Gold9472
06-25-2005, 09:28 AM
Venezuela dimisses jitters over nuclear program
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=8891163
(Gold9472: AHAHAHAHHA... Nuclear arms for EVERYBODY!!!)
By Patrick Markey
Sat Jun 25, 2005 02:50 AM ET
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela will pursue plans to develop nuclear technology for its medical, industrial and oil sectors despite regional jitters over possible cooperation with Iran, the science minister said.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a critic of the United States and an ally of communist Cuba, met with wary reactions from South American neighbors last month when he said he could acquire nuclear technology with the possible help of Tehran.
But Science Minister Marlene Yadira Cordova dismissed as "rushed" initial reaction to Venezuela's plan to develop atomic technology with partners such as Iran, which Washington brands as part of an "axis of evil."
"In the scheme of alliances Venezuela has developed, any country where we have the conditions for scientific and technological cooperation in this area could be part of the process," Cordova told Reuters in a recent interview.
"It could be used for industry and for continued medical uses, which the country needs to support hospitals... and the third element is for energy for the oil industry," she said.
Venezuela has backed Iran in its dispute with the United States and Europe over Tehran's nuclear program. U.S. officials accuse Iran of secretly working to produce nuclear arms, but Tehran says the program is only for civilian energy uses.
Chavez said in May that Venezuela and other Latin American countries such as Brazil and Argentina could develop nuclear energy as an alternative power source.
But Brazil said it would likely not cooperate with Venezuela on nuclear energy projects involving Iran. A Brazilian government official described possible Iranian involvement as "risky" and pointed to Brazil's energy projects with Argentina and the United States.
Chavez, a former soldier who has promised to fight poverty, says his "new socialism" counters U.S. policies in Latin America and he has strengthened ties with Iran, Russia and Cuba to move away from a traditional reliance on Washington.
The firebrand Venezuelan leader says U.S. officials are plotting to oust him. Washington dismisses his charges, but portrays Chavez as a troublemaker in South America.
Cordova said Venezuela had closed down its RV1 nuclear reaction more than 10 years ago and recently converted it to the Pegamma irradiation plant for industrial and medical uses and for scientific study.
"We should within the next two years start building at least one other irradiation plant," she said.
The minister said that technology could be used for food sterilization and medical purposes. She said in the longer term Venezuela would study possible use of nuclear energy in the processing and production of its vast petroleum reserves.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=8891163
(Gold9472: AHAHAHAHHA... Nuclear arms for EVERYBODY!!!)
By Patrick Markey
Sat Jun 25, 2005 02:50 AM ET
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela will pursue plans to develop nuclear technology for its medical, industrial and oil sectors despite regional jitters over possible cooperation with Iran, the science minister said.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a critic of the United States and an ally of communist Cuba, met with wary reactions from South American neighbors last month when he said he could acquire nuclear technology with the possible help of Tehran.
But Science Minister Marlene Yadira Cordova dismissed as "rushed" initial reaction to Venezuela's plan to develop atomic technology with partners such as Iran, which Washington brands as part of an "axis of evil."
"In the scheme of alliances Venezuela has developed, any country where we have the conditions for scientific and technological cooperation in this area could be part of the process," Cordova told Reuters in a recent interview.
"It could be used for industry and for continued medical uses, which the country needs to support hospitals... and the third element is for energy for the oil industry," she said.
Venezuela has backed Iran in its dispute with the United States and Europe over Tehran's nuclear program. U.S. officials accuse Iran of secretly working to produce nuclear arms, but Tehran says the program is only for civilian energy uses.
Chavez said in May that Venezuela and other Latin American countries such as Brazil and Argentina could develop nuclear energy as an alternative power source.
But Brazil said it would likely not cooperate with Venezuela on nuclear energy projects involving Iran. A Brazilian government official described possible Iranian involvement as "risky" and pointed to Brazil's energy projects with Argentina and the United States.
Chavez, a former soldier who has promised to fight poverty, says his "new socialism" counters U.S. policies in Latin America and he has strengthened ties with Iran, Russia and Cuba to move away from a traditional reliance on Washington.
The firebrand Venezuelan leader says U.S. officials are plotting to oust him. Washington dismisses his charges, but portrays Chavez as a troublemaker in South America.
Cordova said Venezuela had closed down its RV1 nuclear reaction more than 10 years ago and recently converted it to the Pegamma irradiation plant for industrial and medical uses and for scientific study.
"We should within the next two years start building at least one other irradiation plant," she said.
The minister said that technology could be used for food sterilization and medical purposes. She said in the longer term Venezuela would study possible use of nuclear energy in the processing and production of its vast petroleum reserves.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.