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US Ambassador to IAEA Warns Arabs Against Condemning Israel | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Vienna, Asharq Al-Awsat – In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, US Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], Glyn Davies, spoke of his fear that Arab ambassadors would try to revive a political war to condemn Israel at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting and the 54th IAEA General Conference that is expected to begin next week.

Davies called on Arab ambassadors to work according to what according to the international consensus achieved by the New York Conference which reviewed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty last May. This is in order to open the door for Israel and ensure that it participates during the IAEA conference that is expected to take place sometime in 2012 to examine the future of the Middle East as a zone free of nuclear arms.

The New York Conference resulted in an agreement – the first such agreement in a decade – on the issue of nuclear disarmament and the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. This agreement also called on Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and open its nuclear facilities to international inspection.

Davies also stressed the need for “Arab ambassadors not to risk what they had achieved by attempting to pass a new resolution condemning Israel” although he refused to reveal what the US will do should the Arab ambassadors insist upon attempting to push through such a resolution. The US diplomat also stressed “the necessity of working as a united front to implement policies to encourage Israel to participate in the 2012 conference, and this is in order to achieve the objective that all parties seek, which is a Middle East region that is free of nuclear weapons.”

Davies went on to say “What is more positive? For the IAEA General Conference to pass a resolution condemning Israel and for this [news] to adorn the headlines, or for a coordinated attempt to take place dissolve the confrontation and criticism which would facilitate the Israeli officials’ decision to participate [at the 2012 conference]?”

Davies ended his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat by speaking of his hope that “Vienna does not destroy what was achieved in New York, and for the ranks to remain united.” He also stressed once again that “what happened in New York was a miracle that must be upheld” and he called for all parties to exert efforts in this regard.