Saudi Arabia [2]'s Shoura Council has discussed a national plan to deal with potential radioactive contamination in the Kingdom following warnings of possible attacks on Iran [3]'s nuclear reactors. "The plan to check radiation hazards was discussed by Shoura members, but it will be discussed and reviewed again before being tabled for voting," an unnamed Shoura Council member told Arab News. The King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST) is said to be preparing a contingency plan. (Arab News [4], March 24)
The news comes in the aftermath of a trip to the region by Vice President Dick Cheney [5], in large part to raise support for the White House's hardline position on Iraq. In Iraq, his visit coincided with one by Sen. John McCain [6], accompanied by senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), two top supporters of his presidential ambitions. (AP [7], March 17) Cheney's tour also included a surprise stop in Afghanistan, and scheduled visits to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Israel and the West Bank. Press reports emphasized his discussions on oil prices with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. (Xinhua [8], March 25) In Turkey, he reportedly lectured Prime Minister Erdoğan about the closeness between Ankara and Tehran. (Sabah [9], Turkey, March 23)
What else did Cheney tell King Abdullah? Does he know something we don't? Is McCain in on it?
See our last post on nuclear fear [10].
