Kuwait to establish nuclear energy commission
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
KUWAIT CITY, March 3 (AFP): The cabinet of the Gulf state of Kuwait yesterday approved legislation to establish a national commission for nuclear energy uses, an official statement said.
The commission, to be headed by the prime minister, will design policies needed for a peaceful nuclear programme in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, a statement by the cabinet said.
The legislation must be passed by parliament and signed by the emir to become effective.
Last month, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said that a French firm was studying a plan by the Gulf state for a civilian nuclear programme to produce power.
He did not name the company but French state-controlled Areva is one of the world's largest manufacturers of nuclear power reactors.
Sheikh Sabah also said the purpose of the programme is to generate power to "save large quantities of fuel being consumed by power and water desalination plants."
Kuwait is a member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which has decided to develop a joint nuclear technology programme for peaceful use under international rules.
Besides Kuwait, the group includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The commission, to be headed by the prime minister, will design policies needed for a peaceful nuclear programme in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, a statement by the cabinet said.
The legislation must be passed by parliament and signed by the emir to become effective.
Last month, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said that a French firm was studying a plan by the Gulf state for a civilian nuclear programme to produce power.
He did not name the company but French state-controlled Areva is one of the world's largest manufacturers of nuclear power reactors.
Sheikh Sabah also said the purpose of the programme is to generate power to "save large quantities of fuel being consumed by power and water desalination plants."
Kuwait is a member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which has decided to develop a joint nuclear technology programme for peaceful use under international rules.
Besides Kuwait, the group includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.