Emirates officials have acknowledged the potential congressional snag over proliferation worries, and they say the government is "working closely" with lawmakers.
The nuclear deal is about economics as much as security. With limited oil reserves and burgeoning energy needs for its gleaming and rapidly expanding cities, the UAE has been considering investing in nuclear energy technology for years.
"For the [Persian] Gulf, the argument seems to be accepted that nuclear energy should be used to generate power, freeing oil and gas for export," former weapons inspector Hans Blix said at a conference last month in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, according to a report in the National, an English-language daily. "I am fully in favor of oil-rich countries having nuclear reactors."
The federation of kingdoms, led by the royal family in Abu Dhabi, funded a $100-million nuclear commission in line with International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines in March. Some countries see a possible nuclear gold rush in the gulf region.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed a potentially lucrative nuclear cooperation deal with the UAE during a January visit. And U.S. companies stand to earn millions if the nuclear cooperation deal bears fruit.
Early U.S. engagement on the nuclear issue could force other nuclear component suppliers to adhere to higher nonproliferation standards, Albright said.
"The French will probably demand less, and that's why the U.S. should get involved and make sure countries don't undercut it," he said. "If the U.S. doesn't take leadership on this, all the countries will demand less."
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borzou.daragahi@latimes.com
