US Casting First Stone
Jun 18, 2003
THE INTERNATIONAL Atomic Energy Agency has urged Iran to sign an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NFT).
THE INTERNATIONAL Atomic Energy Agency has urged Iran to sign an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NFT).
The IAEA is the United Nations watchdog charged with keeping an eye on the use of nuclear energy, ensuring that it is developed for peaceful purposes like electricity, and not for weapons.
This is a sound mandate that all nations are morally obliged to respect. Iran, too, should heed the IAEA’s call as an NFT signatory by permitting stricter UN inspections.
Be that as it may, the otherwise legitimate talks between the IAEA and Iran are being clouded by the United States’ antagonism in the background.
In addition to adding its voice to the IAEA and European Union foreign ministers, the US is also supporting internal unrest in Iran, making it appear that its interest lies well beyond the nuclear programme.
This is a problem. Coming hot on the heels of the campaign against (yet-to-be-found) weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the US’s interest in Iran looks suspicious. And then, of course, America has the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and to-date remains the only country ever to have used atomic weapons. This irony is not lost on the world.
We should all be fearful of the potential destruction that nuclear weapons hold over mankind. But we should also be wary of casting the first stone, in a situation in which the US is not sinless, but is foremost of known nuclear powers. We should also not forget that in Iraq, the US and Britain all but pushed UN arms inspectors out to get the war underway. This time, the IAEA should be left to do its job with no undue pressure from without.
Ends
The IAEA is the United Nations watchdog charged with keeping an eye on the use of nuclear energy, ensuring that it is developed for peaceful purposes like electricity, and not for weapons.
This is a sound mandate that all nations are morally obliged to respect. Iran, too, should heed the IAEA’s call as an NFT signatory by permitting stricter UN inspections.
Be that as it may, the otherwise legitimate talks between the IAEA and Iran are being clouded by the United States’ antagonism in the background.
In addition to adding its voice to the IAEA and European Union foreign ministers, the US is also supporting internal unrest in Iran, making it appear that its interest lies well beyond the nuclear programme.
This is a problem. Coming hot on the heels of the campaign against (yet-to-be-found) weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the US’s interest in Iran looks suspicious. And then, of course, America has the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and to-date remains the only country ever to have used atomic weapons. This irony is not lost on the world.
We should all be fearful of the potential destruction that nuclear weapons hold over mankind. But we should also be wary of casting the first stone, in a situation in which the US is not sinless, but is foremost of known nuclear powers. We should also not forget that in Iraq, the US and Britain all but pushed UN arms inspectors out to get the war underway. This time, the IAEA should be left to do its job with no undue pressure from without.
Ends