Jordan Times
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Jordan has ‘pillars’ of
nuclear programme — Shraideh
AMMAN (Petra) — The government on Saturday said the country possesses “the
pillars” needed to develop its proposed nuclear energy programme.
In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Minister of Energy and
Mineral Resources Khalid Shraideh said the country is estimated to have 80,000
tonnes of uranium, while phosphate reserves also contain 100,000 tonnes of
uranium.
He noted, however, that the Kingdom first needs to put in place the necessary
legislation and build the required manpower capacity.
Two bills on atomic energy, as well as the safety and protection from nuclear
radiation that will lay the legal foundation for developing a peaceful nuclear
programme, are currently in Parliament.
The nuclear energy law paves the way for the establishment of an independent
nuclear energy commission headquartered in Amman, with branches in other cities.
Its duties, according to the bill, include transferring the technology of the
peaceful use of nuclear energy, setting up investment projects in the field of
nuclear energy and utilising the projects for electricity generation and water
desalination, as well as in the agriculture sector and medical industry among
others.
The commission will establish research centres to develop nuclear programmes and
be responsible for putting technical terms of reference for mining nuclear
material such as uranium and thorium.
The safety and protection from nuclear radiation draft law allows for the
establishment of an independent commission directly linked to the Prime
Ministry, to supervise and monitor the use of nuclear energy.
The commission will also be tasked with protecting the environment and humans
from nuclear radiation.
The Lower House is scheduled to discuss amendments introduced by the Senate to
the bills during today’s session.
The Senate added an article to the draft nuclear law, under which the Nuclear
Commission will be entitled to dispose of nuclear waste.
The plant is forecast to be up and running by 2015.
Shraideh said the government had contacted the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) for assistance in exploration of uranium in the Kingdom and to
carry out a feasibility study for building a nuclear reactor.
During a meeting with UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammad Al Baradei last month,
His Majesty King Abdullah said Jordan would set an example to other countries in
the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The King said the IAEA’s support for the Kingdom, including technical assistance
and development of human capabilities, would guarantee its success.
Jordan joins other regional countries, such as Gulf countries, Egypt and Turkey,
who have all said they are studying the feasibility of building civilian
programmes for generating electricity with nuclear reactors.