The Gulf states consider nuclear energy
Commentary by Nicole Stracke, Gulf Research Center
THE DAILY STAR [LEBANON]
March 13, 2007
Excerpts
How far away are the Gulf states from engaging in a nuclear race in the Middle East? Up to that point, the GCC states had never seriously considered the use of nuclear energy. Most of the members have signed the major nuclear non-proliferation treaties. Five of the six have qualified for Small Quantity Protocol status, which implies almost zero nuclear activity. Therefore, the decision to initiate a nuclear research program marks a major departure from traditional GCC policy and indicates a new attitude in response to the changing political and security environment in the Gulf.
The reason is simple. The expansion of Iran's nuclear program, coupled with the Iranian government's belligerent attitude in the past year, has generated deep concern among the GCC leadership. As a consequence, it has started looking for its own regional initiatives to counter the possible threat from an aggressive neighbor armed with nuclear weapons.
The decision to establish a GCC nuclear program must be taken seriously by the international community. It was decided at the highest leadership level and has the full support of each of the Gulf governments. Second, since it is a joint program among all member states, logistical and financial support for the program will not be a problem. Third, the decision was reached out of necessity - the GCC countries felt they could no longer lag behind Iran and accept a widening nuclear technology gap, and the long-term possibility of Iran emerging as a sub-regional hegemon intent on changing the regional status quo.
[...]
The GCC announcement about pursuing nuclear research did not contradict the Gulf WMDFZ [weapons of mass destruction free zone] initiative. In fact, its approach allows research and development for a peaceful nuclear program, while providing a legal framework and assurances to all member states that there is no military agenda. The GCC states thus wanted to make clear that it is not the Iranian nuclear program per se that is being opposed, but Iranian behavior and the lack of security assurances from Tehran. After all, doubts about Iran's intentions came after the discovery that it was working secretly on the development of sophisticated nuclear facilities and that it had provided the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with false information.
Nicole Stracke is a researcher in the Security and Terrorism Program at the Gulf Research Center (GRC) in Dubai. THE DAILY STAR publishes this commentary in collaboration with the GRC.
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