Obama approves UAE civil nuclear deal
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 21 May 2009
US President Barack Obama on Thursday approved a civilian nuclear deal with the UAE, which some observers see as striking a contrast with Iran's defiant nuclear drive.
Obama sent the deal, negotiated by the previous Bush administration to Congress, which must now decide within 90 days whether to block the pact, which provides for US-UAE cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
His memorandum to the secretaries of state and energy, certifying that the deal was in US interests, did not mention US disquiet over a video filmed in the UAE that has raised human rights concerns in Congress.
The State Department has previously expressed concern over the video, but has not made a linkage between it and approval of the nuclear accord.
The UAE government has recently said that the person invovled in the alleged human rights abuse has been put under house arrest.
The deal - which comes even as the US is spearheading a campaign against Iran's nuclear drive - involves the exchange of nuclear materials and components for civilian use.
It is the first such deal between the US and a Middle Eastern nation.
READERS' COMMENTS
Posted by hasan almasawi, abu dhabi, u.a.e on Thursday 21 May 2009 at 13:32 UAE time
large scale solar desalination is technically feasible and that if finance was raised for commercial R & D, civil nuclear deal could provide pure water at a cost comparable to present desalination technologies
Click here to post a comment
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & ECONOMICS
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Energy: Shell delays Qatargas4 project by a year
- Construction & Industry: Abyaar and Lacroix to build Dubai residential tower
- Travel & Hospitality: Gulf Air unveils strategy to save $2.65bn over five years
- Travel & Hospitality: Accor opening two new ibis hotels in region
- Banking & Finance: Abraaj Capital issue is fully subscribed
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
US State Department
- Obama team drafts letter to heal Iran rift
29 Jan '09 | News - Israel PM to quit after September party vote
30 Jul '08 | News




