RIYADH, MAY 21, SPA -- SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ARAB GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) ABDULRAHMAN AL-ATIYYAH SAID TODAY THE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE GCC WORKING TEAM WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) FOR CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE USAGE OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES MIGHT TAKE SIX MONTHS. IN A PRESS STATEMENT, HE SAID THE GCC MEMBER STATES ARE KEEN ON THE USAGE OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES THROUGH IAEA IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITY WHICH IS CONCERNED WITH SUCH ISSUES. HE NOTED THAT THE GCC WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS OF A PEACEFUL NATURE BECAUSE THE REGION IS WITNESSING SWIFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS. "THERE IS A NEED TO USE NUCLEAR ENERGY IN THE FIELDS OF ELECTRIC AND WATER DESALINATION IN PARTICULAR," HE ADDED.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/451769