NOT MERELY A SLIP OF LIPS
Imran Khan
December 15, 2006
On Monday the 11th December, 2006 in an interview on Germen Television, the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert apparently listed his country among the world’s nuclear powers. In a reply to a question about Iran, He said “Iran openly, explicitly and publicly threatens to wipe Israel out of the map,” and “can you say that this is the same level, when you are aspiring to have nuclear weapons, as America, France, Israel, Russia?”
Though his office denied that statement did not mean any acceptance of nuclear Israel and quote was taken out of context. On Tuesday the 12th December, 2006 in a press conference at Berlin, Mr. Olmert repeated the old strategy that Israel will not be the first country to use atomic weapons. He said “ Israel has said many thing….we will not be the first country that introduces nuclear weapons to the Middle East…..that was our position, that is our position. Nothing has changed”.
Israel officially has long declined to confirm or deny having the nuclear weapons as a part of ambiguity Strategy. Though unofficially Israel’s nuclear history is not so ambiguous and has been leaked many a times. Independent experts believe that Israel has around 200 sophisticated nuclear weapons.
The recent indirect acceptance of nuclear bombs was not only from Israeli Premier. The first open acknowledgment was from Incoming U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, when he told a Senate committee on Thursday the 7th December, 2006 that Israel has nuclear weapons. He said "They are surrounded by powers with nuclear weapons - Pakistan to their east, the Russians to the north, the Israelis to the west and us in the Persian Gulf,"
What could be the real motives to give such statements openly on the issue which was held under secret covers from the world for decades?
Israeli leadership has shown dissatisfaction on the efforts of the world community to halt Iranian nuclear program. Many inflammatory remarks have been exchanged between the two countries. Iranian president has called Israel to be wiped out of the map. Shimon Pares, deputy Prime Minister of Israel, replied in same language that Iran can also be wiped out of the map. Israeli leadership is trying their best to convince the world about dangerous consequence if Iran becomes a nuclear power. These efforts so far have not been as fruitful as Israel would have hoped for. In February 2006 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on suspicions referred Iran’s nuclear issue to the United Nation’s Security Council. Still there is no consensus among 5 permanent members (USA, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China) of Security Council to how to resolve the issue. Resistance is mainly from Russia and China to enforce any sections against Iran. Israeli camp is more frustrated as the matter is taking a long time. The tone of Iranian leadership is still same as it was against Israel. In a latest move Iran has hosted a holocaust denial conference in Tehran. Mahmud Ahmadinejad the Iranian President, said in the conference "Just as the Soviet Union was wiped out and today does not exist, so will the Zionist regime soon be wiped out. So in hidden-words Israeli premier once again warned Iran that it’s not without weapons of mass destruction. He also tried to remind the world that Israel has shown much patience on Iranian Nuclear issue and Israelis believe that world is not doing enough so they want to show their own strength. Especially to the Russia and China that time is getting out from their hands.
The statement could also be a litmus test to check the reaction of the world if Israel publicly announces the acceptance of Nuclear weapons by changing its old policy. Israel will never give any importance to Arab or Muslim countries’ reaction. Indeed, many voices from Arab countries have already accused US and West of double standards for ignoring the presumed possession of nuclear weapons by Israel while confronting Iran about its apparent desire to obtain nuclear technology. There will be no problem from USA. Since 1960s, the United States has accepted Israel's status as a nuclear power and not pressed it to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Recent statement of incoming US defense secretary clearly indicate the above fact. But Israel would really like to check the reaction from Europe, Russia and China.
There was reaction from European Union and the Finnish EU presidency has called upon Israel to clarify its apparent acknowledgement that it has nuclear weapons. Finnish defense minister Seppo Kaariainen, who was seemingly speaking on behalf of the European Union, has said "I believe Mr. Olmert should further explain what this information really means,…. the EU will watch very closely which reactions the Israeli statement will cause in the region ". Still there is no such reaction from other Western Countries as it is from Arab states. There were no official comments from Russia and China either. So keeping this reaction in mind Israel could change its old policy of nuclear ambiguity.
Whatever the reasons behind, one thing which looks clear that Israeli Premier’s apparent acknowledgement of nuclear weapons was not merely a slip of the lips. United States and Israel are the closest allies since the creation of Israel. United States has always supported Israel in any conditions and both countries’ policies are directly linked. Israeli premier’s statement was the second move after US incoming defense secretary’s acknowledgment. How can two persons at the top level of their respective governments slip their lips together? Obviously it is not the end but a start and apparently there could be new surprises and everyone should be ready to receive them.
