AMMAN — Jordan and the United States have signed a nuclear
cooperation accord.
Under the accord, officials said, the United States would help Jordan's
nuclear energy and research program. They said the United States would
facilitate the procurement and establishment of nuclear energy reactors in
the Hashemite kingdom.
The deal is part of the Global Energy Partnership which has been a U.S. initiative to help allies
launch nuclear energy and research programs.
On Sept. 16, the U.S. embassy in Amman said the nuclear cooperation
accord was signed on the same day by U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and
Jordanian Scientific Research Minister Khaled Toukan, Middle East Newsline reported. The memorandum of
understanding was signed along the sidelines of the Global Energy
Partnership meeting in Vienna.
"In an important step forward in bilateral cooperation to support
Jordan's development of a peaceful nuclear energy program, Jordan and the
United States signed a memorandum of understanding under which the two
countries
will work together to develop requirements for appropriate power reactors,
fuel service arrangements, civilian training, nuclear safety, energy
technology, and other related areas," the U.S. embassy said.
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During the meeting Bodman
pledged $78 million in U.S. economic and security aid to Jordan. Overall,
Jordan would receive $532 million in U.S. aid during fiscal 2007, which ends
in October.
"Jordan will also receive $67.7 million in security-related assistance,
including $10 million for anti-terrorism training and equipment," the
embassy said. "Most of the training will be conducted at the Jordanian
International Police Training Center. An additional $12.7 million will be
applied towards equipment grants for the Public Security Directorate. The
remaining $45 million will be offered as military assistance that would aid
Jordan in providing for border security and related needs."
The embassy said Jordan and the United States would develop the
kingdom's requirements for nuclear reactors, civilian training, technology
and the delivery of nuclear fuel. The statement did not provide a timetable.
In January 2007, Jordan's King Abdullah announced plans to develop a
civilian nuclear program for the generation of electricity and desalination
of water. In August, Toukan said nuclear energy would fulfill 30 percent of
Jordan's needs by 2030.
Jordan was said to contain 80,000 tons of uranium. The kingdom's
phosphate reserves also contain some 100,000 tons of uranium.
