Jordan says it wants peaceful nuclear program

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=4d4673cf-f2cd-4308-8a76-e2ffbfbc31b2&k=99927

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — King Abdullah II said Friday that Jordan wants to develop a peaceful nuclear program, joining Egypt and Arab Gulf countries in considering a nuclear option. Arab countries are fearful over the West’s failure to stop Shiite Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which they worry will lead to Tehran having an atomic weapon.

Arab countries have complained for years about Israel’s nuclear program and reported arsenal, but it never prompted them to seek programs of their own.

But Iran’s progress in building nuclear facilities has sparked a rush among Arab countries to look at programs of their own, raising the possibility of a dangerous proliferation of nuclear technology — or even weapons — in the volatile Middle East.

Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, countries where Sunni Muslims predominate, have expressed concern over Iranian influence in Iraq and Lebanon. Now they fear the mainly Shiite Persian country could develop warheads to back its growing regional power.

[Kagemusha]

1. Jordan wants a lot of things. How can it afford nuclear power though?

I don't see it... Saudi Arabia, ok. They could just buy less arms from the US and pump that money into a nuclear program. Egypt, less so. But Jordan...!? I don't get it.

[NNadir]

2. The question is "how can they not afford nuclear power?"

Nuclear energy is cheaper, safer, and cleaner than any other energy option.

Of course, the West doesn't think that any nation that isn't, well, Western, can be trusted with nuclear power, but actually the West is the problem, since people in the West consume rather mindlessly, while lecturing everyone else.

Whether anyone knows it or not, this is good news. Jordan joings many other similar nations, not just Egypt, but also Nigeria and several other second world nations in pursuing this wise option.