no practical step is taken to contain [the] real source of nuclear danger in the Middle East, my country is under tremendous pressure to renounce its inalienable right for peaceful use of nuclear energy", Mottaki told the conference, organized by the 65 members of the world's main forum for arms control negotiations.
In a statement, Israel's ambassador Itzhak Levanon to the UN in Geneva, said that he and his aides, and the entire U.S. delegation had "abruptly left the room as the Foreign Minister of Iran ... was in the middle of a vitriolic speech".
Levanon said Mottaki's speech was a "blatant insult" to the forum and the "only explanation for their undiplomatic behaviour is that they are under much pressure as the international community unites against Iran's pursuit of a nuclear regime."
A U.S. spokeswoman in Geneva confirmed the walk-out and called Mottaki's remarks "outrageous and divisive" at a time the forum was trying to find common ground on global arms issues.
Israel, which has accused Iran of having an atomic weapons programme, is believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, but has maintained an "ambiguity" policy for years.
Six major powers negotiating United Nations sanctions against Iran for its nuclear ambitions on Monday said they were closer to a deal but needed more time to produce a Security Council resolution.
The resolution would penalise Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, which can be used in bombs or for peaceful purposes to generate electricity.
Mottaki reasserted that Iran had a right to a civilian atomic program but was ready to talk.
"We do believe that if we sit around the table, the potential is there for arriving at a comprehensive and agreeable solution," he told a news conference.
Russia urges Iran to meet UN demands to freeze uranium enrichmentRussia has urged Iran to fulfill the United Nations demand to freeze its uranium enrichment program and to cooperate with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, officials said Tuesday.
Russian officials made the call during the two-day of talks in Moscow with Ali Hosseinitash, a deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement which appeared to signal Moscow's growing irritation with its close partner.
During the talks with Hosseinitash, Moscow emphasized the need for Tehran to fulfill the demands of corresponding resolutions of the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency Board. Russian officials also urged Tehran to take the necessary constructive steps that would allow an immediate start to the negotiation process, the statement said.
Iran insists its enrichment program is peaceful and aimed solely at producing nuclear energy, but the United States and its allies believes it serves as a cover for seeking to build atomic weapons. In December, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to impose limited sanctions against Iran for its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment.
Senior representatives of the five permanent Security Council members - Russia, China, the United States, Britain and France, along with Germany - have been discussing possible new sanctions against Iran to force it to suspend enrichment efforts.
Peres: Iranian nuclear issue must be dealt with peacefullyVice Premier Shimon Peres said Tuesday that a peaceful solution must be found to the Iranian nuclear problem, despite its president's vow to wipe Israel off the map.
"I wouldn't like to darken the future with belligerent declarations," Peres said at a news conference when asked about the possibility of a pre-emptive strike.
"I do hope that the problem can be solved economically, politically and psychologically."
Peres also reiterated Israel's long-held policy of nuclear ambiguity, a policy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared to veer from in December with remarks that implied possession of atomic weapons.
The vice premier said the only thing his nation has ever declared is that it will not be the first in the region to use nuclear weapons despite the many threats against it.
"We've learned that suspicion is enough. We don't need anything else," he added.
Peres is in Tokyo for a four-nation meeting Wednesday about Middle East peace that includes officials from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and host Japan, as well as a two-day confidence-building conference that starts Wednesday.
Olmert on Monday named Iran as the greatest threat to Israel and said it was building sophisticated weaponry systems and trying to create nuclear capacity.
"When we hear such threats... we have no choice but to take it seriously and we must address ourselves to these threats," Olmert told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) at the Washington-based lobbying group's annual conference.
The prime minister also said that diplomacy was the preferred solution to forcing the Iranians to reconsider their nuclear position.
But, he said, only U.S. President George W. Bush and the U.S. can effectively confront Iran's attempt to boost its nuclear capacity.
"All of you who are concerned about the security and the future of the state of Israel understand the importance of strong American leadership addressing the Iranian threat and I'm sure that you will not hamper or restrain that strong leadership unnecessarily," Olmert said.
Livni: U.S. must not show weakness on Iraq, IranForeign Minister Tzipi Livni told AIPAC on Monday that Iran was at the forefront of extremist threats to Israel, the greater Middle East and the world in general because of its nuclear ambitions.
"To address extremism is to address Iran," she said, urging tougher UN sanctions over its nuclear program. "It is a regime which denies the Holocaust while threatening the world with a new one."
"To those states who know the threat but still hesitate because of narrow economic or political interests, let me say this: History will remember."
Also addressing AIPAC, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warned Monday that an early withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq would lead to disaster and chaos in the Middle East, with either Al-Qaida or Iran emerging dominant from a bloody sectarian battle.
