WASHINGTON, Dec 12, 2008 -- Xinhua

The Bush administration plans to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the next few weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

It is expected to be first nuclear-cooperation agreement between the United States and a Middle East country, according to the report, the administration also seeks to sign similar pacts with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain.

"This is a real counterexample to what Iran is doing. ... We're seeking commitments from nations within the Middle East that they' re going to rely on the markets for nuclear fuel," the report quoted a senior U.S. official as saying.

The pacts require the United States to share nuclear fuels, technologies and know-how on the condition that the countries commit to abiding by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards, the report said.

The UAE, which pledged to protect against nuclear materials being diverted and accept international inspections, has already signed agreements with two U.S. engineering companies, Thorium Power Ltd and CH2M Hill, to help with develop nuclear power plants, according to the report.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

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