Jordan, France sign nuclear energy deal

Posted 05 31 2008 7:35PM

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan and France signed an agreement on Friday to help the Arab kingdom develop its nuclear energy program.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Jordanian counterpart, Salaheddine al-Bashir, announced the deal in Amman. The agreement calls on France to help create nuclear reactors to be used for electricity production and desalination of sea water.

France will also train Jordanian nuclear scientists and help in uranium extraction, according to the agreement. Uranium is abundant in the desert country.

Jordanian Nuclear Energy Commissioner Khaled Toukan told reporters that "an executive protocol" will be signed between the two nation's within a month, to follow up Friday's agreement.

Iran's controversial nuclear program has prompted a slew of Mideast countries, including Egypt, Turkey and several Gulf Arab countries, to announce plans of their own — in part simply to blunt Tehran's rising regional influence.

Despite the declarations of peaceful intentions, there are worries the countries could be taking the first steps toward a dangerous proliferation in the volatile Mideast.