International   

Nuclear weapons a threat to mankind's survival: ElBaradei

Nobel Committee wants peril eliminated through broad international cooperation

OSLO: Nuclear watchdog agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei warned on Saturday in accepting the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize that humanity faces a choice between nuclear weapons and survival.

He shared the coveted award with his International Atomic Energy Agency — cited for their drive to control the spread of nuclear weapons, especially to terrorists.

``I have no doubt that if we hope to escape self-destruction, then nuclear weapons should have no place in our collective conscience, and no role in our security,'' Mr. ElBaradei said in a text of his speech released in advance.

"Historical anomaly"

``The hard part is: How do we create an environment in which nuclear weapons — like slavery or genocide — are regarded as a taboo and a historical anomaly?'' he said in thanking the Nobel Committee for the honour.

The 63-year-old Egyptian and the IAEA's Board of Governors Chairman Yukiya Aman, from Japan, accepted the award on the 60th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Six decades later and 15 years after the end of the Cold War, the threat of nuclear nightmare remains strong, Mr. ElBaradei said. The world community is deeply concerned about possible atomic weapons programmes in Iran and North Korea, and terrorists' increasingly sophisticated efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.

They received the prize, which consists of a Nobel diploma, a gold medal and 10 million Swedish kronor to be split between them, from the chairman of the Nobel Committee Ole Mjoes at a formal ceremony in Oslo's City Hall.

``At a time when the threat of nuclear arms is again increasing, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to underline that this threat must be met through the broadest possible international cooperation,'' Mr. Mjoes said.

Focus on Iran

The IAEA was founded in 1957 to promote civilian use of nuclear energy and at the same time work to eliminate the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Mr. ElBaradei on Friday said the international community was losing patience with Iran over its nuclear programme, which Teheran insists is merely designed to meet domestic energy needs, but cautioned against using military action.

``I don't believe there is a military solution to the issue,'' he said.

Meanwhile, at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, ten scientists were scheduled to get their Nobel prizes from Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf.

AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Draft formula for East Asia summit
Rajapakse for separating roles of facilitator and monitor
Police may face charges in Menezes case
How plane spotters turned into the scourge of the CIA
Nuclear weapons a threat to mankind's survival: ElBaradei
Sonia should resign: Swamy

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu