Posted on 11/19/2007 5:29:51 AM PST by DeaconBenjamin
Jordanian King Abdullah II, 45, discusses this week's election in his desert state, war and peace in the Middle East and Amman's desire to establish a civilian atomic energy program.
SPIEGEL: For some time now, many Arab countries have been talking about their desire to start a nuclear program. Why has that happened all of a sudden?
Abdullah: Take a look at the price of oil. This is not anything new. Countries such as Jordan have been talking to the West about the use of nuclear energy for two, three years. The price of oil is a major economic hurdle in Jordan, so I think we need to move quickly. Of course, all of this must be transparent and in agreement with the relevant international organizations. I hope that none of the countries in the Middle East are planning anything but the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.
SPIEGEL: Iran, too?
Abdullah: Not the Arab countries, in any case. Iran, I believe, does have aspirations to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranians themselves are saying that. But we have to avoid any ambiguity. After all, Jordan already has one neighbor with nuclear capabilities.
SPIEGEL: Israel, which has not officially admitted that it has nuclear weapons.
Abdullah: I think we need to have transparency from all the countries in the region. For the safety of all of us.
SPIEGEL: Do you have a concrete schedule for your nuclear program?
Abdullah: We're fortunate to be sitting on 3 percent of the world's uranium reserves, and we have very high quality uranium here in Jordan. That makes nuclear energy all the more interesting for us. So, yes, we do have a nuclear program, and we'll probably do it through the private sector.
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
That's not what they say to us. I wonder if the king is telling us something the Iranians don't want us to hear.
To be accurate: That's not what the MSM is reporting they say to us.
Good point.
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