“nuclear ambiguity"

[kpete]

Israel seeks exemption from atomic rules By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

VIENNA, Austria - Israel is looking to a U.S.-India nuclear deal to expand its own ties to suppliers, quietly lobbying for an exemption to non-proliferation rules so it can legally import atomic material, according to documents made available Tuesday to The Associated Press.

The move is sure to raise concerns among Arab nations already considering their neighbor the region's atomic arms threat. Israel has never publicly acknowledged having nuclear weapons but is generally considered to possess them.

The new push is reflected in papers Israel presented earlier this year to the "Nuclear Suppliers' Group" — 45 nations that export nuclear fuel and technology under strict rules meant to lessen the dangers of proliferation and trafficking in materials that could be used for a weapons program.

The initiative appeared to be linked to a U.S.-India agreement that would effectively waive the group's rules by allowing the United States to supply India with nuclear fuel despite its refusal both to sign the nonproliferation treaty and allowing the IAEA to inspect all of its nuclear facilities.

more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070925/ap_on_re_mi_ea/nuclear_israel

[Poll_Blind]

1. Those curious about the questions raised should check out this GD:P thread:

India and Israel: Nuclear Non-Proliferation myopia and U.S. Foreign Policy. Just posted an hour ago.

PB

[Poll_Blind]

2. Nuclear non-proliferation doesn't include "playing favorites" as the U.S. does.

  It degrades Nuclear Non-Proliferation, the U.S.'s position as a bargainer and generally makes us look disingenuous when it comes to nuclear non-proliferation.

  Which we are.

PB