Gulf States: Maybe We'll Go Nuclear, Too

[maddezmom]

(AP) Oil-rich Arab states in the Gulf announced at the end of a summit Sunday that they were considering a shared nuclear program for peaceful purposes.

"The (leaders) commissioned a study by members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to set up a common program in the area of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, according to international standards and systems," said the final statement of the two-day GCC summit held in the Saudi capital.

The statement read by Abdul Rahman al-Attiyah, the secretary general of the political and economic alliance, did not elaborate on the plan by the GCC, which is comprised of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

Gulf countries have expressed worry over neighboring Iran's disputed nuclear program that has lead to a standoff with the West over Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

more:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/10/world/main2244006.shtml

[krispos42]

1. Civilian nuclear power in response to military nuclear weapons?

Yeah, I believe that. It makes perfect logical sense. Your psycho neighbor buys a shotgun, so you respond by buying fireworks.

:sarcasm:

[Pirate Smile]

2. Based on the Headline, I thought this was going to be about Mississippi and Louisiana

desperately seeking attention from the Feds for Katrina rebuilding help.

[uppityperson]

4. Me too. How to get federal attention. Odd world we're in right now. eom

[tblue37]

21. Me too. (eom)

[papau]

3. GE & The GOP list of donor companies below says they are in favor of more sales, I'm sure!

Nuclear Energy Institute
(Including academic Members)
Member Roster
October 2006

Key:
Member Company Subsidiary
Non-Operating Owner
Members in the United States:
ACI Nuclear Energy Solutions
Accenture
Allen University
Altran Solutions
AmerenUE
AmerGen Energy Company, LLC
American Electric Power
Indiana Michigan Power Company
American Nuclear Insurers Analytics, Inc
.Aon Risk Services
AREVA
AREVA, Inc.
AREVA NP
AREVA NC
Canberra, Inc.
Transnuclear, Inc.
Argonne National Laboratory
Arizona Public Service Company
El Paso Electric Company
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Public Service Company of New Mexico
Salt River Project
Southern California Edison Company
Southern California Public Power Authority

Arizona State University
Artemis International Solutions Corporation
BWX Technologies, Inc
.Balch & Bingham
Bartlett Holdings, Inc.
Bartlett Nuclear, Inc.
Bartlett Services, Inc.
Deltak Manufacturing Company, Inc.
EXCEL Modular Scaffold & Leasing Corp.
SUN Technical Services, Inc.
Team One Mechanical Services, LLC

Battelle Memorial Institute
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Bechtel Power Corporation
Beckman & Associates, Inc.
Bio-Nucleonics, Inc
Black & Veatch
Brigham Young University
Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging
Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Burns and Roe Group
CH2M Hill
California Institute of Technology
Cardinal Health
Carnegie-Mellon University
The Catholic University of America
Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness
Clemson University
Columbia University
Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company
Constellation Nuclear
Long Island Power Authority
Constellation Nuclear Services, Inc
Consumers Energy
ConverDyn
Cornell University
Curtiss Wright Flow Control Corporation
Cytyc Surgical Products
Dairyland Power Cooperative
Genoa Fuel Tech Day, Berry & Howard LLP
The Detroit Edison Company Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP
Dominion Generation
Central Vermont Public Service Corporation Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Duane Morris LLP Duke Energy Corporation
North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative Piedmont Municipal Power Agency Saluda River Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Duke University
Edlow International Company
ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc.
Enercon Services, Inc.
Energy Fuels Resources Corporation
Energy Metals Corporation
Energy Northwest
Bonneville Power Administration
Energy Resources International, Inc
.EnergySolutions, LLCEngineering Planning and Management, Inc.Entergy Operations, Inc.
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Entergy Gulf States, Inc.
Entergy Louisiana, Inc.
Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Entergy New Orleans, Inc.
TLG Services, Inc.

South Mississippi Electric Power Association System Energy Resources
EP Consulting, LLC
ERIN Engineering and Research, Inc
.EXCEL Services Corporation
Excelsior College
Exelon Generation Company
MidAmerican Energy Company
PSEG Power LLC

