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Israel explains decision not to sign nuclear treaty |
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May 14, 2000 UNITED NATIONS, MAY 13 (AP) - Israel's foreign minister explained his country's refusal to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty by saying Iraq and Iran pose too great a threat to be ignored.
Foreign Minister David Levy spoke to reporters Friday as a month long conference reviewing the treaty wrapped up its third week of work. Israel has come under fire at the conference for being the only country in the Middle East that hasn't signed the treaty or allowed its nuclear facilities to be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"It is a fact that the technology purchased by Iran is intended in order to develop weapons of mass destruction and long range missiles," Levy said, adding that some of the missiles could reach Israel.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its nuclear capability and has said it wants to work out issues of nuclear disarmament regionally.
"We have not reached a state of tranquility and calmness that we can say the friends of Israel can guarantee the future," he said, citing Iraqi and Iranian nuclear capabilities.
Earlier, Levy met with Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss Israel's proposed withdrawal from southern Lebanon in July.
The United Nations is making contingency plans for its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to try to fill the security vacuum that would be created when Israel withdraws.
Annan's special envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, wrapped up several days of talks in the region this week to discuss the future U.N. role.
Levy said his discussions with Annan went well and stressed that Israel doesn't need the protection of U.N. forces.
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