Saudi nuclear plan gets green light

The Saudi Arabian cabinet has decided to approve the country's agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the protocols and application of safeguards under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Saudi newspaper Arab News reported.

The Saudis established their Atomic Energy Research Institute, based outside the capital Riyadh, in 1988 to conduct research for peaceful purposes. While Saudi Arabia's northern neighbor Iran has been accused of using its nuclear program to manufacture weapons grade uranium, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons, no such allegation has been raised against the Saudis, who also lack the missiles to launch a nuclear bomb.

In December 2006 Saudi Arabia, together with the five other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman - announced that they were setting up a commission to study the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. For technical expertise most of GCC countries turned to France and not their traditional ally, the US.

While it might seem strange that the world's largest producer of oil and the one believed to have the largest oil reserve would need nuclear power to supply the county with electricity, many analysts say that with crude oil prices at record levels it makes economic sense to sell the oil abroad and use nuclear power at home.

Meanwhile, during a visit to Iran by Algerian President 'Abd Al-'Aziz Bouteflika the possibility of establishing a cartel to control the production of natural gas was once again raised. There have previously been discussions among various countries to set up the equivalent of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for natural gas, but so far the plan has not materialized.

(Source: Jerusalem Post)

U.S.-Saudi Arabia Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation

Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation. The Government of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the development of environmentally sustainable, safe, and secure civilian nuclear energy through a series of complementary agreements. Both of our countries face growing energy needs and we seek to address them in a responsible manner that contributes to reducing the effects of greenhouse gases on the global climate.

The United States will assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear energy for use in medicine, industry, and power generation and will help in development of both the human and infrastructure resources in accordance with evolving International Atomic Energy Agency guidance and standards. Saudi Arabia has stated its intent to rely on international markets for nuclear fuel and to not pursue sensitive nuclear technologies, which stands in direct contrast to the actions of Iran.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia became the 71st nation to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. As a partner in this multilateral initiative, Saudi Arabia will work with partner nations to address all aspects of the nuclear terrorism threat, including deterrence, denial of safe havens, detection, material confiscation, and response.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also presented the United States with a diplomatic note endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Saudi Arabia joins more than 85 states participating in the Initiative, which responds to the growing challenge posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery vehicles, and related materials worldwide. PSI participants commit to undertake measures to interdict transfers of WMD related items, exchange relevant information, and strengthen national legal authorities.

(Source: U.S. Department of State)