Gulf Arabs say they want nuclear energy technology
Source: Reuters
(Adds background) RIYADH, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Gulf Arab countries want to acquire nuclear energy capability and have ordered a study on a possible joint atomic programme, a statement read on Sunday at the close of a two-day Gulf Cooperation Council summit said. "The countries of the region have the right to nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes," said Abdul-Rahman al-Attiya, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The statement comes amid concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and suspicions that Israel has nuclear weapons. The statement called on Iran to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear energy programme, which Western countries led by the United States suspect is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons. Tehran says the programme is peaceful. It also called on Israel to cooperate with international bodies over its nuclear energy facilities. Saudi officials have said a nuclear Iran could spur a regional arms race, hinting that Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, could look to acquire the technology too. The GCC statement said its nuclear programme would be aimed at meeting energy needs. "The higher committee ordered a GCC-wide study to be carried out to create a joint programme in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, according to international standards and arrangements," he said, reading a closing statement. At least six Arab countries are developing domestic nuclear power programmes to diversify energy sources, the Middle East Economic Digest reported last month. It said Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria have shown interest in developing nuclear power primarily for water desalination. Similar plans by the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia were only at an early stage, it said. The GCC, which groups Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, has said it is worried about environmental damage from an Iranian nuclear plant on the other side of the Gulf waterway. But Gulf governments, led by Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, also want to check what they view as the creeping influence of Shi'ite power Iran in the Arab region through support for Lebanon's Hezbollah, Shi'ite parties in Iraq and Tehran's alliance with Damascus.
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