The United States has warned Jordan that it will find itself having to pinch the pennies much harder than usual if it refuses an American request to coordinate its nuclear development policy with Israel.
The Hashemite Kingdom is home to one of the largest deposits in the world of uranium ore – at least 65,000 tons – a potential nuclear treasure that would enable Jordan to produce much of its own power and still be able to export electricity to other nations.
But in order to develop the discovery, made in 2007, the Amman government must build a nuclear reactor, for which it has yet to receive a green light from the White House. The reason for the delay: Jordan refuses to include Israel in the extraction of its uranium.
Talks over the issue have dragged on for six months, and Jordan still continues to refuse to cooperate, essentially telling Jerusalem to “mind its own business.” Finally the Amman government last month accused Israel of undermining Jordan's efforts to create a peaceful domestic nuclear energy program.
Losing patience over the issue, the United States told Jordanian officials that if the program continues without coordination with Israel, America will stop underwriting the project.
The United States has provided at least $665 million to the country in foreign aid so far this year alone, according to a report published by Al Bawaba – $360 million of which has been earmarked for military funding, and $360 in economic assistance, said Jaafar Abu Hassan, Jordanian Minister of Planning. The upgraded financial package was intended to continue for a period of four years, Abu Hassan added, but the memoradum was non-binding.