Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

President Bush approved a proposed nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, finding it would promote common defense and security without unreasonable risk. The Secretary of State was directed to arrange for execution and publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 5095

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication of determination

Key directives

Approve proposed Agreement for Cooperation with UAE concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Authorize Secretary of State to arrange for execution of Agreement
Direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Presidential approval of 123 Agreement
Authorization for Secretary of State to execute agreement
Direction to publish determination in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Agreement execution by Secretary of State
Congressional review period (typically 90 days of continuous session for nuclear cooperation agreements)

Long term

Implementation of nuclear cooperation with UAE
Potential U.S. nuclear exports to UAE
Nonproliferation monitoring and safeguards implementation

Risks & tensions

Nonproliferation concerns given UAE's regional proximity to Iran; agreement includes UAE renunciation of enrichment/reprocessing but verification remains critical
Congressional opposition possible during review period though this determination precedes formal submission
Late-term Bush administration action (January 15, 2009) with incoming Obama administration