Global Security Newswire

Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi yesterday pledged that his nation would pursue civilian nuclear energy capabilities in full compliance with international standards to act as a "model" for other nations, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported (see GSN, Sept. 20, 2007).

"Jordan, a longstanding member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty [which] ratified as early as 1998 an Additional Protocol, will pursue the nuclear option in full compliance with relevant international treaties and legal obligations and conventions," Dahabi said.

Speaking at the start of a two-day Global Nuclear Energy Partnership meeting in Amman, Dahabi said Jordan must acquire civilian nuclear capabilities because it lacks indigenous power sources and a large water supply.

The U.S. Energy Department and the recently established Jordanian Nuclear Energy Authority organized the conference of the 25-nation group (Deutsche Presse-Agentur/Monsters and Critics, May 14).