An agreement was reached not to bring the agenda item “Israeli Nuclear Capabilities and Threat” to a vote during the General Conference. The decision was also part of a trade-off, whereby the Arab Group does not bring the resolution to a vote in exchange for Israel continue to join the consensus on the “Application of IAEA Safeguards in the Middle East” resolution. The General Conference approved the President’s suggestion that “…in view of the peace process already under way in the Middle East, the aim of which was to conclude a comprehensive and just peace in the region, and which included in particular discussions on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, it would be desirable not to consider the present agenda item at the thirty-sixth regular session.” The resolution had been adopted annually between 1987-1991.

Photo credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Hans Blix (left), Director-General IAEA, holds a press conference on the recent inspection of Iraq's nuclear facilities. October 08, 1991