Conference on Disarmament:  Arab, Islamic Nations to Snub Israel-Led Talks

Several Arab and Islamic countries have decided to sit out U.N.-sponsored talks on disarmament because Israel has assumed the conference’s presidency, according to a report in today’s Washington Times (see GSN, May 21).

Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Alborzi, who serves as coordinator of delegates to the talks from member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, sent a letter to conference participants Friday noting that OIC nations would not participate as long as Israel chairs the meeting, the Times reported.  Israel, which is not a part of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, will hold the post for one month.

“It was a fairly low-key protest.  They could have made more noise,” said a Western ambassador who claimed the OIC’s action was merely symbolic (John Zarocostas, Washington Times, May 29).

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