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Thursday, June 19, 2008

U.S. seeks nuke energy pacts with all Gulf states

ABU DHABI — Qatar leaders are reviewing a draft nuclear agreement with the United States.

Also under discussion are similar deals with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Officials said the MoU on nuclear cooperation was expected to be signed by Qatar and the United States in July 2008. They said the two countries were advancing in negotiations on a final draft.

"They [negotiations] have been very positive," U.S. special envoy for nuclear non-proliferation, Jackie Wolcott said.

Ms. Wolcott, who toured the Gulf in June, said Washington has also sought similar agreements with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. She said Qatar has been the most advanced of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states in nuclear energy plans. The first nuclear energy reactor in the Gulf was not expected to begin operations before 2020.

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"Qatar is very early on in the process of developing nuclear energy, so we wanted to get over here as quickly as possible as we believe we have a lot to offer in terms of technology," Ms. Wolcott said. "The United States is very supportive of nuclear energy as long as it is done according to certain requirements."

The United States has encouraged GCC and other Middle East states to develop nuclear energy. Officials said Washington has sought to win pledges from its allies to honor international standards on nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

"This is the first of many discussions, and although we are not far enough along in the process to have any specific dates, I hope an agreement can be signed within the coming months," Ms. Wolcott said.

"We intend to initiate transparent, safe mechanisms for the development of nuclear energy, and I can say that everyone we have spoken to in the region has the same intention."

Qatar has sought to win U.S. agreement for joint nuclear research. At this point, officials said, the Bush administration has not decided whether to help the GCC in a regional approach or work with individual members.

"There has been talk of a GCC-wide approach to nuclear energy and we listen to what they say," Ms.Wolcott said on June 12.



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