GCC Advises Arabs To Use Nuclear Technology As Alternative Energy

2006-09-11

Go nuke call

Sounds warning to Tehran

Bahrain Tribune

http://www.bahraintribune.com/ ArticleDetail.asp

In a major development that could have far reaching implications in international relations, the GCC gave a call to the Arab world to join forces to push for nuclear technology in the region for peaceful purposes.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a meeting of GCC representatives on the hazards of nuclear proliferation, the Council's General Secretary, Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiya, who gave the call, also aired the concern of the member countries over the possible environmental and health hazards they face in the light of the conflict between Iran and other world powers over the former's nuclear programme.

Stressing the need to use nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes, Al Attiya said such a move would prove to be of immense benefit in various areas including science, medicine, agriculture and industry. "A third energy resource besides oil and gas would go a long way in the development of the region," he said.

He said the Arab world has the expertise and financial backing besides the technological know-how to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Reminding Iran that many of the cities in the GCC were in close proximity to its nuclear plants than Tehran, Al Attiya sounded a warning on the impact a nuclear disaster, be it man-made or technical, could have on them.

"Iran should remember that it has signed many agreements and treaties with GCC countries and many of them concern protection of environment. Hence, its nuclear programme should respect the provisions of the agreements and ensure safety," he said.

Organised by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, the conference is being held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said the aim of the conference was to put in place mechanism to prevent nuclear hazards in the region.

The minister also called for efforts to harness nuclear energy effectively and contribute to worldwide development.

"The conference is being held at the right time, especially with the rapid changes in the Gulf region, which is surrounded by regional and international nuclear powers. Although many parts of the world face similar situation, the risk factor is higher here because of the political turmoil and strategic location," Shaikh Rashid said.

The Secretary of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, in a letter read out at the conference, warned of the dangers of allowing Israel to be the only country in the region with nuclear capabilities.

"In the last 30 years, Arab countries have discouraged activities related to manufacture of weapons of mass destruction," he said, adding that the stand taken by the UN and Arab League to ensure that the region was nuclear weapon-free was, however, not confined to the Arab nations alone but included Israel too.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis