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US to Sign Nuclear Pact With UAE

Some fear move could help fuel Iran's nuclear ambitions

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2008 6:42 AM CST

(Newser) – The White House is set to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates—a move some fear could put nuclear materials in the hands of Iran, the UAE’s top trading partner. The Bush administration’s first such pact with a Middle Eastern country would mean sharing US nuclear fuel and knowledge; in return, the UAE would agree to stick to strict nuclear regulations, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The plan, which requires the UAE to “rely on the markets for nuclear fuel,” is “a real counterexample to what Iran is doing,” says a US official. Legislation introduced ahead of the agreement calls on the next president to ensure that the UAE has worked to cut financing to Iran and prevent “sensitive technologies” from reaching the country, the Journal notes. Barack Obama would face a political challenge in deciding whether to push Congress to approve the measure.

President Bush welcomes United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Camp David, Md., Sunday, Aug 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Bush welcomes United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum at Camp David, Md., Sunday, Aug 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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US to Sign Nuclear Pact With UAE

Some fear move could help fuel Iran's nuclear ambitions

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Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

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Bunker busters would be ideal for, say, taking out a nuclear facility

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First offer from Iran in 2 years a bit fuzzy

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But GE says laser enrichment could help US energy security

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First such public comment from Obama admin that they're working

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US to Sign Nuclear Pact With UAE

Some fear move could help fuel Iran's nuclear ambitions

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • Bush administration • nuclear proliferation • United Arab Emirates • nuclear fuel • agreement • nuclear energy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

To Thwart Iran, US Plans to Sell Bombs to UAE

Bunker busters would be ideal for, say, taking out a nuclear facility

Iran Offers Inspectors ‘Full Supervision’ of Nukes

First offer from Iran in 2 years a bit fuzzy

Uranium Tech Could Open Easy Path to the Bomb

But GE says laser enrichment could help US energy security

Clinton: Sanctions Have 'Slowed Down' Iran

First such public comment from Obama admin that they're working

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?