IAEA Warns Of Lack Of Funds
By Steve Hynd Monday Sep 29, 2008 7:30am
The International Atomic Energy Agency's head, Mohammed el-Baradei, has warned that the Agency faces an increasingly uphill struggle in its essential non-proliferation role due to a measly budget.
Opening the IAEA's annual assembly, Mohamed ElBaradei called for urgent steps to increase funding of the U.N. watchdog, modernise equipment and enhance its legal authority to verify the nature of nuclear programmes in suspect countries.
"We have really reached a turning point. Years of zero (real) growth budgets have left us with a failing infrastructure and a troubling dependence on voluntary support which invariably has conditions attached," he said.
"This is not just about money. We do not work in a political vacuum. Political commitment to the goals of the agency needs to be renewed at the highest level," ElBaradei told the IAEA's General Conference at its Vienna headquarters.
"It would be a tragedy of epic proportions if we fail to act (for lack of resources) until after a nuclear conflagration, accident or terrorist attack that could have been prevented."
The IAEA's budget, which at present stands at only 340 million euros ($490 million), must stretch to cover investigations of places like Iran, Syria (and soon maybe Israel -it's on the Agency's agenda finally), inspections in dozens of countries, testing, education programs and safeguard monitoring. El Baradei says that the Agency's work is presently "seriously compromised" by the lack of money.
Yet this might be OK with some nations, who apparently want the Agency hamstrung because they are consistently late in sending their contributions. Last July, the Agency warned that if some member nations didn't pay up quickly, it would be broke by September. In 2006, the Bush administration still owed the IAEA over a third of it's contribution, over $14 million. Enough money always does eventually come in to keep it operating, but there are suspicions that the money comes with strings attached, forwarding those nation's agendas in return.
Everyone says the IAEA is essential, but no-one wants to put their money where their mouth is. Maybe Obama should. It would be a good contrast to Republican zeal for bypassing arms control agreements and waving sabers at every opportunity.
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wheres the beef
What will the IAEA do with information that all these countries, including Israel, have developed nuclear weapons in violation of the NPT? The US has continued to proliferate its arsenal of nuclear weapons in violation of the NPT, too. Will these countries be penalized? What penalties are set forth in the treaty? If countires don't suffer consequences for the violations, what's the use of the agency?
Oh...let's just blow up the planet and be done with it already.
Of course if the Bush administration really gave a damn about nuclear non-proliferation... I wonder how many billions we've already spent preparing the battlefield against Iran?
Here's an idea. have Cheney dig 14 Million Dollars out of the operating budgets of three or four or six or eight of the MILITARY CONTRACTORS who are stealing BILLIONS from US TAXPAYERS.
Let's just say it's a CORPORATE CHARITABLE DONATION.
Here's another idea.. What about the USA paying the UN the arrears we've owed them for years?
Seriously. It's a disgrace. Every f-ing nation in the world, or at least all the first-world ones, pay their dues. Yet the 'richest nation in the world' doesn't. Despite (or well, actually due to) the fact that we bitch more about the UN than anyone else.
They're going to investigate Israel ? .... kiss goodbye to that budget increase then : (
WHERE THE HELL IS CHENEY? When was the last time he was seen in public. Is he in his sealed bunker orchestrating Armageddon as his last hurrah? Bomb Iran, might as well go all the way to Syria.
Who needs the IAEA? I mean, We All Know Mahmoud Ahmuhduhmanuhdumdediddlydumdiddydowahdiddy has A Substantial Nuclear Weapons Program.
Just like Saddam had yellowcake, aluminum tubes, and stockpiles of WMDs.
anney @ 2:
The IAEA will report that back to the United Nations.
The treaty does not set forth penalties. Most treaties don't. If you break a treaty, you break a treaty. The rest depends on the treaty and what international law says. If you break the NPT, you can expect it to land on the table of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. The outcome depends on the situation and who your allies are. Sanctions are a likely outcome. Even military action is possible.
Note, though, that the bad guys we actually KNOW to be violating the NPT are not signatories of it. Notably Israel and North Korea.
You don't know what the IAEA does, apparently. They monitor nuclear facilities in order to ensure safety, keep nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists and others and make sure the NPT is being followed. They are not the judge, jury and executioner. They aren't even a police force. They're a Neighborhood Watch who has the job of calling the police if they see something suspicious.
I just tried emailing Pete King, my representative in the House. The House of Representative email is totally jammed up. Seems everyone in the country is writing their reps this morning. Personally, I think this is a good thing. The people are rising up. I just wonder what everyone is saying. BTW, I had no trouble getting through to my senator's email accounts.
Maybe Obama... Maybe Obama...
Truly the rallying cry for the delusional in the 21st century.
Haven't his capitulations to the system taught you anything by now?
'Iran is getting nukes!'
'We must support the bail out!'
'It's only the 4th Amendment'
'Immunity for executives? Sure I'll sign that.'
