Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Syria seeks UN resolution on nuclear-free Middle East
Press Trust of India United Nations, December 30
In a move apparently aimed at Israel, Syria has asked the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution to make Middle East a nuclear weapon-free zone.
It urged the countries in the region to adopt a convention which would ban production, development and stockpiling of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
However, the Syrian move, which came in the wake of decision of Iran and Libya to allow UN inspectors to check their nuclear facilities, stands little chance of being adopted as several members, including Pakistan, have reservations.
Israel has never either admitted or denied possessing nuclear weapons but is perceived by the countries in the region to have such arms. The International Atomic Energy Agency also says it is proceeding on the assumption that Israel has nuclear capability.
Diplomats said that in closed-door consultation on Monday, not more than six of the 15 members expressed support. A resolution required nine votes to be adopted.
The US, Britain, France, Germany and Bulgaria, besides Pakistan, expressed their reservations, diplomats said. Syrian Ambassador Fayssal Mekdad agreed that he was three short of nine votes needed.
Syria, the only Arab member of the Security Council, said that the Council should ask Israel to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction.
American officials say that they would like to see the region nuclear weapons free but saw an attempt to score a political point in the resolution.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2003.