Regional concern at Iran's nuclear safety re-affirmed

Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, member of the UN-affiliated Elders' Council, has called for placing Iranian nuclear reactors under international supervision for safety purposes. Peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program "does not mean that there is no possibility that a leakage may occur and contaminate the Arabian Gulf waters," said Sheikh Dr. Mohammad, addressing a seminar held here late on Wednesday. The former foreign minister of Kuwait indicated that a number of most advanced nations has witnessed accidents at nuclear sites, alluding in part to the famous Chernobyl reactor accident that left scores of deaths and extensive damage. He also cited the recent nuclear disaster in Japan. Kuwait entirely depends on the Gulf waters and any nuclear contamination of these waters will result in depriving the country of the major source of water, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad warned, noting that Kuwait had to struggle to cleanse its environment when the occupation forces of Iraq set afire its oil installations in the 90s. Kuwait along with the other GCC states have repeatedly expressed concern at safety of the Iranian Bushaher nuclear plant. Turning to the issue of sustainable development, Sheikh Mohammad said this issue affect regional and international security. Each country of the world is facing mounting and complex challenges in the sectors of energy, food and water security, in addition to natural disasters, draught and famine, the ex-foreign minister said, also alluding to other major problems namely mass immigration and unemployment. The United Nations can play a major role in tackling such crises, he opined, stressing need for taking measures to avert environmental catastrophes. He cautioned that currently-implemented policies by nations of the world would lead to further economic instability, slow growth and deepening flaws in states' economic structures. The world population is forecast to grow from 7.2 billion to 11 billion in two decades' time, he said, noting that such dramatic increase of the earth inhabitants would be seen, particularly, in the South, thus problems such as poverty and hunger would deepen. Such challenges and problems can be dealt with by means of development in the information, communication, alternative eneregy and hereditary engineering, he said. The last night seminar was also addressed by Bahraini Minister of Culture Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa. It was attended by Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa, Minister of Information Samira Rajab and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Kuwaiti Ambassador Sheikh Azzam Al-Sabah, along with a number of Arab diplomats.