Keeping Up With The (Nuclear) Joneses

[jpak]

http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/03/25/nuclear-iran-npt-biz-cx_0326oxford.html

In the last two years, more than a dozen Arab states have announced plans to pursue nuclear power programs. This has raised concerns that such countries are interested in developing nuclear weapons.

All state parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have the legal right to develop nuclear energy programs. Yet civilian nuclear power programs can provide the technology and expertise necessary to begin a nuclear weapons program. Some civilian nuclear reactors also provide the fuel necessary for the construction of nuclear weapons.

There has been growing international interest in nuclear energy options, but the particular spike in Arab interest has raised concerns about parties' true motives.

Egypt

Cairo said in 2006 that it would start constructing nuclear power stations. In December 2007, it said that it would not sign the additional protocol to the NPT, which allows U.N. inspectors to make intrusive inspections of nuclear sites on short notice. However, the protocol is voluntary, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing technical assistance to establish the country's first nuclear power plant for electricity generation.

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