joint nuclear program for Arab gulf states proposed

[ftr23532]

First we have the ISG charge the Saudis with funding the Sunni insurgents, and now this proposal during a time when this Administration is still talking tough with Iran over its own nuclear ambitions. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061210/ap_on_re_mi_ea/gulf_summit_nuclear">Lots of interesting Saudi-related signals being sent around these days:

Arab states study shared nuclear program

By ABDULLAH SHIHRI and DIANA ELIAS, Associated Press Writers 20 minutes ago

The oil-rich Arab states on the Persian Gulf said Sunday that they will consider starting a joint nuclear program for peaceful purposes.

...

The statement read by Abdul Rahman al-Attiyah, secretary-general of the political and economic alliance, did not elaborate on the plan by the group — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, was quick to tell reporters after the closing session that the group did not want to be "misunderstood," saying its aim "is to obtain the technology for peaceful purposes, no more no less."

"Gulf states are not known for seeking hegemony or threatening power, they seek stability and peace," he said.

Kuwaiti columnist Fouad al-Hashem called Sunday's announcement a "clear, strong and courageous" message to Iran that the GCC nations will not sit and watch while Iran presses forward with its nuclear program.

"They are saying that we can, with the help of our allies, balance the power and build our own reactors even if we don't need them," said al-Hashem, who writes for the Al-Watan newspaper. "They are saying we're here, and we have the whole civilized world on our side."

The Arab states around the Persian Gulf have not previously pursued nuclear power because they possess substantial oil resources and have lacked the scientific know-how, but their statement said they will look into the uses of atomic energy. Saudi Arabia already said in November it was experimenting with nuclear technology for medical purposes.
...

So it's a peaceful nuclear program that apparently will be used as a balance of power in the region. Heh. It's worth pointing out that they would probably have almost no trouble getting the nuclear technology given Saudi Arabia's close ties to Pakistan and the fact that the AQ Khan's nuclear technology procurement network worked closely with the http://fortherecordessays.blogspot.com/2006/11/part-10-look-at-world-of-money_11.html">BCCI criminal bank (the Arab gulf states were major players in that particular enterprise).

What strange, scary times these are...

[Wonk]

1. Here's the LBN thread on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2646799

[Peace Patriot]

2. Oh, boy, Israel is going to rue the day that it allied itself with the Bush

Junta.