A long-awaited decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to table the Israeli nuclear file for debate was welcomed by a Qatari newspaper on Tuesday.
In its editorial, the arabic Al-Watan daily said that "this positive move was a direct fruit of intensive Arab action to persuade the 136-country international watchdog table the israeli nuclear threat at its general conference deliberations."
The paper welcomed the fact that the Israeli nuclear issue would be discussed, despite the doubts engulfing the fairness and impartiality of IAEA, which was supposed to be an independent United Nations authority.
"Unfortunately, the supposedly fair and impartial un body has been selectively tough against Iraq, North Korea and Iran, the three countries branded by the US as 'axis of evil,'" the paper said.
The Qatari newspaper saw no justification for the IAEA
decision to take such a tough line against the Iranian
nuclear program, at a time when it remains tight-lipped towards the Israeli military arsenal of some 200 to 300 nuclear bombs or missiles.
Israel is believed to possess the largest and most sophisticated arsenal outside of the five declared nuclear powers. Israel has never admitted possessing nuclear weapons, but abundant information is available showing that the capability exists. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
