U.S. to monitor Venezuelan-Russian agreement on nuclear power "very closely"

2010-10-16 10:19:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The United States will "watch very closely" after a new nuclear deal between Venezuela and Russia was announced in Moscow on Friday, the U.S. State Department said.

"This is something that we will watch very closely," said U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley. "As we've said in the context of all countries that are signatories to the Nonproliferation Treaty, they have rights and they have responsibilities."

"Any new nuclear program or activity should be conducted in accordance with the highest standards of nonproliferation, safety, and security, including IAEA safeguards," Crowley said.

"It is certainly a right of any country to pursue civilian nuclear energy, but with that right comes responsibilities and we would expect Venezuela, Russia, or any other country pursuing this kind of technology to meet all international obligations," he added.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met in Moscow on Friday as part of Chavez's international tour which includes official visits to Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Syria and Portugal.

The leaders signed an agreement during the meeting which involves the construction of a nuclear power plant in the South American country. The countries also signed an agreement in which Russia will supply 35 additional tanks to Venezuela.

In April, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Caracas in Venezuela in which the two countries initially reached the agreements on the nuclear power plant. Chavez has previously stated that Venezuela was entering the "road of nuclear energy."

"Needless to say, but I will say for peaceful purposes, of course," Chavez stressed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-16

ahhh, the USA ...

ahhh, the USA ...

ahh, Russia. The Ukraine. Georgia. The gulags. Shall I go on?

Edited October 16, 201015 yr by Jingthing

ahhh, the USA ...

ahh, Russia. The Ukraine. Georgia. The gulags. The Shall I go on?

Ohhhh, The American ...

Yawn.

Seriously, you don't think nuclear programs should be monitored? Venezuela is in the USA's neighborhood, you bet your sweet Russkie bippy Chavez will be watched with an eagle eye. It would be reckless not to.

Edited October 16, 201015 yr by Jingthing