Israel's illegal arsenal is finally being targeted for investigation?
The IAEA showed that Iran was not the threat the US falsely claimed it was?
Small wonder the US isn't coughing up its fair share.
Useless thread. Put up the thread showing Chimpy whining like a little bitch that he didn't get his way, and totally panicked that all of this has been wrought by his Party and by him.
Oh, and Scarborough needed medication this morning. What an asshat.
I"m getting the feeling this war on terror thing is a big hoax. No funding for IAEA, No unit looking for Bin Laden, No border protection, Etc. I hope some more investigative journalists get on this story!!! Thanks Cernig.
Welcome to hard times IAEA,tighten your belts like the rest of us. Bush asked Cheney for a 700b loan, and cheney said: "Screw you, I've got mine."
Alexdem @ 10:
Well, I did not know that.
Thanks for the explanation.
John @ 12:
Sure. It's taught me that our only hope is to put our faith in a third party candidate who won't even get a fraction of the votes necessary to effect real change. Or something like that. I'm so confused.
Chopvac @ 13:
Targeted for discussion more like it. Certainly the IAEA would love to investigate and fully inspect Israel's nuclear goings-on. But Israel doesn't let them in. I think what's going on is that the rest of the world including our allies are getting damn fed up with it, in particular since Israel is naturally pushing hard for more IAEA inspections in Iran.
Yeah.. Most of the world listens to that kind of stuff. So the US-of-A makes a point not to. Making stuff up is much easier,
including making stuff up about what the IAEA thinks.
President Bush, September 7, 2002:
No such IAEA report ever existed. (Unless he meant one that claimed Iraq was 6-24 months away prior to 1991.)
Liberal AND Proud,
Thanks. I love you too. Chimpy whining and Scar on meds eh? Style over substance.
Who exactly do you think provided the contrary voice of hard evidence that prevented Bush bombing Iran years ago? That the IAEA is being starved to death is something we should all be concerned about, because without it all we have are the say-so of individual governments that they have a just nuclear threat as cause for war.
Alexdem gets it.
Regards, C
"It's hard to tell someone to stop smoking when you have a cigarette dangling from your lip" - Mohammed el-Baradei
Orangutan @15,
You're very welcome.
Regards, C
Would you shut your (expletive) mouth? God's not going to help you; you need to do something for yourself, you sniveling ...
anney @ 2:
Israel,Pakistan,India and North Korea have not signed the NPT and are not bound by its' strictures.
The way this economy is going, the IAEA should just stand in line. We're about to go into Third World status due to Bush's mismanagement, stupidity and hubris.
Let's hope that some of that $620 billion Federal Reserve money floats their way. No? It's not? Well then, we know what Bush's priorities are: His buddies, his allies, his cronies.
He doesn't give a damn about this. He's in the middle of the extortion of the century.
L.A. Confidential @ 22:
I was talking to el-Baradei.
The Very Bitter Ceci Hussein @ 24:
About to?
L.A. Confidential @ 26:
I rarely find myself doing this, but I agree with you. We're already at the depths of hell in a handbasket.
The Very Bitter Ceci Hussein @ 28:
Bush Banana Repbublic
But we will continue to preach to the poor about all the great things you can do if your already rich.
Come on Coffee KICK IN DAMN IT!
Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, my friends all drove Porchessssssssssssssssssss
Boomer Legacy
Ahh, if only $700B would buy the US back the respect it has lost worldwide under ShrubCo...
Chopvac @ 13:
Exactly why would the nuclear arsenal that Israel has never admitted to having be illegal?What law are you talking about? Oh and the last NIE agreed with the IAEA's assessment.
Let's ask the taxpayer if they like their money going to international organizations that are in thrall to the NeoCons and the Globalists.
Or are you scared?
Peter G @ 34:
Exactly why would the nuclear arsenal that Iran has never admitted to having be illegal?What law are you talking about?
[Fixed it for you]
King of Kings @ 35:
The IAEA is in thrall to the NeoCons?
Does a chicken have lips?
King of Kings @ 35:
I would have thought that the King of Kings might be a little better informed but clearly not. There is no love lost between the Bushies and the IAEA. They tired to get rid of Al Baradei precisely because he wasn't sufficiently malleable. The organization is highly respected in the international community.
Travis @ 36:
They signed the NPT Israel didn't.
Peter G @ 34:
Check this out: http://www.counterpunch.org/goodman08182004.html
Peter G @ 39:
OK. So all Iran has to do is withdraw from the treaty. Problem solved.
Hang in there until the end of January, Mo.
Travis@37
Does a chicken have lips?
No but it doesn't stop them putting lipstick on it.
Travis @ 41:
Yup. That about covers it as far as legality goes.
great post.