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Shimon Peres speaking to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AP) |
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A lot of people believe in alien abductions, believe in religious myths and all sorts of conspiracy theories. Most people used to think the world was flat and the earth the centre of the universe. So what? Where's the proof? That's why Jews need Israel, for protection against deluded pornographers like yourself who are convinced, without any evidence except urban myths and hearsay, that all (or even just some) of the world's problems come from the Jews. You're so pathetic I think I might cry...
How do you know the rest of the world thinks that? Please tell me about your special insight. In the meantime, if Iran's ministers believe in things shared by the majority, why does the government have to be a one-party dictatorship? I mean, why are Iran's ministers so scared of a multi-party, democratic system if they are representative of the majority? Doh...
`Blimey, for once I actually agree with you...
It has been said that God Must have a sense of humor,(or perhaps doesn't want to interfere in the choices he has given Man). ie, to allow the destruction of what You created in Your image. We all know that You have given mankind the ability to decide his fate. We are desparately seeking a way out of the darkness that has gripped the world in the last 7 years. Most inhabitants of our planet that are exposed to current news must ponder: When God,will You say "Enough'!! Your Children are Dieing, nedlessly!! Please Help Us God!
It is a well-known fact that Israel has the only nuclear arsenal in the region. It will be short-sighted, and even dumb, for other countries in the region to NOT acquire nuclear weapons. Peace doesn't cancel the need for mutual deterrence. The premise that Israel is a "civilized" country that will not use nukes, and that Arab/Islamic countries are barbarians who will at the first chance possible is plain dumb and racist. If a similar statement was made about Jews anti-semitism bullets will be flying about. Oh by the by, Arabs too are Semites, probably more semite than the blue-eyed blonde semites of Poland living in Israel. But discrimination against Arabs is never a crime. We are not supposed to protect ourselves, we're supposed to depend on the mercy of US and Israel. How dumb could one be to buy into such a premise? Eventually there HAS to be balance, or war will be inevitable.
the general security service believes the "worst threat" may actually come from within.---israeli arabs--- in israel. 21 arab countries versus 1 Israel....God of Israel is the "VICTOR".
What the Iranian Foreign Minister said about Israel may have coused the Israeli and US delegates to walk out, but his views are shared by most of the rest of the world.
Neutered as in having lost the important bits... In a previous incarnation as Neutral Observer I annoyed a keen Zionist so much that he rechristened me. On reflection I decided that much of what Israel has done in recent years angers me so profoundly that I am not neutral, hence Neutered.
I disagree that Israel's (I wink to the ambiguity gods) nuclear deterrent represents a danger to the Middle East. Rather it has been a stabilizing influence to the extent that no Arab nation entertains delusions of rolling Israel into the sea. Furthermore, it has relieved Israeli strategists and politicians having to worry about such a possibility. From 1948 to 1973 Israel fought four major wars, three of which involved the invasion, or fear of invasion, from Egypt, Syria and other Arab nations. Since then Israel's wars have been elective. Undertaken for advantage, not out of necessity. The Real Nuclear Danger in the Mideast is the same as it is everywhere. Lunatics who think and talk of nuclear war as if it were some athletic event, or entertainment spectacle.
State sponsored terrorism is Irans calling card.Giving weapons to terrorist which leadfs to bus bombings, sucide bombers, and trying to overthrow Lebanon. Then there are the threats to destroy Israel. Iran has it all wrong the only dysfuntional country in the world community is Iran. Even North Korea is backing down. Iranian leaders act like the more they scream and threaten everyone they will get what they want. The clock is ticking and they need to wake up sooner then later that the world community will not let them have Nuclear weapons
There was just too much truth in Mr. Mottaki's statement for representatives of the world's top two terrorist nations to digest in one setting. Iran has been subjected to one of the greatest defamation campaigns in history by the U.S. and Israel which is why I'm not averse to displaying the Iranian flag at peace vigils. And thank you, Maureen Ann, of Bathust for saying more than I had time to compose.
Even the Bush Administration put restrictions on human embryo stem cell research! Aren't you fortunate Hastaroth, that such research was not in vogue when you were in the embryonic stage? Life begins at conception. Just because some things cannot be seen by the human eye, does not mean life does not exist in a tiny group of cells. Remember, millions believe in an unseen God.
"Iran is the real nuclear danger in the Middle East as it has repeatedly threatened to annihilate Israel. It is also working feverishly on its nuke program so that it can accomplish its evil intention on nuking Israel." Brod, do you realize how ridiculous you sound? To say a non-nuclear state is the real threat? The HAS NOT been a shred of evidence that Iran is diverting its nuclear technology to a weapons program. And you really need to educate yourself about "Iran threatening Israel with annihiltion", what that Ahmadi Clown uttered was aimed at the 'Zionist regime' and not Israel, the country. I feel nauseated just thinking how blindly you gargle someone else's spit.
