NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Israel called "inconceivable" a decision to appoint Iran special rapporteur of the U.N. General Assembly's Committee on Disarmament and International Security.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Ron Prosor Tuesday sent a protest letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Haaretz reported.
"It is inconceivable that a state under Security Council sanctions for suspected WMD proliferation activities would be allowed to hold this position. Permitting Iran to serve on the U.N.'s leading disarmament committee is like appointing a drug lord [chief executive officer] of a pharmaceutical company. How is it possible to entrust the reporting on disarmament to a country that itself is likely to be the subject of the report?" Prosor wrote.
"Rather than provide a global stage for Iran's defiance and deception, the U.N. should shine a spotlight on the regime's ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons and its support for terrorism across the globe."
Iran's appointment erodes the legitimacy of the United Nations and its ability to promote arms control and disarmament, he said.
Iran submitted its candidacy for the position in July, and despite Israel's protests, was voted to head the committee on Tuesday, Haaretz said. While the committee, comprised of 193 member states, does not have the power to pass resolutions, its decisions and declarations carry weight, the paper said.
