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Iranian FM calls for pressure on Israel over WMDs
Damascus, Jan 03: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called here today for `international pressure` on Israel to give up its suspected weapons of mass destruction.
Damascus, Jan 03: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called here today for "international pressure" on
Israel to give up its suspected weapons of mass destruction.
"Effective international pressure should be brought to bear on Israel so that this entity renounces" its weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Kharazi told a press conference after a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Kharazi, who arrived today morning for an unannounced day-long visit, also met his Syrian counterpart, Faruq al-Shara.
Israel has never confirmed or denied that it possesses WMD, but has been considered by the united states to be a nuclear power since 1969.
Experts believe it has at least 200 nuclear warheads.
Israel has long declined to ratify the nuclear non-proliferation treaty amid fears that Iraq and Iran had programs to build not only nuclear weapons but also chemical and biological warheads.
Kharazi, whose country last month signed a protocol to the NPT allowing snap inspections of its atomic energy program, characterized as important a proposal by Syria and Egypt for a WMD-free Middle East.
Turning to Iraq, Kharazi said it was necessary to help the people of that country "take their destiny in hand" and that the US-led coalition "occupation force" should leave the country.
Bureau Report
"Effective international pressure should be brought to bear on Israel so that this entity renounces" its weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Kharazi told a press conference after a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Kharazi, who arrived today morning for an unannounced day-long visit, also met his Syrian counterpart, Faruq al-Shara.
Israel has never confirmed or denied that it possesses WMD, but has been considered by the united states to be a nuclear power since 1969.
Experts believe it has at least 200 nuclear warheads.
Israel has long declined to ratify the nuclear non-proliferation treaty amid fears that Iraq and Iran had programs to build not only nuclear weapons but also chemical and biological warheads.
Kharazi, whose country last month signed a protocol to the NPT allowing snap inspections of its atomic energy program, characterized as important a proposal by Syria and Egypt for a WMD-free Middle East.
Turning to Iraq, Kharazi said it was necessary to help the people of that country "take their destiny in hand" and that the US-led coalition "occupation force" should leave the country.
Bureau Report