The G8 closed its annual summit with a strong statement accusing Pyongyang of stoking tensions that could spread far beyond northeast Asia, and urged North Korea and Iran to halt atomic programs which have set the world on edge.
The G8 highlighted fears over nuclear proliferation, and fingered North Korea and Iran as major threats.
"The governments of Iran and North Korea have chosen to acquire weapons to threaten their neighbors. The world must see to it that what they spend on these weapons will not be the only costs they incur," Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.
G8 nations helped guide through this month's new U.N. sanctions against Tehran -- boosting pressure on Iranian leaders who have vowed to maintain an atomic program they say is purely for peaceful purposes.
The group welcomed Israel's decision to set up an independent public commission to investigate the incident, and urged Israel to fully implement a decision to begin relaxing the blockade imposed on Hamas-ruled Gaza some three years ago.
Via IMRA: Two significant diplomatic achievements for the Netanyahu administration in
this declaration:
#1. "We welcome the decision of the Israeli government to set up an independent public commission to investigate these events, which includes international participation, in the expectation that it will bring to light all the facts surrounding this tragic incident in line with the Statement of the President of the UN Security Council of June 1." = Israel's investigation could suffice.
#2. "We welcome the Israeli Cabinet's announcement of a new policy towards Gaza as a positive development. We urge full and effective implementation of this policy in order to address the needs of Gaza's population for humanitarian and commercial goods, civilian reconstruction and infrastructure, and legitimate economic activity as well as the legitimate security concerns of Israel that must continue to be safeguarded." = the new Israeli policy has the potential to meet Gaza's needs.
The G8 highlighted fears over nuclear proliferation, and fingered North Korea and Iran as major threats.
"The governments of Iran and North Korea have chosen to acquire weapons to threaten their neighbors. The world must see to it that what they spend on these weapons will not be the only costs they incur," Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.
G8 nations helped guide through this month's new U.N. sanctions against Tehran -- boosting pressure on Iranian leaders who have vowed to maintain an atomic program they say is purely for peaceful purposes.
The group welcomed Israel's decision to set up an independent public commission to investigate the incident, and urged Israel to fully implement a decision to begin relaxing the blockade imposed on Hamas-ruled Gaza some three years ago.
Via IMRA: Two significant diplomatic achievements for the Netanyahu administration in
this declaration:
#1. "We welcome the decision of the Israeli government to set up an independent public commission to investigate these events, which includes international participation, in the expectation that it will bring to light all the facts surrounding this tragic incident in line with the Statement of the President of the UN Security Council of June 1." = Israel's investigation could suffice.
#2. "We welcome the Israeli Cabinet's announcement of a new policy towards Gaza as a positive development. We urge full and effective implementation of this policy in order to address the needs of Gaza's population for humanitarian and commercial goods, civilian reconstruction and infrastructure, and legitimate economic activity as well as the legitimate security concerns of Israel that must continue to be safeguarded." = the new Israeli policy has the potential to meet Gaza's needs.
