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Dr. Vanunu

Answer

The Government take appropriate opportunities to discuss all aspects of non-proliferation with representatives of the Israeli Government. We have, on a number of occasions, called on Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, and to conclude a full scope safeguards agreement and Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency.The United Kingdom strongly supports the establishment of a zone free from all Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, including through the EU Barcelona Process. The Barcelona Declaration of 1995 includes a call on all states in the region to pursue a mutually and effectively verifiable Middle East Zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised the restrictions on Mr. Vanunu on 6 September 2005 to note our concern that the restrictions imposed on Mr. Vanunu had been extended. My noble Friend the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister responsible for our relations with the Middle East, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, initially raised our concerns about the restrictions imposed upon Mr. Vanunu with the Israeli Charge following his release in April 2004. We recognise that Israel has a right to protect its national security but we are concerned that the restrictions may be excessive. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv have since been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the decision to extend the length of time these restrictions will apply for Mr. Vanunu.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

41927; 441 c1431-2W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Nuclear weapons Israel Vanunu, Mordechai

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk