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Brazilâs commitment to nonproliferation under suspicion
Friday, April 16, 2004 Posted: 1:06 PM EDT (1706 GMT) Brazilâs refusal to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to fully inspect one of its nuclear facilities has heightened suspicions about its commitment to nonproliferation. Although Brazil signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1997 and said its nuclear program has peaceful objectives, suspicions over its commitment have simmered for more than a year. They came to a head last week after the government confirmed that IAEA inspectors were denied access in February and March to uranium-enrichment centrifuges at a facility under construction in Resende, near Rio de Janeiro. It cited the need to protect industrial secrets and said the centrifuges were, and will remain, off-limits for visual inspection. Science and Technology Minister Eduardo Campos told The Associated Press that Brazil had invested close to US$1 billion and years of research to develop its uranium-enrichment technology. He said the performance of Brazilian centrifuges was 30 percent more efficient than those found in other countries. (cont.) Isnât it about time to fire a shot across Brazilâs bow? Their participation in the 2005 Free Trade Area of the Americas should be suspended as with any new IMF monetary infusions until Brazil complies with all IAEA inspections in a comprehensive manner. Brazilâs huge deposits of uranium are a tempting source of hard currency for this economic cesspool. Any attempts by them to freely market fissile material must be met with adamant opposition and stringent oversight. Posted by: Zenster 2004-04-16 |
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