Israel considers EU talks on nuclear weapons

[bin.dare]

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2004/1207/breaking52.htm

Israel is considering whether to conclude an agreement committing it to dialogue with the European Union on weapons of mass destruction for the first time.

Israel, which is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, is widely believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear weapons arsenal but has never officially admitted it.

...

Since the EU adopted its the Neighbourhood Programme in 2002, it has insisted on WMD clauses in agreements, including most recently Syria and Iran. "We have to show that we are even-handed by insisting on this with Israel as well as Syria or Iran," a Commission official said.

The action plan would also require Israel to hold a regular dialogue with the EU on its human rights record, but diplomats said the wording of the WMD clause was the most sensitive issue.

[Sara Beverley]

1. Why do the other ME nations sign on to this ban when Israel doesn't?

Now Israel wants credit for "considering" disscusison about their WMDs? We know Israel has used WMDs against its neighbors before (Iraq). It's this mind-boggling double standard that we are hated for, not our freedom. It's our hypocrisy and outright racism.

[Endangered Specie]

2. It would be a cold day in hell when Isreal gives up its WMD's...

and we expect their neighbors to have nothing do defend themselves with? Ironic ain't it.

[daleo]

3. It seems hard to believe any country will give up nuclear weapons

There was a time when putting the genie back in the bottle seemed at least remotely possible. It seems doubtful now - more likely, lots more genies will come out of lots more bottles.