Israeli President Warns Of Iran's Nuclear Push
By VOA News
04 May 2009
Israeli President Shimon Peres says that Iran's nuclear activities threaten the United States, Europe and Arab nations, as well as Israel.
Mr. Peres spoke Monday to the annual convention of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, the chief pro-Israeli lobby in Washington. He said the Iranian government has also invested heavily in long-range missile development even though, he said, Iran is not threatened by any enemies.
Last month, Mr. Peres indicated Israel would be willing to launch military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites if international efforts to stop its disputed nuclear activities fail. He later retracted the comments, saying there is no military solution.
Mr. Peres Monday also sought to reassure his audience that right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants peace with the Palestinians. But Mr. Peres did not mention proposals for creating a Palestinian state. Mr. Netanyahu is set to address AIPAC later Monday.
Palestinian statehood has been the centerpiece of U.S. mediation efforts in the Middle East for most of the past decade.
Mr. Peres meets with President Barack Obama Tuesday. He has endorsed the American leader's overtures to Islamic governments, but has also warned of what he says is the global proliferation of Islamic extremist groups.
Iran says its nuclear program is only for civilian use and that it has a right to develop such technology. The United Nations - prompted by the concerns of the U.S., European nations and others - has imposed three sets of sanctions on Iran because of the program.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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