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Kuwait calls on Int'l community to nudge Israel join NPT

VIENNA, Oct 1 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait has called on the international community to nudge Israel join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and allow experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) examine its nuclear installations.
The international community should shoulder its responsibilities and urge Israel joint the NPT and subject all its nuclear installations to the IAE safeguard measures in the Middle East, said Talal Al-Fassam, the State of Kuwait Ambassador to Austria and the Permanent Representative at the International Organizations in Vienna, who was addressing the IAEA 66TH annual conference that concluded early on Saturday.
Ambassador Al-Fassam called during a debate regarding Israel's nuclear capacities to keep the topic under discussion at the IAEA policy making agencies.
The conferees during the session adopted a draft resolution, proposed by Egypt, on applying the IAEA safeguards procedures in the Middle East, with 117 votes in favor, seven abstentions and Israel's opposition.
The resolution underscored the urgent need that all Middle Eastern countries accept implementation of the safeguards' regime as a step to build confidence among the regional countries, boost peace and security as part of the approach to render the Middle East clear of the nuclear weapons.
It called on the stakeholders to consider "serious steps" to implement the plan in an effective manner.
On North Korea, the conferees unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Pyongyang to totally adhere to the NPT and fully cooperate with the IAEA to ensure the safeguards' implementation.
The IAEA has declared that nuclear activities in North Korea constitute a source of grave concern and its continuation of such activities is an explicit breach of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Moreover, they decided to beef up international cooperation at the level of nuclear, radioactive and waste transfer safety. They also expressed support for the IAEA director general's plan to safeguard premises of the Ukrainian nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia.
During the session, 11 states were elected as new members of the IAEA board of governors -- including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while 11 members had to relinquish their seats.
The IAEA wrapped up five days of hard deliberations on security and nuclear-arms non-proliferation and clearing the Middle East of deadly arms. Up to 175 delegations took part in the convention, representing the member states, diverse public and private establishments and institutions.
The conference was originally set to conclude six hours earlier but ongoing disagreements between Russia and its western adversaries delayed its conclusion. The Russians expressed ardent opposition to a Dutch proposed resolution, stipulating that nuclear facilities in Ukraine be preserved, drawing opposition, as well, from the Iranians and the Chinese.
The conferees deliberated prospects of clearing the Middle East of nuclear arms, urged the Iranians to cooperate with the IAEA and acknowledge presence of uranium residues, recently discovered by the IAE experts. (end) amg.rk