UAE | Government

Nuclear Iran could upset regional balance of power

The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran poses the most immediate threat to regional stability, according to officials speaking at a Nuclear Energy Conference that opened in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

  • By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
  • Published: 23:35 November 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Shaikh Khalifa on Monday received British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
  • Image Credit: WAM

Abu Dhabi: The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran poses the most immediate threat to regional stability, according to officials speaking at a Nuclear Energy Conference that opened in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, delivered a keynote address stressing the importance of pressuring Iran to come clean with its nuclear ambitions.

"A nuclear armed Iran would be a decisive blow against those seeking to promote pragmatic and peaceful solutions to the region's problems.

"The consequent nuclear arms race would be very dangerous. The acquisition of a nuclear weapon would strengthen Tehran's regional position, injecting its attempts to stoke up division and promote instability with much greater confidence."

On another note, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, reiterated the UAE was committed to a peaceful nuclear programme.

"By 2020 we will have a shortfall of 15,000 megawatts. Nuclear energy is the best option to cover that shortfall," Gargash said. "We will insist on safety and security because after all we can not afford anything else but that," the minister added.

Dr Gargash told the conference that the UAE's nuclear energy programme would be a "model for openness and transparency".

The UAE Government published in April a policy document evaluating the potential development of a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

The document stresses the UAE's commitment to "operational transparency" and pursuit of "highest standards of non-proliferation".

Meanwhile, the British minister rule out military action against Iran. He said the pressure "we are applying to Iran, the sanctions we have supported in both the EU and the UN, are not an attempt at regime change. And nor are they a precursor to military action.

"There is much that the Arab countries could do to counter Tehran's claims that their quest for greater influence and their nuclear programme enjoys tacit support in the region. 2009 is the year when we need to work on these issues together," he said.

Dr Hans Blix, former United Nations weapons inspector, said nuclear power reactors do not increase the risk of a further spread of nuclear weapons.

"However, the construction of facilities to enrich uranium do pose certain risks and should be discouraged through reliable arrangements for the supply of fuel and disposal of spent fuel. This is particularly desirable in areas of tension, such as the Middle East," he said.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. UAE committed to peaceful N-program

    We will insist on regional safety and security, minister says

  2. Nuclear conference begins in Abu Dhabi

    Nuclear conference begins in Abu Dhabi

    Nuclear Energy Conference begins in Abu Dhabi

  3. Keep nuclear arms out of the region

    Keep nuclear arms out of the region

More from UAE Government

  1. Committee plans for National Day

  2. Mohammad approves federal demographic body

  3. Colombia seeks stronger ties with UAE

  4. Full text of Shaikh Mohammad's speech

All articles in Government

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Readers' pictures
Your pictures

Readers' pictures

The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather