Kuwait seeks NATO''s assistance to combat nuclear radiations

Kuwait seeks NATO's assistance to combat nuclear radiations By Yousef Al-Saeedi (with photos) KUWAIT, April 2 (KUNA) -- Deputy Chief of the National Security Apparatus Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah said here on Monday that the state of Kuwait has submitted an official request to the NATO seeking its help in dispatching experts to assess Kuwait's strategy of combating nuclear radiations.
Sheikh Thamer told KUNA that the state of Kuwait was keen on benefiting from the NATO countries' experience to assess its strategy in the field of combating nuclear radiations especially as the Middle East region groups countries that possess nuclear technology.
He added that more than 60 percent of the NATO states had been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear radiations in the former Soviet Union in 1986.
He expected the NATO team would arrive in the coming few days.
Sheikh Thamer pointed out that this strategy comes within the framework of strategies that had been called for by His Highness the Crown Prince and President of the National Security Council, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, for the sake of following up such matters.
He said that ministries of interior, defense, health, National Guards and Civil Defense also take part in this strategy. They have been assigned to monitor and assess nuclear radiation-related issues.
He added the committee has been formed in accordance with a cabinet decision a year ago and is headed by Health Minister Dr Maasouma Al-Mubarak.
He said that all GCC states would work in this respect under the umbrella of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Sheikh Thamer unveiled that Kuwait would soon sign a "Crossing" agreement with the NATO that would allow the NATO troops to cross Kuwait onto Iraq.
He said the signing of the agreement reflects the deep-rooted bilateral ties between Kuwait and NATO.(end) yms.tg KUNA 021624 Apr 07NNNN