Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Gulf States Conference Starts in Doha

Doha, March 21 (QNA) - The works of "The Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Gulf states" conference started at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFSQ) here on Wednesday. A high profile figures as Brig. (Pilot) Gen. Nasser Mohammed Al Ali, Chairman of Qatar s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW), and former Director- General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Hans Blakes attended the conference. Addressing the initial session, NCPW Chairman said the conference reflects the regional and global fears of nuclear weapons proliferation pointing to the exclusive side of the conference as being jointly sponsored by the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) and Qatar, which emphasizes the importance of cooperation and integration in the framework of the Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT). NCPW Chairman added that Qatar has joined the NPT, established a special center for non proliferation of nuclear weapons and achieved efficient efforts for the prosperity of humanity voicing his hopes the conference would highlight such a crucial point. Stressing the importance of the NPT as a tool for achieving peace and security, Brig. (Pilot) Gen. Nasser Mohammed Al Ali further said that by tackling this point it could be determined how we look forward to a major participation of experts and the extent of their contribution which in turn will help enrich the conference's activities and will highlight the activities of the NPT. Meanwhile former Director- General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Hans Blakes said that no region is seeing a "hot debate" over the nonp-roliferation of nuclear weapons issue more than the Gulf region. This region , the gulf region, is the most one fearing the sequels of nuclear weapon non- proliferation failure, besides the urging desire of its states to go in the direction of building new nuclear reactors to fill up the increasing demands on the electric power and seawater desalination, he added. Blakes made clear that Qatar's name is globally related to the freedom of discussions which are expected from the numerous distinguished experts during the debates of the conference. Referring to the upcoming Seoul Nuclear Security Summit due to be held in Korea next week, Blakes said some would perceive that it is linked to keeping the world away from the risks of "some grams or Kilograms perhaps" of enriched Uranium or plutonium falling in the hands of some terrorists or smugglers, while the states possessing the major nuclear stocks are unable to work off the excess tons of these materials that surpass their arming needs. Affirming that the nuclear security issue is a broad dangerous one, he said " we shouldn't disregard the scenarios of risk if some terrorists were able to acquire nuclear materials to build a "dirty" bomb or raw tools of bombing. Referring to a possible military attack against Iran, he said that despite our due care to ensure the safety of the nuclear constructions and the transportation facilities to avoid any terroristic acts, any possible armed attacks of some countries against nuclear constructions should be taken in consideration. In the middle of the intense controversy around bombing certain targets in Iran, no reference was made to the Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the article 54 of the 1977 protocol that prohibits attacking nuclear power plants if such attacks will endanger the a vast majority of Civilians. The former Director- General of IAEA further said that building new nuclear reactors in the Gulf region is a part of a broader advance towards the nuclear power which aroused in it the fears of some that any more use of nuclear materials may lead to increasing the risks of nuclear weapon proliferation. Blakes pointed that the whole world now is recently focusing on the worries towards Northern Korea and Iran not due to what is known as the Light Water Nuclear Reactors but due to the Uranium enrichment, and the reprocessing power plants which could result in troubles. Countries, not acquiring nuclear weapons and being -at the same time- a member of the NPT, are prohibited from both acquiring nuclear bombs and nuclear capabilities and are willing to be inspected, he clarified. Blakes said that Northern Korea and Iran, being the two countries insisting to acquire nuclear fuel cycle reactors, aroused problems that are pending to be solved and are the main worries of the Middle East under the Israeli intimidations to strike Iran's nuclear buildings and their resulting consequences. Blakes believed that stopping Iran form producing nuclear weapons is considered crucial to the US and Israel, however he said " what is going on now doesn't show that the US is keen on entering a third war in the Middle East region, unless it, the US, and other states are pulled by Israel to enter such a conflict." Addressing the same session, BASIC's executive director, Paul Ingram confirmed the importance of the NPT in the gulf region and Iran, considering the different stances towards supporting the nuclear programs, which affects the conditions of the region in itself . Paul Ingram added that many believe, the time has come to discuss this issue, which requires an extensive research within the region and outside it in a bid to find a situation that is in favor of all sides including Iran. (QNA)