5/5/2010Iraq urges UNSC, once again, to lift restrictions on scientific research
UNITED NATIONS, May 5 (KUNA) -- Iraq took advantage of the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to call on the Security Council, once again, to lift restrictions on its scientific and technological research programmes now that it has complied with all resolutions related to disarmament.
Addressing the Conference on its third day, the head of the Iraqi delegation Mohammad Al-Humaimidi said the meeting is being held at a "crucial time for Iraq" as it exerts its efforts with the Security Council to review the remaining restrictions previously imposed on Iraq in the area of disarmament.
Those restrictions and other sanctions were imposed on Iraq in August 1990 as a punishment of invading neighbouring Kuwait.
Iraq, he urged, "expects the Security Council to act positively" especially after the IAEA asserted Baghdad's excellent cooperation and recommended the adoption of a resolution lifting those restrictions.
He said Iraq has confirmed its commitment to the conventions and treaties on disarmament and non proliferation following the "harsh experience" of the Iraqi people under the former regime.
The new Iraq, he stressed, has adopted the policy of "permanently discarding the heavy legacy" left by the previous regime which obtained and used weapons of mass destruction leading to the "destruction and devastation of the country and its people, and loss of wealth".
Al-Humaimidi expressed regret that despite Iraq's efforts to get rid of its weapons of mass destruction, "there are still some constraints that prevent Iraq from benefiting from scientific and technological progress which limit Iraq's potential to be an active member of the international community".
In an indirect reference to the Iranian nuclear programme, he said the NPT guarantees the right to all member states to conduct research and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
However, he argued, in addressing the dual-use nature of nuclear energy, "permanent arrangements should be adopted to reconcile the right for peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the need for non-proliferation".
On the case of Israel, he said failing to implement the 1995 resolution calling for the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free-zone in the Middle East "would perpetuate instability and tension in the region".
UNITED NATIONS, May 5 (KUNA) -- Iraq took advantage of the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to call on the Security Council, once again, to lift restrictions on its scientific and technological research programmes now that it has complied with all resolutions related to disarmament.
Addressing the Conference on its third day, the head of the Iraqi delegation Mohammad Al-Humaimidi said the meeting is being held at a "crucial time for Iraq" as it exerts its efforts with the Security Council to review the remaining restrictions previously imposed on Iraq in the area of disarmament.
Those restrictions and other sanctions were imposed on Iraq in August 1990 as a punishment of invading neighbouring Kuwait.
Iraq, he urged, "expects the Security Council to act positively" especially after the IAEA asserted Baghdad's excellent cooperation and recommended the adoption of a resolution lifting those restrictions.
He said Iraq has confirmed its commitment to the conventions and treaties on disarmament and non proliferation following the "harsh experience" of the Iraqi people under the former regime.
The new Iraq, he stressed, has adopted the policy of "permanently discarding the heavy legacy" left by the previous regime which obtained and used weapons of mass destruction leading to the "destruction and devastation of the country and its people, and loss of wealth".
Al-Humaimidi expressed regret that despite Iraq's efforts to get rid of its weapons of mass destruction, "there are still some constraints that prevent Iraq from benefiting from scientific and technological progress which limit Iraq's potential to be an active member of the international community".
In an indirect reference to the Iranian nuclear programme, he said the NPT guarantees the right to all member states to conduct research and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
However, he argued, in addressing the dual-use nature of nuclear energy, "permanent arrangements should be adopted to reconcile the right for peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the need for non-proliferation".
On the case of Israel, he said failing to implement the 1995 resolution calling for the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free-zone in the Middle East "would perpetuate instability and tension in the region".
related articles ~
