Showing consideration

by Walid M. Sadi

When Israel finds it essential to distribute potassium iodine tablets to its citizens living in the vicinity of its Dimona nuclear plant as a protective measure in case things take a turn for the worse and there is a radiation leak, why don't we, in Jordan, do the same?

Is it prudent to wait until a nuclear catastrophe befalls Dimona and its vicinity before we act and start taking effective measures to protect our people from radiation?

The nuclear plant is very close to our border, in the south of the country, and whatever health hazards may exist in and around Dimona they automatically affect the health of the people there. While radiation levels across the country are reported to be within the safe range, nothing can prevent them from escalating to dangerous levels should the plant suddenly start leaking radiation, knowing it is already too old or that the region is prone to earthquakes.

Minister of State and spokesperson Asma Khader has recently comforted Jordanians, telling them that there are no imminent dangers from Dimona and that the salt we use contains iodine.

I feel that this official response is not adequate and not commensurate with the potential dangers posed by the ageing plant.

There is pressing need for more straightforward and candid response from authorities on the health hazards Dimona may pose to Jordanians. The least we should do is to follow the Israeli lead and distribute iodine pills to the people residing in the immediate vicinity of the plant. This would be the prudent thing to do under the circumstances. Meanwhile, we should impress on Israel to be a bit more forthcoming with us on Dimona. Jordanian lives are just as precious as Israeli lives. International law and the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty are on our side. Otherwise, we may have to consider raising the entire file of Dimona to the appropriate international agencies, including the IAEA, for an appropriate consideration and resolution.

Sunday, August 29, 2004