Israel has refused to sign onto the Non Proliferation treaty from the very beginning. All the while Israel demands that Iraq, Iran and other nations abide by the NPT agreement. This is one of the issues that drives many nations in the middle east crazy. Israel's continuous threat to peace in the middle east.
There should be pressure on Israel, Pakistan and India to sign the Non Proliferation Treaty.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/STE203A.html
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM ON ISRAELI NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES AND
THREAT SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBER STATES IN THE
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES
http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/59c118f065c4465b852572a500625fea/a5c0a50b3758f94185256dbe00669749!OpenDocument
LOOK AT THIS SITUATION FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.mediamonitors.net/michaelsladah&suleimaniajlouni1.html
Israel in violation of more UN resolutions than any other nation
Mr. President, we have cited just a few Security Council resolutions that pertain to Israel. Space and your indulgence do not permit us to cite, in this short letter, the volumes of the other resolutions that have been ignored or brazenly violated by Israel. Therefore, we have compiled in the attached document a list of the UN Security Council resolutions which Israel has violated and/or continues to violate. If Israel’s actions in response to these resolutions do not "flaunt the will of the world community of nations," we do not know what would. And if Israel’s actions do not qualify it as a "rouge state" then reasonable, informed citizens of this great nation, and the entire community of nations, are left to reach the unavoidable conclusion that our government continues to apply very different standards for Israel and for all other nations. Just as no man is above our domestic laws, no state should be left to disregard well-established principles of international law. The acquisition of territory by force and the use of torture are just two clear examples of the shameful records shared by Iraq and Israel.
UN Resolutions that were being violated at the time Iraq was being called out for ignoring UN Resolutions
http://www.mediamonitors.net/michaelsladah&suleimaniajlouni1.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE LAST PRESIDENT TO DEMAND THAT ISRAEL SIGN ON FOR IAEA INSPECTIONS WAS PRESIDENT JOHN KENNEDY. After Kennedy's death there has not been one President who has demanded that Israel play by the same rules that they demand their neighbors play by.
Peter G @ 39:
Korea signed the NPT, too, and suffered no consequences for violating it. Neither has the US for ratcheting up its nuclear weapons program and developing new ones.
So we all need to face it -- there are no stern consequences for signatories OR non-signatories to the NPT for developing nuclear weapons no matter what the IAEA does.
Furthermore, the IAEA has fallen down on the job as far as safety monitoring is concerned. The Three-Mile Island half-core melt in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 come to mind. (I watched "The China Syndrome" a few months prior to the Three-Mile Island incident and had a feeling of deja vu.)
For the IAEA to be a successful agency at fulfilling its mission, there must be international cooperation, and that is only a dream.
tree @ 11:
It might be worth writing a letter as well. I hear a hard copy letter (especially when part of a large sack of mail) has even bigger impact.
anney @ 46:
Actually I think they do a pretty respectable job at their principle mission which is keeping an eye on potential nuclear weapons programs. North Korea technically opted out of the NPT after acceding to it and legally they had a right to do so. Three months notice is all that's required and no questions asked.
Kathleen @ 45:
The real truth is that Israel, with it's nuclear weapons program AND unequivocal backing (military & financial aid) from the USA, is the most aggressive imperial military power in the Middle East. It is beyond my comprehension why the USA government has for so long unilaterally supported Israeli interests over those of the USA. (Couldn't have anything to do with the huge amount of money that the Israeli lobbyists have used to buy off our politicians, could it? Or explain, to a great extent where that $1.2 Trillion went that SecDef Rumsfeld reported missing on 10 September 2001? Or explain why the Zionist-controlled Defense Policy Board was allowed to fabricate the intel that took the USA to war in Iraq? Or the reason why it is now so urgent that, without further thoughtful consideration, the USA taxpayers are expected to bail out Wall Street investment bankers to the tune of $1 Trillion+?)
I am old enough to remember the 1967 war between Israel and it's neighbors. I also remember that the USS Liberty, in clear daylight weather, was repeatedly attacked by Israeli aircraft. I can also remember that the USA traitor Jonathan Pollard spied for Israel, who revealed that classified data to other foreign governments. I also remember that Israel considers Pollard a national hero, and has repeatedly requested the USA government to release him from prison and allow him to emigrate to Israel.
Israel is an ally, not a friend. Alliances between nations come and go, depending upon individual national self-interests. Unfortunately, Israel and the powerful Israeli lobby within the USA has so permeated the USA government -- Congress, the Pentagon, State Department, etcetera, that it will take nothing short of a cataclysm or revolution in this country for the People of the USA to take our government back. One need only look at the current crop of candidates for President, Democrat and Republican, who are falling all over themselves fawning the Israeli lobby. Israel decides the USA's foreign policy in the Middle East, from invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan to belligerence against Syria and Iran.
Travis @ 41:
Far better for Israel to sign on.
I wonder how open Israel will be to intrusive inspections for WMDs. Will they be as belligerent as Iraq & Iran?
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