ZoneAsia-Pk

SINGAPORE 13 SEPTEMBER 2012

1. The undersigned members of the Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN) have agreed on the following statement expressing concern about the loss of momentum in efforts to achieve a nuclear weapons free world, and the compelling need – in today’s uncertain strategic environment – for renewed focus, energy and political will to be applied to both non-proliferation and disarmament by regional and world political leaders.

Leading Israeli figures including Prime Minister Netenyahu and Defense Minister Barak have once again begun to make loud noises about Iran’s nuclear program and the inevitability of an Israeli strike against Iran to destroy its capacity to enrich uranium. Whether the Israelis are serious this time or merely crying wolf as usual is anyone’s guess. However, it is clear that the politics surrounding Iran’s nuclear enrichment program – totally civilian according to Tehran, ambiguous according to the IAEA, and military according to Israel and the United States – is getting “curiouser and curiouser” to the extent that it has almost begun to resemble Alice’s experience in Wonderland. This is the case for a number of reasons.

TV reporter adds: ‘I doubt Obama could say anything that would convince PM to delay a possible attack’

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is determined to attack Iran before the US elections,” Israel’s Channel 10 News claimed on Monday night, and Israel is now “closer than ever” to a strike designed to thwart Iran’s nuclear drive.