http://www.undergroundpolitics.com/index.php/policy_and_international_politics/bush_saudi_oil_for_nuclear_deal.html"...So Bush got the extra oil he was after, but 300,000 barrels is just a few percent of Saudi Arabia's daily production - it won't have a real impact on global oil availability.
Therefor, the most interesting aspect of this deal is what Bush was willing to offer the Saudis for such a literal "drop in the bucket." Reuters hints at nuclear co-operation, but the WhiteHouse spells it out: "The United States will assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia develop civilian nuclear power." The key is providing enriched uranium so the Saudis won't need to complete the fuel processing cycle themselves.Would the same offer be then made to Iran? Would the U.S. provide Iran with enriched uranium for civilian energy use? Tony Snow claims the offer was already made, and was on the table at least as of February 2007.
With this policy, the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation would indeed be reduced as fewer states have access to the required refining technology (and infrastructure) but it also grants the west and China access to its own energy monopoly, backed by the IAEA and UN Security Council. If you break the deals down to the core component, it is fine if Saudi Arabia and Iran have nuclear power - as long as we get paid some oil for the priveledge.'Embedded links
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL1572317920080516?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080516-1.htmlAlso...
US Nuclear Tech For Saudis
http://www.atlargely.com/2008/06/us-nuclear-tech.htmlMedia Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 16, 2008
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/may/104961.htm"U.S.-Saudi Arabia Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation
Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation. The Government of the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the development of environmentally sustainable, safe, and secure civilian nuclear energy through a series of complementary agreements. Both of our countries face growing energy needs and we seek to address them in a responsible manner that contributes to reducing the effects of greenhouse gases on the global climate.
The United States will assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear energy for use in medicine, industry, and power generation and will help in development of both the human and infrastructure resources in accordance with evolving International Atomic Energy Agency guidance and standards. Saudi Arabia has stated its intent to rely on international markets for nuclear fuel and to not pursue sensitive nuclear technologies, which stands in direct contrast to the actions of Iran.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia became the 71st nation to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. As a partner in this multilateral initiative, Saudi Arabia will work with partner nations to address all aspects of the nuclear terrorism threat, including deterrence, denial of safe havens, detection, material confiscation, and response.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also presented the United States with a diplomatic note endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Saudi Arabia joins more than 85 states participating in the Initiative, which responds to the growing challenge posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery vehicles, and related materials worldwide. PSI participants commit to undertake measures to interdict transfers of WMD related items, exchange relevant information, and strengthen national legal authorities."