U.S., Jordan Sign Civilian Nuclear Accord

The United States has agreed to help Jordan develop its nuclear energy capabilities, the Associated Press reported Monday (see GSN, May 18).

U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman signed the memorandum of understanding with Jordanian Scientific Research Minister Khaled Toukan during the International Atomic Energy Agency governing board meeting in Vienna.

The pact says “the two countries will work together to develop requirements for appropriate power reactors, fuel service arrangements, civilian training, nuclear safety, energy technology and other related areas,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

Toukan said in August that by 2030, 30 percent of Jordan’s energy would come from nuclear power sources.  The surge in power production would make Jordan a supplier of energy for other countries, a study by his ministry found.

As Iran continues to confront the West over its controversial nuclear activities, which U.S. officials and others suspect are aimed at nuclear weapons development, Jordan and other predominantly Sunni Arab nations have moved to develop civilian nuclear programs.

Jordan has signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and has urged countries in the Middle East to eliminate WMD stockpiles (Associated Press/CBS News, Sept. 17).

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