Though his office denied that statement did not mean any acceptance of nuclear Israel and quote was taken out of context. On Tuesday the 12th December, 2006 in a press conference at Berlin, Mr. Olmert repeated the old strategy that Israel will not be the first country to use atomic weapons. He said “ Israel has said many thing….we will not be the first country that introduces nuclear weapons to the Middle East…..that was our position, that is our position. Nothing has changed”.
Israel officially has long declined to confirm or deny having the nuclear weapons as a part of ambiguity Strategy. Though unofficially Israel’s nuclear history is not so ambiguous and has been leaked many a times. Independent experts believe that Israel has around 200 sophisticated nuclear weapons.
The recent indirect acceptance of nuclear bombs was not only from Israeli Premier. The first open acknowledgment was from Incoming U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, when he told a Senate committee on Thursday the 7th December, 2006 that Israel has nuclear weapons. He said "They are surrounded by powers with nuclear weapons - Pakistan to their east, the Russians to the north, the Israelis to the west and us in the Persian Gulf,"
What could be the real motives to give such statements openly on the issue which was held under secret covers from the world for decades?
Israeli leadership has shown dissatisfaction on the efforts of the world community to halt Iranian nuclear program. Many inflammatory remarks have been exchanged between the two countries. Iranian president has called Israel to be wiped out of the map. Shimon Pares, deputy Prime Minister of Israel, replied in same language that Iran can also be wiped out of the map. Israeli leadership is trying their best to convince the world about dangerous consequence if Iran becomes a nuclear power. These efforts so far have not been as fruitful as Israel would have hoped for. In February 2006 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on suspicions referred Iran’s nuclear issue to the United Nation’s Security Council. Still there is no consensus among 5 permanent members (USA, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China) of Security Council to how to resolve the issue. Resistance is mainly from Russia and China to enforce any sections against Iran. Israeli camp is more frustrated as the matter is taking a long time. The tone of Iranian leadership is still same as it was against Israel. In a latest move Iran has hosted a holocaust denial conference in Tehran. Mahmud Ahmadinejad the Iranian President, said in the conference "Just as the Soviet Union was wiped out and today does not exist, so will the Zionist regime soon be wiped out. So in hidden-words Israeli premier once again warned Iran that it’s not without weapons of mass destruction. He also tried to remind the world that Israel has shown much patience on Iranian Nuclear issue and Israelis believe that world is not doing enough so they want to show their own strength. Especially to the Russia and China that time is getting out from their hands.
The statement could also be a litmus test to check the reaction of the world if Israel publicly announces the acceptance of Nuclear weapons by changing its old policy. Israel will never give any importance to Arab or Muslim countries’ reaction. Indeed, many voices from Arab countries have already accused US and West of double standards for ignoring the presumed possession of nuclear weapons by Israel while confronting Iran about its apparent desire to obtain nuclear technology. There will be no problem from USA. Since 1960s, the United States has accepted Israel's status as a nuclear power and not pressed it to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Recent statement of incoming US defense secretary clearly indicate the above fact. But Israel would really like to check the reaction from Europe, Russia and China.
There was reaction from European Union and the Finnish EU presidency has called upon Israel to clarify its apparent acknowledgement that it has nuclear weapons. Finnish defense minister Seppo Kaariainen, who was seemingly speaking on behalf of the European Union, has said "I believe Mr. Olmert should further explain what this information really means,…. the EU will watch very closely which reactions the Israeli statement will cause in the region ". Still there is no such reaction from other Western Countries as it is from Arab states. There were no official comments from Russia and China either. So keeping this reaction in mind Israel could change its old policy of nuclear ambiguity.
Whatever the reasons behind, one thing which looks clear that Israeli Premier’s apparent acknowledgement of nuclear weapons was not merely a slip of the lips. United States and Israel are the closest allies since the creation of Israel. United States has always supported Israel in any conditions and both countries’ policies are directly linked. Israeli premier’s statement was the second move after US incoming defense secretary’s acknowledgment. How can two persons at the top level of their respective governments slip their lips together? Obviously it is not the end but a start and apparently there could be new surprises and everyone should be ready to receive them.