Jordan denies Israeli nuclear assistance

The Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission denied reports published by the Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” stating Israel were helping Jordan locate the best site to establish an atomic reactor. Media spokesman of the Commission, Fayez Abu Qaoud, said: “These statements are completely false and unfounded.” Abu Qaoud also added: “The Israeli statement came after the Jordanian King’s last interview with French news agency AFP where he revealed that Israel is working on blocking the Jordanian peaceful nuclear programme.” He pointed out that the King’s statement internationally embarrassed Israeli, especially as it happened days before the annual General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. Abu Qaoud said that Israel has been against any Arab country having peaceful nuclear energy for decades as it desires to be the only country in the region monopolising this technology. He explained that Israel’s stance is well known when it comes to any Arab country possessing this technology - even it is for peaceful use - as well as its stance regarding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He said: “We are used to Israel’s falsification of facts, mixing papers and raising suspicions. This is exactly what happened with Jordanian’s peaceful nuclear profile, but their tricks do not deceive anyone anymore.”