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| Arabia |
| UAE: Draft nuclear accord reached with US |
| 2008-12-16 |
| (AKI) - The United Arab Emirates and the United States have completed negotiations on a draft agreement on nuclear energy. The UAE's state news agency WAM said on Monday that the so-called '123 Agreement' would allow for the transfer of nuclear-related components and materials between both countries. The '123 Agreement' refers to Section 123 of The United States Atomic Energy Act, entitled 'Cooperation with other nations'. "We are confident that the agreement highlights the transparency of the civilian nuclear energy programme the UAE is embarking on and should be lauded as the gold standard of nuclear cooperation agreements," said Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE's Ambassador to the US. "It is the view of the UAE government that the proposed UAE 123 agreement sets a new standard in ensuring the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation within the UAE program." However, some US lawmakers have voiced their concern about the UAE's alleged inaction in curbing Iran's nuclear plans and US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the agreement still needs Congressional approval. The UAE and Iran also have strong trade links. Iran has recently become its top trade partner with bilateral trade totalling 14 billion dollars. The US and other western powers suspect Iran may covertly be building atomic weapons. However, Iran has consistently claimed its uranium enrichment programme is entirely peaceful and aimed solely at civilian nuclear power, in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The UAE already signed a nuclear cooperation deal with France in January and it was later endorsed in March during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. French companies Total, Suez and Areva have expressed interest in the development of two nuclear reactors in the country. |
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