THE development of nuclear technology in the Gulf could put the region's countries more at risk of terrorist attacks, says a leading security expert.
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) senior fellow for non-proliferation Mark Fitzpatrick warned that tough safety measures must be put in place before the GCC nations consider introducing a nuclear power grid.
"Any large infrastructure, oil rigs or chemical plants would be a target for terrorists and it would be important to protect them," said Mr Fitzpatrick, who is attending the Manama Dialogue security conference.
"There are various physical protection measures and standards that nations should adopt (if they set up nuclear power plants).
"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has promulgated safety standards to protect against any kind of attack on a plant or against internal sabotage."
Mr Fitzpatrick said there was no reason for any country to be denied the chance to obtain nuclear power, unless they intended to develop weapons.
"There is every concern about weapons falling into the wrong hands," he told the GDN.
"It is one of the concerns about Iran. If it had nuclear weapons it probably would not purposely give them to terrorists but the danger of them falling into the wrong hands is very great."
Mr Fitzpatrick said nuclear weapons could be used to inflict mass casualties and negotiating with those possessing them would be far more difficult than dealing with a country.
"The possibility of using that weapon or threatening to use that weapon is greater," he said. "Even the threat of using a nuclear weapon can have a devastating impact on the nations of this region." Mr Fitzpatrick dismissed that America's position towards Iran's nuclear ambitions amounted to double-standards when other countries, such as Israel, were allowed to obtain weapons capability without objection.
"One might wish that no nation had nuclear weapons capability and most nations have subscribed to a nuclear-free world," said the expert, who worked for the US State Department for 26 years. "A good place to start towards that objective is not to have any expansion of nuclear weapons programme."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir yesterday categorically denied suggestions that the country's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.
Speaking at a Press conference on the sidelines, he said the authorities were doing everything they could to protect their facilities.
"Pakistan's nuclear assets are in extremely tight institutionalised control," he said. "They are in very safe custody. Our command and control of our nuclear assets is much better and more institutionalised than anywhere in the Mideast."
