Israeli foreign minister speaks at Japan National Press Club
May 13, 2010
by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman attended a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on May 12, during a visit to Japan, and stressed that the world faces a major threat in Iran's suspected nuclear weapons development program. Mr. Lieberman, however, did not make concrete mention of Israeli nuclear issues, including that of joining the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Mr. Lieberman contended that if Iran gains a nuclear arsenal, this will lead to an escalating arms race in the Middle East. He also pointed out that North Korea, Iran, and Syria have been engaged in the trade of nuclear materials and technology, arguing that this fact poses the greatest threat to the countries of Japan and Israel.
When asked whether he was urged to join the NPT in a meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama that took place on May 11, Mr. Lieberman said simply that, though the two nations hold different views, they both recognize the significance of joining the NPT regime.
In response to an observation that the international community is calling more loudly for accountability from Israel with regard to clarifying whether or not it holds nuclear weapons, Mr. Lieberman said that he could not comment on rumor.
(Originally published on May 13, 2010)
Related articles
Nuclear Weapons Can Be Eliminated: Chapter 10, Introduction (May 12, 2010)
Nuclear weapon states touch on Middle East Resolution (May 7, 2010)
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman attended a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on May 12, during a visit to Japan, and stressed that the world faces a major threat in Iran's suspected nuclear weapons development program. Mr. Lieberman, however, did not make concrete mention of Israeli nuclear issues, including that of joining the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Mr. Lieberman contended that if Iran gains a nuclear arsenal, this will lead to an escalating arms race in the Middle East. He also pointed out that North Korea, Iran, and Syria have been engaged in the trade of nuclear materials and technology, arguing that this fact poses the greatest threat to the countries of Japan and Israel.
When asked whether he was urged to join the NPT in a meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama that took place on May 11, Mr. Lieberman said simply that, though the two nations hold different views, they both recognize the significance of joining the NPT regime.
In response to an observation that the international community is calling more loudly for accountability from Israel with regard to clarifying whether or not it holds nuclear weapons, Mr. Lieberman said that he could not comment on rumor.
(Originally published on May 13, 2010)
Related articles
Nuclear Weapons Can Be Eliminated: Chapter 10, Introduction (May 12, 2010)
Nuclear weapon states touch on Middle East Resolution (May 7, 2010)