FPL Group, Inc.
Florida Power & Light Company
FPL Energy, LLC
Florida Municipal Power Agency
Hudson Light & Power Department
Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company
Orlando Utilities Commission
Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant
Fargo Electronics, Inc.
FirstEnergy Corp.
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
The Toledo Edison Company
Fluor Corporation
Fluor Daniel, Inc.
Francis Marion University
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
GE Healthcare
GNSI
General Atomics
Rio Grande Resources Corporation
Sequoyah Fuels Corporation
Sorrento Electronics
General Dynamics
Electric Boat
General Electric Company
GE Energy, Nuclear
Georgia Institute of Technology
Globe Nuclear Services and Supply GNSS, Limited
Goodwin Procter LLP
Harkins Cunningham LLP
Harvard School of Public Health
High Plains Uranium, Inc.
Hogan & Hartson
Holtec International
Honeywell
Hunton & Williams
INDUS International
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho State University
International Access Corporation
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Isotopes Idaho, Inc.
International Nuclear Associates
International Nuclear, Inc.
International Technology and Trade Associates, Inc.
International Uranium (USA) Corporation
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Isotope Products Laboratories
Kansas State University
Kiewit Federal Group Inc.
Kleinsorg Group Risk Services, LLC
Lakeland Community College
Lakeshore Technical College
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
LeBlond and Associates, LLC
Linn State Technical College
Livingstone College
Longenecker & Associates
MCR Performance Solutions, LLC
MPR Associates, Inc.
MRO Software
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
Mallinckrodt Inc.
Maracor Software & Engineering, Inc
.Marsh Inc.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Mestena Uranium LLC
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Michigan Technological University
Mississippi State University
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
NAC International
NISYS Corporation
National Enrichment Facility
Nebraska Public Power District
New York Nuclear Corporation
Nexus Technical Services Corporation
The Nielsen-Wurster Group, Inc.
North Carolina State University
Northern Michigan University
Northrop Grumman
Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc.
Nuclear Management Company, LLC
Alliant Energy
Consumers Energy
We Energies
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Alliant Energy
Madison Gas and Electric Company

Xcel Energy Numerical Applications, Inc.
OSIsoft
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C
Ohio State University
Omaha Public Power District Operation Support Services, Inc
.Oregon State UniversityPPL Corporation
Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.
PSEG Nuclear LLC
Public Service Enterprise Group
Exelon Corporation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PaR Systems, Inc.
Parsons Energy and Chemicals Group Inc.

Patton Boggs LLP
Paul C. Rizzo Associates
Pennsylvania State University
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Polestar Applied Technology, Inc
.Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
Power Equipment Associates, Ltd.
PoweResources, Inc.
Precision Components Corporation
Progress Energy
North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Purdue University
R. Brooks Associates, Inc.
RWE NUKEM, Inc.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center
Rice University
Rich Associates, Inc.

S.M. Stoller Corporation
STP Nuclear Operating Company

Austin Energy, The City of Austin
CPS Energy
NRG Energy, Inc

Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sandia National Laboratories
Sargent & Lundy, L.L.C.
SCIENTECH, Inc.
Scott, Madden & Associates
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company
South Carolina Public Service Authority
Southern California Edison Company
Anaheim Public Utilities Department
Riverside Utilities Department
San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Southern Illinois University
Southern Nuclear Operating Company
Gulf Power Company
Mississippi Power Company
Savannah Electric Power Company
Alabama Power Company
Dalton Utilities
Georgia Power Company
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Stanford University
Stone & Webster, A Shaw Group Company
Strategic Asset Management, Inc
.Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP
TXU Power Talisman International, LLC
Tennessee Valley Authority
Texas A & M University
Thames Valley State Technical College
Three Rivers Community College
Total Protection Services Carolinas, LLC
Total Resource Management
TradeTech Transport Logistics International
Troutman Sanders, LLP
USEC Inc.
U.S. Naval Academy
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
United States Energy Association, Inc.
United States Energy Corporation
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of California
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado
University of Detroit
University of Florida
University of Idaho
University of Illinois
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts
University of Michigan
University of Missouri
University of New Mexico
University of North Texas
University of Notre Dame
University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina
University of Tennessee
University of Texas at Austin
University of the District of Columbia
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Uranium Resources, Inc.
Urenco Enrichment Company Ltd
.Utility Workers Union of America
The Ux Consulting Company, LLC
Vanderbilt University
Vantage Partners
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
WM Mining Company LLC
CIMA Energy Company
Mine Reclamation
WSC International
Washington Group International, Inc
Westinghouse Electric Company
Fauske & Associates, Inc.
PCI Energy Services, Inc.
Scientific Ecology Group, Inc.

Williams Plant Services
Winston & Strawn
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation
Kansas City Power & Light Company Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Westar Energy
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wyle Laboratories, Inc.
Yankee Atomic Power Company

International Members:
AUSTRALIA
Paladin Resources Ltd.
BELGIUM Euratom Supply Agency
CANADA
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
AECL Technologies
Cameco Corporation
MDS Nordion
McMaster University
New Brunswick Power Corporation
Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Strathmore Minerals Corp.
University of Alberta
FRANCE AREVA Electricité de France OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
ITALY
University of Bologna
JAPAN
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
Chubu Electric Power Company, Inc.
The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan
Hitachi, Ltd.
IEA of Japan Co., Ltd.
ITOCHU Corporation
The Japan Atomic Power Company
Japan Electric Power Information Center
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization
Japan NUS Co., Ltd.
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Kyushu Electric Power Company, Inc.
MHI Nuclear Energy Systems, Inc.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.
Energis Company
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi International Corporation
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Sumitomo Corporation
The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.
Toshiba International Corporation
MEXICO
Comision Federal de Electricidad
NORWAY
Algeta ASA
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan National
Tsing Hua University
Taiwan Power Company
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company
Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety
Korea Nuclear Energy Foundation
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Nuclear Fuels Corporation of South Africa
SPAIN
Foro de la Industria
Nuclear Española
UNESA
Asociación Nuclear
Ascó-Vandellós II
, A.I.E. Central Nuclear de Cofrentes
Central Nuclear de José Cabrera
Central Nuclear de Santa María de Garoña
Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo Endesa Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico Iberdrola Nuclenor Unión Fenosa
SWITZERLAND
BKW
Energie AGNordostschweizerische Kraftwerke A.G.
UNITED KINGDOM
British Nuclear Fuels plc
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

[VegasWolf]

8. GE - Building a Brighter tomorrow! Much brighter, almost as bright as the sun! nt

[calimary]

20. Maybe it's that Brighter Tomorrow that glows in the dark.

OY.

