Date : 14/11/2007
By Abdelwaheb El Gueyed
VIENNA, Nov 14 (KUNA) -- Efforts of the Palestinian Authority to join the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) as an observer have
been reportedly thwarted on Wednesday.
A diplomatic source attending the CTBTO preparatory committee meeting,
concluding today, told KUNA that the Algerian ambassador, who heads the Arab
group, had proposed calling on her Palestinian counterpart to deliver a speech
that reiterated his country's request to joint the organization.
However, the source said the Israeli ambassador -- backed by the
delegations of the US, Canada, Australia, and the EU -- refused this proposal,
saying that this was a technical organization and not a political podium from
which the Palestinians, who did not have a recognized state, could make
speeches.
Arab, Iranian and Malaysia delegations strongly criticized the Western
states, accusing them of allowing Israel -- a non-signature of the
Non-Proliferation Treaty -- to thwart all of CTBTO's efforts for the past
decade, according to the source.
The treaty, CTBT, has not come into effect despite being inked ten years
ago because 11 countries -- including the US, India, Pakistan, and North Korea
-- refuse to ratify it, thus holding on to the option of nuclear deterrence as
a means for self-defense in case of coming under attack. (end)
amg.ema
KUNA 141606 Nov 07NNNN