Thank you, Mr. Chairman for calling today's hearing to review the proposed U.S. - UAE Agreement approved by President Obama on May 19, 2009.

  On January 15, 2009, former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdallah Bin Zayid Al Nahyan signed a proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, also called the "123 Agreement" named for section 123 b. and section 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.  The Agreement has since been revisited by both governments as our new Administration took office. 

  The Agreement establishes the framework for commerce in civilian nuclear energy; opens new opportunities for U.S. firms to participate in the UAE nuclear energy program and; seeks to advance nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States.  The U.S. - UAE Agreement essentially promises U.S. cooperation on civil nuclear power in return for safeguards against sensitive technology being diverted to a weapons program or other non-NPT countries like Iran.  It will remain in effect for thirty years.  

  Mr. Chairman, my continued concern, like that of some of my colleagues is that even though this Agreement has, in Article 13, a Cessation of Cooperation and Right of Return clause, and explicitly prohibits reprocessing, alteration, and enrichment of uranium and plutonium, as well as prohibits the detonation of a nuclear explosive device, it does not go far enough to encourage the UAE to fully implement its 2007 export control law.  

  In 2006, our own export control policy was tested when information came to light that computer circuits used to make improvised explosive devices (i.e.d.'s) that  wounded and killed U.S. soldiers in Iraq were funneled through the United Arab Emerites(UAE) on to Iran.

  In this respect, the UAE remains a transshipment hub and the seriousness of this reality cannot be stressed enough. 
  
  Mr. Chairman, I look forward to listening to the testimony of Under Secretary Tauscher and would also like to thank her for taking the time to appear before this committee.

  Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.