Gulf states to finalise nuclear plan studies in 18 months

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

DOHA (AFP) — The pro-Western Gulf Arab states expect to finalise studies on a proposed civil nuclear programme within 18 months and start cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog from March, a Gulf official said on Tuesday.

"I expect the required studies to be completed within 18 months," Ahmad Khatayba, who is in charge of nuclear applications in Qatar's higher environment council, told AFP.

"We will set out the terms of reference of the studies in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and then go to international expert firms to compile detailed studies featuring implementation plans ... that meet the Gulf states' needs for 30 years," he said.

Khatayba was speaking at the end of a three-day meeting in Doha of a Gulf Cooperation...