‘Create nuclear-free zone’

Manama : Bahrain yesterday urged to establish a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons, in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf region, stressing the right of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear power.

The statement came during a speech delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa on behalf of Bahrain at the 71st UN General Assembly Session.

“Nuclear power was created to serve human beings, not to harm them or to be used as a lethal weapon to obliterate cities and kill millions of innocent people,” he said.

“Development goes hand in hand with the security of the citizen and the society at large,” Shaikh Khalid said, adding that it could neither be achieved in separation from the other or without a stable and secure state.

Urging to commit without hesitation to cut off the sources of financing, the minister said, “We are capable, if united regionally and internationally, of addressing challenges, particularly terrorism.”

He asserted that anti-terrorist steps would not be effective through laws that contravene the UN Charter, such as the step taken by the American Congress in passing the “Justice Against the Sponsors of Terrorism Act” that jeopardises international ties.

Shaikh Khalid pointed out that such measures constitute a dangerous precedent in ties between nations, and a threat to the stability of the international system, which in turn adversely affects efforts to combat terrorism.

He added that concerning Iran, the GCC and other Arab countries have spared no effort to build the best possible relations on the basis of good neighbourliness and respect for the sovereignty of states. 

“We did not hesitate an instant to build bridges and improve relations with it (Iran). However, all these efforts were met with no serious response from Iran, and always ended either in an impasse or by the fabrication of new crises to return us to square one,” he pointed out.

The Minister added that in the last such incident, the Iranian officials made false allegations against Saudi Arabia, which plays a remarkable role in hosting huge numbers of pilgrims, and assumes responsibility for their safety and protection with great efficiency during the Hajj and Umraa. 

“No one can deny or belittle their efforts,” the Minister said.

Shaikh Khalid added that the GCC nations still face Iran’s attempts to jeopardise their social peace through support provided to groups  under its authority such as the terrorist Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

He explained how Iran is still occupying the three Emarati islands in the Arabian Gulf and refusing mediation for a peaceful settlement. 

“The situation is clear and there is no way that it will change if Iran does not change its foreign policies,” the Minister said.

Shaikh Khalid concluded by saying that the Kingdom of Bahrain is eager to embrace the love and peace of the world and all its peoples.