US updates Israel on nuclear policy
US under secretary of state informs deputy foreign minister of Obama's new nuclear proliferation plans stressing Washington will adopt 'calculated ambiguity' policy towards non-threatening nations. Meanwhile, PM scheduled to visit US next week to attend NPT conference
Tauscher said that the US will strive to protect its allies and work against countries which violate the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) such as North Korea, or countries that fail to meet their commitments to the international community such as Iran.
The under secretary of state stressed that Washington will adopt a "calculated ambiguity" policy towards countries which do not pose a threat to the US. Despite not explicitly pointing to Israel, it appears her statements were meant to reassure the Jewish state.
Jerusalem's greatest concern ahead of the NPT conference in Washington next week is that Arab states will seek to exert pressure on Israel, which according to foreign reports has nuclear capabilities.
State officials estimated that Ayalon and Tauscher's conversation was meant to emphasize that Washington intends on maintaining its nuclear ambiguity understandings with Israel of the past 40 years.
It was promised that the Obama administration will provide Israel with a nuclear umbrella should it be attacked. The conversation was also meant to emphasize the countries' joint objectives, both against nations which violate the NPT, as well as against states supporting terror, which are suspected of trying to transfer nuclear weapons to terrorist groups or possibly Iran.
Netanyahu to visit Washington
Ayalon told the US senior official that Israel sees eye to eye with the US on the threat centers, namely Iran.
It was further revealed Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington next week, although he is not scheduled to meet Obama. The two may nevertheless meet informally during the NPT conference.
Netanyahu will be accompanied in the US by Dr. Shaul Horev, Director-General of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission and National Security Advisor Uzi Arad.
The prime minister is scheduled to depart for Washington next Monday and head back on the following Wednesday.