[Porcupine]

5. It's good to have your own plutonium.

It makes you a player on the global stage. Even if you aren't making your own bombs you can threaten to give the plutonium to Al Quaida. Of course you have to have a plausible amount of plutonium in the first place.

Is there any doubt that plutonium is what keeps Iran safe from the PNAC cabal?

[Pavulon]

6. More plutonium

is not a good thing. There are plenty of ways to use uranium fuel that can not be used for a bomb.

Plutonium is not needed for power generation.

Yes there is doubt about that statement.

[w4rma]

7. Rethugs have screwed up that whole region. I don't like religious zealots with nukes. (nt)

[oblivious]

9. AP is sometimes so slimy in their implications. Or maybe it is CBS with their cuts.

In this article, AP says "Gulf countries have expressed worry over neighboring Iran's disputed nuclear program that has lead to a standoff with the West over Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment."

In fact, their worries relate to (1) safety issues as the Bushehr reactor, close to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, starts up and (2) the possibility of conflict between Iran and the US/Israel, as AP says in this longer article for European readers:

Officials in the Sunni-led Gulf nations of the Gulf have publicly focused on safety issues involving the program, but they are equally worried about a possible military clash between the United States and its ally Israel and Tehran. The Gulf Countries with U.S. military bases — Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar — fear Iran could retaliate against them.

And their headlines always imply 'going nuclear' as in 'nuclear weapons', when the quotations from the Gulf cuntries are very clear about 'peaceful purposes'.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/09/africa/ME_GEN_Saudi_Arabia_Gulf_Summit.php

[SoCalDem]

10. Gee how cheery.. What's next? I never could understand why

having a weapon too horrible to ever use was a good idea...for anyone.

The whole idea of weaponry is to have something ahead of your "enemy", but that preserves the "property" and subjects for your own use after you "win"..

To obliterate, just for the sake of obliteration is just plain stupid.

and if it's a weapon you cannot "use", then it's no deterrent at all..

Hey Gulf states?? Maybe if Louisiana goes nu-que-lur, they'll get some attention :)

[oblivious]

11. This not about nuclear weapons. That's just the usual misleading AP headline.

[MGD]

12. Why would a nation awash with oil waste money on nuclear reactors for energy purposes?

[Porcupine]

14. They'll need leverage so they can feed their populations.

The Gulf states have populations that do very little but spend money and have children. Much of the work is done by imported labor; they export little except oil and money and they want the money back.

[MGD]

15. are you talking about Persian Gulf states or Gulf of Mexico states?

[pitohui]

18. great minds think alike tee hee

my post #17 on the same theme

[Canuckistanian]

22. We wouldn't want Mullah Falwell to have a nuclear bomb

This must be stopped!

[IndianaGreen]

13. They have no choice! There is only so much oil underground

and they will run out of it.

[MGD]

16. So, you think this is a good thing then?

They should consider solar energy. It's much safer to begin with and can you imagine how much power you could generate in the Arabian desert?

[pitohui]

17. hey!

when i read the subject line i thought you were referring to the immortal tom lehrer lyric:

We'll try to stay serene and calm

When Alabama gets the bomb

i think louisiana, mississippi, and texas should get it too then watch out world! we are just as good gulf states as those other dudes who already have the effing bomb already anyway and are just faking it

have to admit i don't care one way or another if oman gets the bomb

[Amonester]

19. Well, Well, Well... Methinks they've "imported" all the "free"

instructions and the more important secret scientific formulas about "How to make an atomic bomb" the traitors in chief have posted on the White House website in Arabic for six months!

Is it just moi or, this smells kinda fishy? :shrug:

[thingfisher]

23. Maybe this is the rebirth of

MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION!!??

Remember Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace program? Thats where nuclear proliferation started.

[Eugene]

24. AP: Iran Offers to Transfer Nuke Technology

Iran Offers to Transfer Nuke Technology


Saturday December 16, 2006 2:16 PM

AP Photo VAH112

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's president said Saturday his country was ready to transfer
nuclear technology to neighboring countries, Kuwaiti television reported, a week after
Arab states on the Persian Gulf announced plans to consider a joint nuclear program.

The television said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a top Kuwaiti envoy
he welcomed the decision by the Islamic republic's Arab neighbors to pursue peaceful
nuclear technology.

-snip-

Such a technological transfer would be legal as long as it is between signatory states
to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and as long as the International Atomic Energy
Agency that monitors the treaty was informed of the transfer.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6284979,00.html