Nuclear capabilities in the Middle East

Another long and tedious week at the IAEA Board of Governors. I have already commented on Iran, and the same goes as far as the Middle East and Israel. Deja vu! There is however, something developments worth noting. Those countries who lead the Third World are questioning the independence if the Agency and its new Director General, Amano.

Egipt, Cuba, Algeria and others are leading the pack in subtle attacks to reports and actions undertaken by Amano and his staff. Now, it is clear there are obvious loops in the new administration of the Agency. The choice by the countries who proposed and defended Mr. Amano as Director General to succeed the very political Al Baradei,was and is to have a mediocre leader, perhaps to reinforce the technical role of the IAEA. But the trend to question his ability to be independent is of concern.

And at the end of the day, if a country is sincere in its policy of non proliferation, and has nothing to hide or will never have nothing to hide regarding nuclear weapons, there should be no dispute about the role of the Agency and its procedures. So the question remains, do Arab countries really want to leave the door open to the future development of a nuclear bomb? If that is so, they are definitely doing a good job, with the help of Cuba, Venezuela and others.