It's really strange. I thought that Britain and France had nuclear capability? Why should I not be worried about that? Britain has actually tested nuclear weapons - I don't remember reading anywhere that Israel had made such a test. Israel is no threat to any other country in the Middle East or further afield - with or without nuclear weapons. Israel threatens nobody. Israel has only responded militarily when she has been attacked or threatened. Don't let your hate of the Jewish State cloud your common sense. Ask yourself: Should I worry about Britains nuclear ambitions, such as Tridant?
AIPAC can prevent the nightmare scenerio of war with Iran by MOTIVATING U.S. leadership to aggressively deal with Iran by diplomatically interacting with the Islamic state. The U.S. has the most powerful "carrot and stick" leverage to obviate any war by using it's great power diplomatically, so that Iran never enrich uranium to weapons grade (regularly confirmed via IAEA inspectors), and, as a side benefit, motivate Iran to stop supporting the militant arm of Hezbollah. A war with Iran would lead to terrorist acts within the U.S. (I'll bet Iran has already sent suicide bombers to the U.S. via the open Mexican border), suicide attacks elsewhere, the price of oil sky-rocketing -all causing the U.S. economy to tank! AIPAC CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING!!!
the Israeli and American delegations? We only have to listen to those in Israel calling for escalation in IDF terror i.e. complaints that the IDF had their "hands tied" during the Lebanon invasion. Will Mr Olmert or future Israeli leaders be able to subdue certain IDF generals? How secure are Israel's nuclear weapons? When will Israel allow the IAEA inspect Israel's nuclear facilities/weapons? How much longer must the rest of the world tolerate such double standards? Not only should Israel's "dardk record of crimes" be considered, but also the fact Israel has ignored, bombed and shot UN officials! What a bloody 'upstart' is Usrael, walking out of United Nations disarmament forum-amazing! Running away like the sneaks they are, once the spotlight is on their crimes!!
BRITAIN, FRANCE USA AND RUSSIA HAVE SUBMARINES NUCLEAR ARMED GOING AROUND THE WORLD 24/7 BALLISTIC WRITE SOMETHING SENSIBLE FOR ACHANGE !!
YOU GOT TO LISTEN TO U.S, OILMEN, ISRAEL AND AIPAC. THEY DECIDE ABOUT WHATS GOOD AND BAD FOR THIS WORLD. DONT ASK QUESTIONS.
with a tin cup and sign reading 'Support and Help Iran Pay Russia for Iranian Nuclear Development'?
Click--you know, the NNP is kind of a club--the big nuclear powers, AFIK asking other powers to sign based on the little guys not having nukes. As a Zionist I worry about what your mullah chums wish to do with their weapons if they get them, given, yes, yes, yes, clear threats in multiple forums to, and non-"allegorically" and non-"metaphorically" wipe Israel of the map. Their compliance with the NNP once they signed it (and got aid out of signing it) is a side-issue. If the Hadassah International and the Lubavitchers got together and developed a bomb it wouldn't worry me. If some of the guys who regularly post blaming "Zionists" for all the world ills were to get a suitcase device, I'd be worried, NNP or no NNP. It might be, just maybe, that Iran with a nuclear arsenal worries not only the ZIonists, Israeliis, and Jews, or the "neocons" but every Sunni state in the region.
Neutered as after a lobotomy or neutered as being " fixed" ?
If Israel has had nuclear weapons for as long as the Arab states have said they have had them, and I believe they have, their restraint demonstrates incontrovertibly that Israel is NOT the real nuclear danger in the Middle East.
I can also play God with your lifespan. Let's see, considering the situation in Indonesia with the floods, tsunamis, volcanoes, ferries sinking and violence you might live another 1 or 2 years, 5 years tops!
Iran is the real nuclear danger in the Middle East as it has repeatedly threatened to annihilate Israel. It is also working feverishly on its nuke program so that it can accomplish its evil intention on nuking Israel.
I agree. Stupidity and dumn wishfull thinking are dangerous.
out MINOR and rather insignificant details giving needed balance to the warmonger madness and their claims, shame on you!! So, now what should a country do that has nuclear weapons pointed at it? Regards. Enjoyed the post. Keep blogging.
It would seem the "friendship" between those two is weakening quickly. No fuel rods, bickering over money, now this. I'm sure it will get even more interesting.
