RIYADH, 21 November 2004 — The peaceful uses of nuclear technology will be examined on Dec. 4 at a conference organized by the Arab Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) in Sanaa, Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which has no plans to develop nuclear energy or become a nuclear power, will take part in this high-profile forum.
On behalf of the Kingdom, senior scientists of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) will participate in the five-day scientific event.
The Saudi participants will exchange views with their counterparts from other Arab states on a range of subjects related to nuclear energy in medicine and industry.
Dr. Ahmed Ali Basfar, director of KACST’s Atomic Energy Research Center, and Dr. Jameel Abdulqader Hefne, head of the KACST’s Applied Nuclear Science Center, said the talks will focus on a range of issues including the commission’s future agenda.
Hefne, who will present a research paper on “Elemental and isotopic analyses of human teeth pulp,” pointed out many delegates and experts from the Arab League countries will participate in the event. The AAEC member states also include Jordan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria and Sudan.
Hefne said another KACST expert, Ali Baghadi, will also participate.
The Kingdom has been working on many research projects to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear technology. It has drafted new rules and regulations for handling radioactive materials, including import, transportation and disposal.
KACST runs a network of radiation monitoring stations to measure both natural and manmade radioactivity. An expansion of the existing network of stations from 15 to 30 is planned within next 18 months. Riyadh has imposed tighter restrictions for nuclear technology in industries, hospitals and nuclear medicine centers.
“Moreover, the Kingdom has in place an emergency plan to safeguard its people and environment against any mishap or high radiation doses,” KACST recently reported. The emergency plan will be immediately activated in cooperation with government agencies in the event of any radiation accident.
However, there is little chance for a nuclear catastrophe in the Kingdom, which has no atomic reactors, installations or facilities. Asked about the conference agenda, Hefne said participants will discuss the uses of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
They will focus on applied nuclear research for industries and health institutions.
The delegates will also discuss irradiation processes for treating raw materials used by industry to improve their properties and cost-effectiveness.
“The peace-loving Arab states have never tried to become nuclear weapons states and have always refrained from undertaking weaponization or deploying missiles,” Basfar said.
