| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 24, 2008 U.S.-Bahraini Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation
Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation. As President Bush and Secretary Rice have stated on several occasions, nuclear power will be an increasingly important clean energy source throughout the world as states strive to meet growing energy needs while at the same time controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a tangible expression of the United States’ desire to cooperate with states in the Middle East, and elsewhere, that want to develop peaceful nuclear power in a manner consistent with the highest standards of safety, security and nonproliferation and thereby serve as models for the responsible pursuit of the benefits of nuclear technology. This MOU reflects Bahrain’s commitment to serve as a model in the region. In particular, Bahrain affirmed its intention to forgo sensitive fuel cycle technologies and rely on existing international markets for nuclear fuel. This stands in direct contrast to Iran’s nuclear activities. This approach was emphasized in the Joint Declaration on Nuclear Energy and Nonproliferation, issued by Presidents Bush and Putin on July 3, 2007. As a further demonstration of Bahrain’s commitment to ensuring that sensitive nuclear-related materials stay out of the hands of the most dangerous individuals, Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid provided Secretary Rice with a diplomatic note endorsing the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Bahrain is the 67th nation to join the Initiative, which is an action-oriented, flexible network of partner nations working to address all aspects of the nuclear terrorism threat, including deterrence, denial, detection, material confiscation, and response. More information about the Joint Declaration on Nuclear Energy and Nonproliferation is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070703.html. More information about the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism is available at http://www.state.gov/t/isn/c18406.htm. 2008/218 |
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