Saudi Arabia urged to agree to nuclear inspections

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050611T220000-0500_82219_OBS_SAUDI_ARABIA_URGED_TO_AGREE_TO_NUCLEAR__INSPECTIONS.asp

VIENNA (AFP) - The United States, Europe and other Western nations are urging Saudi Arabia to agree to full international nuclear inspections, despite Riyadh's desire to sign a protocol that would severely limit investigations by the UN atomic agency, diplomats said yesterday.

The European Union is expected this weekend to make a so-called diplomatic demarche, both in Vienna and Riyadh, asking Saudi Arabia not to sign a protocol - to which it has the right - that would reduce the possibility of inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European diplomats told AFP.

Saudi Arabia, a key state in the tense Middle East, is not believed to be a direct nuclear proliferation threat, but diplomats are seeking to calm fears amid a major test of wills with nearby Iran, which US officials suspect of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

There have also been reports - denied by the Saudis - that in a crisis they could use their financial clout to get nuclear technology, or even weapons, from countries such as Pakistan, which does have nuclear arms.

[mom cat]

1. They could say "We will allow inspections if Isreal does!"

[Zerex71]

2. They have nothing to worry about.

We'd never invade our best friends.