Iraqi parliamentarians have questioned a Kuwaiti project by France to
construct a nuclear energy reactor in the Gulf Cooperation Council state.
They warned that the reactor at Kuwait's Warba island could threaten Iraq.
"Kuwait may build a nuclear reactor at Warba island that is located less
than half a kilometer from the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr," Iraqi
parliamentarian Alya Nasif said.
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Ms. Nasif, a member of the White Iraqi bloc, has demanded that Iraqi
Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki stop Kuwait from building the nuclear reactor
along the mutual border. She said Kuwait has signed a $20 million contract
for France to begin construction of the reactor.
Iraq has already relayed its opposition to the Kuwaiti project, which
included construction of a port at Mubarak Al Kabir. Officials said the
reactor was 30 kilometers from the nearest Kuwaiti community.
In a statement on June 30, Ms. Nasif said the Kuwaiti reactor would
result in the displacement of 500,000 Iraqis. She said the reactor
represented a hostile act by the GCC sheikdom.
"It appears as if Kuwaiti lives are more precious than Iraqis," Ms.
Nasif said.