Newsletter Headline:
France Offers To Help Saudi Arabia Develop Nuclear Power
[Rachel's Introduction: Libya, Algeria, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are now all planning to build nuclear power plants, which, historically, has been the first step toward development of a nuclear weapon (as we know from the recent history of Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea).]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy offered yesterday to help Saudi Arabia explore development of a civilian nuclear energy program.
During his visit to the oil-rich kingdom, Sarkozy offered King Abdullah the services of France's Atomic Energy Commission to help explore the possibility of a civilian nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia.
"I have often said that the Muslim world is no less reasonable than the rest of the world in seeking civilian nuclear [power] for its energy needs, in full conformity with international security obligations," Sarkozy told the London-based Al-Hayat.
France has already signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Libya and Algeria and recently expressed a willingness to help Egypt explore nuclear power as well.
Sarkozy and Abdullah also signed agreements on oil and natural gas at the start of the French president's visit. He will also press the kingdom for lower prices of crude, according to one French diplomat (Laurent Pirot,
AP/San Francisco Chronicle online, Jan. 13).
Total, Suez, Areva to build 2 plants in Abu Dhabi Three international energy giants agreed today to build two nuclear power plants in Abu Dhabi.
French nuclear giant Areva, oil company Total and utility group Suez will build the two plants, which will be based on the third-generation system developed by Areva, a Total spokeswoman said.
Details on the plan are due later today (Agence France-Presse, Jan. 14). -- EB