Sunday, 17 December 2006
JEDDAH: Saudi's have strongly resented US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's questioning the prospects of civilian nuclear energy in the Gulf region.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in its summit in Riyadh last week announced its plan to commission a study to set up a common program in the area of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Rice questioned why Saudi Arabia might want nuclear energy and asked for more information about the Gulf countries' nuclear energy plans."The United States and Israel are planning to stop the Gulf countries from advancing technologically, they want us to rely on our agricultural economy," responded Dr. Ali Al-Tawati, a political analyst.
According to Abdulaziz Hussain, a retired colonel, Rice has jumped to conclusions. The meeting's aim is to use the energy program for peaceful purposes.
"There should only be concerns if any kind of nuclear technology is used for some sort of nuclear arms race," Hussain said.
Al-Tawati said it's not easy to shift nuclear technology to an armed race since the countries using these technologies are held accountable by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"We are using a huge amount of oil for water desalination and electricity. Having nuclear power will help reduce that amount," he said.
The political analyst also said Rice's reaction proves the US will not allow the Gulf countries to have nuclear technology.
"The rocky road to stability in the region and the fact Iran has nuclear programs, will definitely cause similar reactions from other countries," said Waheed Hashim, a political analyst.
It's every country's right to have nuclear technology and GCC countries should be able to attain it since Iran has similar technology, which can be used in an arms race, he said.
Rice pointed to the importance of having discussions about the GCC decision to study a possible joint civil atomic program.
"I think one would have to wonder about the need of some states for nuclear power given their own energy resources," Rice added.
"We don't expect to receive any complaints (from any quarters) on this matter," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal told a press conference after the GCC announcement last week.
"I think there is no reason not to discuss it," Rice added, saying US President George W. Bush has been a proponent of nuclear power provided there are safeguards to limit the risk of proliferation.
Prince Saud said that GCC does not want to be misunderstood and 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, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said.
By Maha Sami Aboulola
© The Saudi Gazette 2006
