Global Security Newswire

In briefing notes for their nation's top diplomat, Canadian officials raised the potential for Saudi Arabia to pursue nuclear arms, and the concerns could factor significantly into prospects for any atomic trade between the countries, Postmedia News reported on Monday.

Riyadh aspires to construct 16 atomic reactors within two decades at a cost exceeding $80 billion, according to the news service. China, France and South Korea have already completed civilian nuclear cooperation arrangements with the Middle Eastern nation.

"Minimal (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards are in place in SA [Saudi Arabia] to verify peaceful uses of nuclear energy ... and it has refused to accept strengthened safeguards," Canadian government personnel said in an assessment prepared for Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird before he traveled to the Persian Gulf region last March.

“Many observers question SA's nuclear intentions, especially if Iran were to acquire a nuclear weapons capability,” the document states. “As a result, SA does not meet Canada’s requirements for nuclear cooperation.”