UN atomic watchdog chief to meet Israeli ministers ahead of key nuclear gatherings
By Matti Friedman, APTuesday, August 24, 2010
UN nuke watchdog chief to meet Israeli ministers
JERUSALEM — Israeli officials say the U.N.’s atomic watchdog chief will meet key Israel ministers in a visit ahead of important international gatherings on nuclear power next month.
Israel refuses to confirm it possesses a nuclear arsenal, but is widely considered a nuclear power.
That makes the country a hot topic for the International Atomic Energy Agency as Arab nations push for more scrutiny of Israel’s nuclear capability.
Israeli officials say Yukiya Amano is to hold talks with Cabinet ministers in charge of atomic energy and strategic affairs. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Amano’s schedule was not officially announced.
In Vienna, IAEA spokesman Ayhan Evrensel said Tuesday that Amano would “exchange views on issues of mutual interest” while in Israel.
