Western diplomats walk out during Ahmadinejad's speech

Diplomats from at least nine governments walked out of the UN General Assembly on Monday when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Diplomats from the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium left the assembly hall when Ahmadinejad began his speech, accusing the US and its allies of monopolizing nuclear issues.

French Ambassador Eric Danon said the walk-out was prompted by Ahmadinejad's provocative remarks.

"This is a collective message," Danon said. He said diplomats from other governments also left, but it could be independently confirmed.

"The message is that we cannot accept that the president of Iran has continued to have a defiant attitude toward the international community," Danon said.

Western governments have accused Iran of violating its obligations as a party to the NPT.


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