Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., May 17, 2008 Iyyar 12, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:28 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. (AP) Last update - 10:01 03/04/2008 U.S. diplomats: Saudi Arabia likely to join nuclear arms race By The Associated Press Tags: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, U.S.  Saudi Arabia most likely would develop nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them, according to a report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. High-level American diplomats in Riyadh with excellent access to Saudi decision-makers said an Iranian nuclear weapon frightens the Saudis to their core and would compel the Saudis to seek nuclear weapons, the report said. The American diplomats were not identified. Turkey also would come under pressure to follow suit if Iran builds nuclear weapons in the next decade, said the report prepared by a committee staff member after interviewing hundreds of individuals in Washington and the Middle East last July through December. Advertisement While Turkey and Iran do not see themselves as adversaries, Turkey believes a power balance between them is the primary reason for a peaceful relationship, the report said. Egypt most likely would choose not to respond by pursuing its own nuclear weapons program, the report prepared in late February and obtained Wednesday said. The impact on relations with Israel and the United States were cited as the primary reasons. A U.S. intelligence estimate late last year said Iran worked on nuclear weapons programs until 2003 before abandoning them. However, the intelligence analysts also reported Iran was continuing to enrich uranium, a key weapons component, and possessed the capacity to produce nuclear weapons if it decided to do so. Among the conclusions, the report said demands for nuclear energy and for matching Iran's nuclear progress virtually guarantees that three or four Middle Eastern countries will generate nuclear power by 2025. And this, in turn, will reduce the obstacles to acquiring nuclear weapons, the report said. The spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East could reduce regional security and endanger U.S. interests, the report said. In the next two or three years, the United States must take steps to restore Arab and Turkish confidence in U.S. security guarantees, the report concluded. Otherwise, it said, the future Middle East landscape may include a number of nuclear armed or nuclear weapons-capable states vying for influence in a notoriously unstable region. Related articles: Saudis propose Mideast consortium to defuse Iran nuke issue Bush warns nuclear Iran could spur 'World War III' BBC poll: Support for tough moves against Iran decreased Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?   1.   Arms Race Is On Thanks To America 01:32  |  MB 03/04/08   2.   During the 1980s 01:36  |  Mark Lincoln 03/04/08   3.   The masterwork of an idiot 01:39  |  Mark Lincoln 03/04/08   4.   That`s right, blame Iran for starting the nuclear arms race 01:40  |  Joe 03/04/08   5.   # 1. The Nuclear Race is on. Thanks to France..! 02:16  |  Stephen. 03/04/08   6.   Hopefully Not 03:24  |  Zac 03/04/08   7.   the saudi already has nukes 06:14  |  reza SHAH 03/04/08   8.   US of A 07:32  |  Fadhil 03/04/08   9.   The Kingdom of Saudia. 08:29  |  Jean Van Daem 03/04/08   10.   The arms race is on, thanks to Israel 09:07  |  Natallie Durson 03/04/08   11.   Irans nuclear facilities need to be destoryed & the race is over 09:23  |  awesome 03/04/08   12.   SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN NUCLEAR CLUB(?) 12:39  |  HAFIZ 03/04/08   13.   Who introduced Nuclear Technology in the Region? Who? 02:41  |  YO MAMA! 17/05/08   14.   NUCLEAR ARMS RACE 13:40  |  Muhammad Patel 17/05/08

Read & React Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' Responses: 468 PMO: U.S., Israel see need for 'tangible action' on Iran nukes Responses: 135 Shmuel Rosner: Bush, Obama and the 'appeasement' jibe Responses: 95 Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land Responses: 217 Sultan al-Qassemi: Arab Jews should be welcomed back in their ancestral homes Responses: 139 Rosner's Domain Bush should be measured by the yardstick he prescribed to Obama The greatest achievement and failure of the Jewish people Is Obama a Carter or a Chomsky? (WTR) Poll: Was Bush attacking Obama? Does McCain wants to talk to Hamas? (WTR) More Headlines 12:19 Ex-IAF Chief: Thousands of rockets likely to pound Israel in future war 14:18 Report: Police to confront Olmert with new evidence 13:46 Min. Dichter says considering bid for Kadima leadership 14:08 Egyptian press blasts Bush over 'Torah-inspired' Knesset speech 13:40 Lebanese leaders start talks in Qatar to end political crisis 01:44 Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas 23:53 Bush offers Saudis nuclear power in exchange for more oil 06:07 Chavez apologizes to Merkel after labeling her 'descendant of Hitler' 09:38 Palestinian-Americans mark 60th anniverary of Nakba at UN rally 21:12 Green giant 09:16 Two men shot to death in Kiryat Ata drive-by murder 14:11 Osama Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land Previous Editions Select Day 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved