Nuke programme 'threatens west'
23/04/2006 14:16  - (SA)  

Nuclear enrichment 'irreversible'

Jerusalem - Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday urged the international community to work against the Iranian nuclear programme, saying Tehran's ambitions threaten not only Israel but all of Western civilization.

Israel has long identified Iran as its biggest threat, and these concerns have grown amid repeated calls by Iran's hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for Israel's destruction.

"The Iranian nuclear programme should concern many countries, especially those with global responsibility," Olmert told his cabinet. He said the international front against Iran should include the United States, Europe and other Western countries.

Iran this month announced it enriched uranium for the first time, a process that can be used to build atomic weapons as well as for electricity generation.

Iran on Sunday said its nuclear programme is irreversible, rejecting a UN Security Council deadline to end the enrichment.

The US, Israel and some Western allies charge Iran is using the programme as a cover for weapons production. Iran says it is designed only for power generation.

Israel also accuses Iran of supporting Palestinian militant groups.

What is this?    Yahoo    Digg  Del.icio.us  Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance News24 on mobile News24 on facebook profile