'Landmark' deal ends U.S. stalemate with Israel over nuclear reactor
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
TEL AVIV — Israel and the United States have signed an agreement on safety at a nuclear reactor in the Negev desert.
Under the accord, the United States would help Israel monitor and enhance its nuclear reactor at Dimona.
Officials said this marked the first direct U.S. aid for operation at Dimona, which has not come under inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"This is a landmark accord and was heavily influenced by the U.S. nuclear agreement with India," an official said.
The Israeli-U.S. agreement, signed by U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Dale Klein and Israel Atomic Energy Commission director Shaul Horev, would help improve safety at Dimona, established around 1962.
Egypt has repeatedly complained of radiation leakage from the plant, said to produce and maintain Israel's nuclear weapons arsenal.
Under the accord, officials said, the Israel Atomic Energy Commission would gain access to U.S. nuclear safety technology and methods. They said the United States would reserve the right to restrict data and technology.
Officials said Israel has sought such an agreement for more than a decade. But the United States rejected Israel's appeals, citing the Jewish state's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The turning point came in 2007 when the Bush administration signed an accord with India on nuclear cooperation. India has also refused to join NTP, sparking calls in Congress for the launch of U.S. nuclear cooperation with Israel as well.