Yemen says would like to join Gulf nuclear plans

ADEN, Yemen, Dec 30 (Reuters) Yemen said it was interested in joining a regional nuclear energy programme being studied by neighbouring Gulf Arab states.

The six Gulf Arab states said earlier this month they would study a possible peaceful nuclear programme amid concerns in the West and the region over Iran's nuclear programme.

''We in Yemen support the decision by the ... Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to study the launch of a joint Gulf programme in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,'' state media quoted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh as saying yesterday.

''Yemen is ready and interested to join such a programme,'' Saleh said.

Yemen, one of the poorest Arab countries, has been holding talks to join the GCC, which groups energy producers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

The loose, political and economic alliance approved a Yemeni request in 2002 to gradually enter the GCC, but said it must implement economic and security reforms before it can become a fully fledged member.

Reuters SBA VP0414