사우디, 최초 연구용 원자로 건설 프로젝트 착수 VIDEO: MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN LAUNCHES FIRST SAUDI NUCLEAR PLANT PROJECT AS SANCTIONS BITE ON RIVAL IRAN

MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN LAUNCHES FIRST SAUDI NUCLEAR PLANT PROJECT AS SANCTIONS BITE ON RIVAL IRAN

BY DAVID BRENNAN ON 11/6/18

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has launched the country’s first nuclear power plant project as the kingdom looks to diversify away from its traditional reliance on oil and compete with arch-rival Iran.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured at the Future Investment Initiative FII conference in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on October 24.

사우디, 최초 연구용 원자로 건설 프로젝트 착수 걸프만 아랍 국가 중 두 번째 2032년까지 17.6GW(기가와트) 핵 용량 원자로 건설 핵무기 확산 우려도    사우디아라비아가 최초의 연구용 원자로 건설 프로젝트를 시작했다고 6일(현지 시각) 로이터, 알자지라 등이 보도했다. 원자로 건설 프로젝트에 착수한 건 걸프만 인근 아랍 국가 중 두 번째다. 무함마드 빈살만<사진> 사우디 왕세자는 전날 왕립 과학기술정책자문기관 ‘킹 압둘아지즈 과학기술도시’를 방문해 원자로 건설을 포함한 7가지 과학기술 프로젝트를 시작하기로 했다. 이 프로젝트에는 신재생에너지·담수 기술·유전 의학·항공산업 기술 등이 포함돼 있다. 사우디는 2032년까지 17.6GW(기가와트) 핵 용량에 달하는 원자로를 건설한다는 계획이다. 이는 전 세계에서 가장 큰 프로젝트 중 하나로 꼽힌다. 사우디 당국은 지난 2015년 "향후 20년간 800억달러(약 90조원)를 들여 원자로 총 16기를 짓겠다"는 계획을 발표했다. 구체적인 건설기간과 비용 등은 공개하지 않았다. 사우디 당국은 이런 원자로 건설 사업이 석유·천연가스에 집중된 에너지 구조를 다변화하기 위함이라고 밝혔다. 만약 사우디 정부가 원자로 건설을 성공적으로 마친다면 걸프만에 있는 아랍 국가 중 두 번째로 핵에너지를 갖게 된다. 첫 번째 국가는 아랍에미레이트로, 한국이 설계한 원자로 4기를 건설하고 있다.    Radio Farda edited by kcontents 그러나 이번 원자로 건설 프로젝트가 중동 지역에서 핵무기 확산으로 이어질 것이라는 우려도 있다.  빈살만 왕세자는 이전에 이란이 핵무기 개발에 성공한다면 사우디도 핵무기를 개발할 수밖에 없다고 밝혔다. 그는 지난 3월 미 CBS 방송과의 인터뷰에서 "사우디는 핵폭탄을 원하지 않지만 이란이 핵무기 개발에 성공한다면 사우디도 최대한 빠르게 같은 결과를 낼 것"이라고 했다. 이다비 기자 조선일보 출처 : http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/11/06/2018110602638.html

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Even as President Donald Trump’s administration was re-imposing economic sanctions on Iran for its nuclear research program, Salman was announcing the start of a new era for Saudi Arabia at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in the capital Riyadh.

The crown prince launched seven new strategic projects related to renewable energy, atomic energy, water desalination, genetic medicine and the aircraft industry, Reuters reported. The initiatives are part of the country's bid to transition away from its traditionally oil-focused economy.

The nuclear plant is the first of 16 planned by the Saudis over the next two decades at a cost of $80 billion. The kingdom’s plans have been precipitated by its ongoing regional struggle for influence with Iran—which already has an established nuclear energy program.

Saudi Arabia’s bid to establish an atomic energy industry will be assisted with U.S. investment and advice, though the Trump administration has said it will keep tight control on any efforts to weaponize the research.

Few details about the plant have been released, Radio Free Europe noted, but it is likely to be used for research, development, and education purposes rather than to produce electrical power. The project will be geared toward civilian and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia’s atomic pivot has raised concerns that a nuclear arms race could develop in the Middle East. In March, Salman publicly warned that Riyadh would work to develop atomic weapons if Iran does the same.

Though Trump has since withdrawn from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran, leaders in Tehran are still hopeful the agreement can survive his presidency.

All other signatories to the deal—China, Russia, the European Union, France, Germany and the U.K.—all still back the accord, raising hopes that the restraints it placed on Iranian nuclear research can be maintained.

But the White House believes its punitive sanctions can bring Tehran back to the negotiating table to agree a deal more beneficial to the U.S. Trump wants a new agreement to include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and influence in regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq—concessions Tehran has rejected.

If this fails, reports suggest Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton believe sanctions combined with existing anti-government sentiment could even prompt regime change.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in nuclear research in other countries in the past. It has been suggested that the country’s role in helping Pakistan join the nuclear club was agreed on the basis that the Saudis could buy ready-made bombs from Islamabad if the regional situation deteriorates. Both countries have denied these suggestions.

argaam.com

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Other security sources and reporters have even claimed—without concrete evidence—that Israel is selling nuclear information to the Saudis to ensure Iran does not become the only other regional power with the bomb.

The ruling Saudi royal family is currently facing widespread criticism over the apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the country's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. The suspected involvement of Mohammed bin Salman and the upper echelons of the Saudi government have led to recommendations from some U.S. lawmakers that America should step back from the close relationship that has developed between Washington and Riyadh. 

https://www.newsweek.com/mohammed-bin-salman-launches-first-saudi-nuclear-plant-project-sanctions-bite-1202601

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