Sunday, December 10, 2006
ââ¬ËIsrael provoked nuclear weapon race in Gulfââ¬â¢
* Saudi intelligence chief wants US pullout timetable for Iraq
MANAMA: Israelââ¬â¢s reputed nuclear arms arsenal has provoked an atomic weapons race in the Middle East, a senior Saudi official said Friday in apparent reference to Iran.
ââ¬ÅThe fact that Israel has nuclear arms constitutes the most dangerous strategic threat for the security of the Gulf in the short and medium terms,ââ¬Â said the Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz.
ââ¬ÅThis has led certain countries in the region to take part in the contest for nuclear arms, as we are now seeing,ââ¬Â he said in a speech to a Gulf security conference in Manama, without naming Iran.
The West suspects the Islamic republic is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Tehran.
The Jewish state is widely considered to be the Middle Eastââ¬â¢s sole nuclear armed power, but has never confirmed or denied the suspicions, and continues to campaign against arch-foe Iranââ¬â¢s nuclear programme.
ââ¬ÅThe spread of weapons of mass destruction in the region will make the security issues more complicated in the whole region,ââ¬Â Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s chief of general intelligence warned.
ââ¬ÅIt will rather give the right for the countries in the region to adopt policies and to make alliances with the countries (which possess) nuclear technology,ââ¬Â said the prince, whose speech was translated from the Arabic.
ââ¬ÅIt will also stimulate moderate countries in the region which adopt policies to eliminate weapons of mass destruction to (have) nuclear programmes, whether concealed or declared, aimed at creating military balance in the region in order to defend their interests, gains and beliefs.ââ¬Â
He said, in answer to a question in English, that Saudi Arabia was ââ¬Åagainst any nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction in the whole region, including Israelââ¬Â.
The Saudi intelligence chief called for a timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq, warning their presence was breeding terrorists.
ââ¬ÅThere is no question that the continuation of the foreign presence, including in Iraq, will give a push for instability and mainly contribute to create more terrorists,ââ¬Â he told the conference.
He added: ââ¬ÅI donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢s the right time for the Americans to leave now, but there should be a timeframe.ââ¬Â
The prince, who rarely make public appearances, said Saudi Arabia was taking ââ¬Åvery seriouslyââ¬Â the risks of the violence in Iraq spilling over into other regional countries.
ââ¬ÅThis may affect security and stability in the other Gulf countries,ââ¬Â Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s chief of general intelligence warned.
ââ¬ÅMy government is doing its utmost in coordinating with the Iraqi government, with the American forces ... to prevent (militant) Saudis from crossingââ¬Â into Iraq, he said. ââ¬ÅWe are spending a lot of money.ââ¬Â afp
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\12\10\story_10-12-2006_pg4_1
ââ¬ËIsrael provoked nuclear weapon race in Gulfââ¬â¢
* Saudi intelligence chief wants US pullout timetable for Iraq
MANAMA: Israelââ¬â¢s reputed nuclear arms arsenal has provoked an atomic weapons race in the Middle East, a senior Saudi official said Friday in apparent reference to Iran.
ââ¬ÅThe fact that Israel has nuclear arms constitutes the most dangerous strategic threat for the security of the Gulf in the short and medium terms,ââ¬Â said the Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz.
ââ¬ÅThis has led certain countries in the region to take part in the contest for nuclear arms, as we are now seeing,ââ¬Â he said in a speech to a Gulf security conference in Manama, without naming Iran.
The West suspects the Islamic republic is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge denied by Tehran.
The Jewish state is widely considered to be the Middle Eastââ¬â¢s sole nuclear armed power, but has never confirmed or denied the suspicions, and continues to campaign against arch-foe Iranââ¬â¢s nuclear programme.
ââ¬ÅThe spread of weapons of mass destruction in the region will make the security issues more complicated in the whole region,ââ¬Â Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s chief of general intelligence warned.
ââ¬ÅIt will rather give the right for the countries in the region to adopt policies and to make alliances with the countries (which possess) nuclear technology,ââ¬Â said the prince, whose speech was translated from the Arabic.
ââ¬ÅIt will also stimulate moderate countries in the region which adopt policies to eliminate weapons of mass destruction to (have) nuclear programmes, whether concealed or declared, aimed at creating military balance in the region in order to defend their interests, gains and beliefs.ââ¬Â
He said, in answer to a question in English, that Saudi Arabia was ââ¬Åagainst any nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction in the whole region, including Israelââ¬Â.
The Saudi intelligence chief called for a timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq, warning their presence was breeding terrorists.
ââ¬ÅThere is no question that the continuation of the foreign presence, including in Iraq, will give a push for instability and mainly contribute to create more terrorists,ââ¬Â he told the conference.
He added: ââ¬ÅI donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢s the right time for the Americans to leave now, but there should be a timeframe.ââ¬Â
The prince, who rarely make public appearances, said Saudi Arabia was taking ââ¬Åvery seriouslyââ¬Â the risks of the violence in Iraq spilling over into other regional countries.
ââ¬ÅThis may affect security and stability in the other Gulf countries,ââ¬Â Saudi Arabiaââ¬â¢s chief of general intelligence warned.
ââ¬ÅMy government is doing its utmost in coordinating with the Iraqi government, with the American forces ... to prevent (militant) Saudis from crossingââ¬Â into Iraq, he said. ââ¬ÅWe are spending a lot of money.ââ¬Â afp
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\12\10\story_10-12-2006_pg4_1
