Last update - 00:00 16/04/2007
UN atomic chief says supports Mideast civilian nuclear plans
By The Associated Press
The United Nations nuclear agency chief on Sunday wrapped up a six-day tour of the Middle East, where he expressed support for a regional move toward nuclear power.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Gulf Arab states say they only want civilian nuclear energy.
At the same time, Mohamed ElBaradei, who heads the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, tried to temper fears over the nature of Iran's nuclear program.
ElBaradei's talks in Jordan occurred on the same day Iran announced it had put out bids to build two nuclear power plants to generate electricity, despite international pressure to roll back its disputed nuclear program.
ElBaradei addressed concerns about Iran by saying fears about its future intentions are not for today, but for the coming five to 10 years. "We still have plenty of time to solve the problem peacefully," he said.
Jordan's King Abdullah II first announced plans for a peaceful nuclear program in January in an interview with Haaretz.
"The rules have changed," Abdullah said at the time. "Everybody's going for nuclear programs."
Several regional states, including the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as Egypt and Turkey, have declared similar intentions in recent months.
In Jordan, ElBaradei told the king that the IAEA was ready to help Jordan to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He said his agency would dispatch a team to Jordan next week to look into its plans.
Unlike its oil-rich Gulf Arab neighbors, Jordan ¬ which once entirely depended on cheap oil supplies from its neighbor Iraq ¬ now imports 95 percent of all of its energy needs. The cash-strapped kingdom says it cannot continue to pay its rising oil bill. Abdullah has pledged his country would use nuclear energy to generate electricity and desalinate water.