U.S. to Partner with United Arab Emirates for Nuclear Energy Plant, Pending Congressional Approval-


The White House recently confirmed that President Obama has granted an agreement which will financially assist a nuclear energy program in the United Arab Emirates. However, the agreement still requires Congressional reviewing in order to receive full clearance for funding. President George W. Bush set up the initial arrangement in the last term of his administration and left it for Obama to push through Congress. Obama’s administration sees the proposition as a way to deter the production of nuclear weapons throughout countries in the Middle East; concerned that, without the vigilance of America, any nuclear program set in place by their corrupt governments would actually disguise nuclear weapon construction schemes. The agreement has been put on hold for weeks as a scandal broke out over an illicit video stolen from the UAE which showed a member of the royal family brutally assaulting an Afghan businessman with a cattle prod, cigarette lighter and wooden planks over a reported business dispute. The tape, which is about five years old, was shown at the House Human Rights Commission last week. According to the UAE government, the royal sheikh was brought into custody this month awaiting the outcome of an extensive criminal investigation.

Under the proposed settlement, the United Arab Emirates agrees not to supplement uranium to operate its nuclear plants or recycle spent nuclear fuel; as those are critical steps in assembling weapon grade ammunition. In exchange for this deal, the UAE can purchase fuel and other resources needed for its nuclear energy facilities from U.S. companies. The United Arab Emirates also gave consent to thorough international examination of nuclear energy plants to prove that they are not involved in any illegal activities. Numerous additional countries in the Middle East are reportedly trying to employ nuclear energy plants throughout the area, which U.S. officials believe can be a beneficial business arrangement for all involved. In a memorandum announced today by the White House, Obama said he has concluded the union will “promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.” However, countless lawmakers and non-proliferation specialists are concerned that the treaty doesn’t contain enough stringent precautionary measures and, while they don’t think the UAE will construct a nuclear weapon, they are concerned about the safety of other nations in the area. Regardless of opinionated public officials, the contract will go through Congress for a 90 day approval period and will be put into action after that point – dependent upon sanction from both chambers.