Friday September 22, 2006

I've Been Thinking:

The Arab League recently met and paved the way for all members to develop nuclear energy - if they so decide.
Egypt is on board. Egypt wants to expand its nuclear technology.

Egypt already has a small experimental nuclear reactor. Now the Egyptians want to explore ways of using nuclear energy as a clean and inexpensive way to power their country's electricity grid.
The United States Ambassador to Egypt gave his blessing to the endeavor. He said that it is United States policy is to help countries who have signed on to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaties to develop nuclear energy in a clean and safe way. So far, so good.

Here's where it gets tricky.
The Treaties require total transparency. Last year the UN nuclear watchdog raised some issues about the Egyptian reactor.
On the one hand, Egypt is not Iran. On the other hand, Egypt is not a democracy.
This path to nuclear development is inevitable, there is no turning back.
Our job is to guide the process and secure the end product.