Argentine, Brazil presidents pledge to pursue peaceful nuclear energy cooperation

[Judi Lynn]

Source: International Herald Tribune/Associated Press

Argentine, Brazil presidents pledge to pursue peaceful nuclear energy cooperation
The Associated Press
Published: February 22, 2008

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: The presidents of Argentina and Brazil agreed Friday to create a commission on pursuing joint uranium enrichment for peaceful nuclear energy purposes.

In a declaration spanning energy, transport and space satellite cooperation, Cristina Fernandez of Argentina and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil instructed their governments to begin negotiations with the next 120 days toward creating the binational commission.

The agreement did not give specifics on the body, but the presidents said they would convene a conference of experts before May to discuss strategy.

"The strategic alliance between Argentina and Brazil is of the utmost importance," Silva told Fernandez after their talks in the Argentine capital, reaffirming strong ties between his leftist government and her center-left ruling coalition.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/22/america/LA-GEN-Argentina-Brazil-Nuclear-Energy.php

[Judi Lynn]

1. Argentina, Brazil to build joint uranium enrichment plant

Argentina, Brazil to build joint uranium enrichment plant
23/02/2008 05h13

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Presidents Cristina Kirchner, of Argentina, and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, of Brazil, on Friday agreed to set up a joint uranium enrichment company to build a power-generating nuclear reactor to serve both countries.

"It will be a binational holding and each country will initially work with their own nuclear technology," Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorin, who is accompanying Lula on his official visit here, told a press conference.

Kirchner and Lula met for an hour at the Casa Rosada (Pink House), the Argentine presidential palace, where they discussed a series of bilateral projects and later signed agreements on nuclear, aeronautics and energy cooperation.

Amorin stressed that the joint-enrichment program will be dedicated exclusively to peaceful, power generating purposes to the benefit of the two neighbors. He did not elaborate further.

Argentina is the first South American country with a nuclear power industry. It currently boasts of two nuclear plants, with a third under construction, and also exports nuclear technology.

More:
http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/newsmlmmd.a372e599e122e65516210ab569bfb6a0.1b1.html