Just like to point out that it is Israel who is pointing nukes at her Arab and Iranian neighbours and not the other way round.
Before the message from Israel was that Iraq posed a threat to Israel and the region. Many are sure that Israeli intelligence had a hand in convincing the U.S. that Iraq had WMD, and supported the U.S. in attacking Iraq. Now Israel says that Iran is a threat to Israel and the region. Enough young american men and women have been killed. Enough have them have been severly wounded. It is time that all U.S. military personnel come home to where they belong. It is time for the countries and the people that live within the middle east, come to terms among themselves, and try to make peace. This may take a gneration or two, may involve some wars here and there. Obviously both the Israeli and the arabs have not learned much from history past. When there is one regional power (i.e. Israel), this will directly cause other countries to gain similar military strength as to maintain status quo. Today it is being said that Iran is working on nuclear weapons. Well we have Pakistan and India.
"Peres also reiterated Israel's long-held policy of nuclear ambiguity, a policy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared to veer from in December with remarks that implied possession of atomic weapons." There isn't a person on the planet who doesn't think Israel has nuclear weapons. Do the Israelis think we're all suffering from Alzheimer's Disease? The jackass Olmert ADMITTED Israel had nukes, as did the US head honcho in Iraq, Gates. That the Israeli have now gone coy again doesn't change a thing. Do they expect us to unremember Olmert's admission?
"Peres also reiterated Israel's long-held policy of nuclear ambiguity, a policy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared to veer from in December with remarks that implied possession of atomic weapons." There isn't a person on the planet who doesn't think Israel has nuclear weapons. Do the Israelis think we're all suffering from Alzheimer's Disease? The jackass Olmert ADMITTED Israel had nukes, as did the US head honcho in Iraq, Gates. That the Israeli have now gone coy again doesn't change a thing. Doe they expect us to unremember Olmert's admission?
"Peres also reiterated Israel's long-held policy of nuclear ambiguity, a policy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared to veer from in December with remarks that implied possession of atomic weapons." There isn't a person on the planet who doesn't think Israel has nuclear weapons. Do the Israelis think we're all suffering from Alzheimer's Disease? The jackass Olmert ADMITTED Israel had nukes, as did the US head honcho in Iraq, Gates. That the Israeli have now gone coy again doesn't change a thing. Do they expect us to unremember Olmert's admission?
It seems Shimon Peres does not want Israel to either admit or drop the first bomb, but, nevertheless seems to be very sure who will drop the second bomb. I just wonder where such confidence comes from.
If someone threatened your life and you had a gun in your hand, wouldn't you use it?
...that you were wrong. I hope next time you will be more careful to read an article before you post on it.
So I see that when Israel utters sounds of peace rather than war this too is reason for you to disparage us. WHat's your point?
You got me this time, mister. Sorry Peres.
The probability that the world will, at the end, make it depends on the fact that the USA loves money more than it loves world domination. I know my theory will sound awkward, but I see it this way. Wars cost! They cost MONEY, and HUMAN LIVES THAT AMERICAN MOMS AND WIVES ARE FED UP WITH PAYING. The other reason is that the government is unwilling to spend the money that is hard to regain by conquest, and more impossible to recover with harsher taxation..... So, probably these two motives will be good enough to make the world survive.... Ciao, MF
This issue is too hot for an old man to handle. And it is not an issue to be handled by people who should be enjoying their retirement years.
the world to WW3. let's hope Peres is right
Olmert and the Gang, and Peace Now are Israel's Greatest Threat.
Peres says the Iranian problem must be solved peacefully and he doesn't want to darken the future with belligerent declarations. But you are one of those who will always believe Israel is only doing wrong things. BTW,have you heard that Israeli scientists made a functional mini-heart from embryonic cells?Is that an evil achievement,too?
The ironic thing when people like Peres talk about war is he doesn't has much time to feel the real impact of an attack against Iran. In 84 years old, probably he has 1 or 2 years left, 5 on top.
An internal Shabak document says Israel's Arabs are a long-range strategic danger to Israel's character and very existence. Though many believe that Iran is currently Israel's greatest danger, the General Secret Service believes that the worst threat may actually come from within. An internal General Security Service document says that Israel's Arab population is a "genuine long-range danger to the Jewish character and very existence of the State of Israel." A recent meeting in the Prime Minister's office presented Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with worrisome data in various spheres, including increasing Israeli-Arab solidarity and identification with terrorist elements, Hizbullah and the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority.
Nice to hear Peres assuring us that Israel will never be the first to use the nukes it hasn't got. Then why the recent circular from the IDF's top lawyer to all units saying it was OK to use the nonexistant nukes if Israel faced a "real" existentialist threat.