MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US supports Argentina's nuclear program, but?

United States respects Argentina's decision to resume production of enriched uranium but also requests assurances that the technology will not be transferred to third countries.

Mara Tekach, Buenos Aires US Embassy spokesperson said Friday that Washington has no objections to the uranium enrichment plans but "demands guarantees that the technology will not be exported", reports the Argentine press.

"United States strongly promotes the extensive use of clean, safe and innocuous nuclear energy. In this context we support Argentina's decision to advance its nuclear program", she underlined.

The short release adds that Argentina is "a strong international ally in issues such as non proliferation and a cooperation associate in the search of peaceful uses for nuclear energy".

But, "we hope that on advancing with its civilian nuclear energy program, Argentina makes sure its actions correspond to the solid credentials of non proliferation shown so far".

Argentina's Foreign Affairs Director for Nuclear Affaire Elsa Kelly is quoted saying that "United States can rest very much at ease. The Argentina political will has always been to respect the principles of non proliferation".

The Argentine press indicates that Washington fears the technology could be transferred to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, which recently became a full member of Mercosur and besides has very close ties with Argentina.

Oil rich and flush in cash Chavez Venezuela has purchased Argentine sovereign bonds, supplied heavy fuel and ordered the construction of several tankers in Buenos Aires ship yards. Argentine has reciprocated with food, live cattle, manufactured goods and technology.

President Nestor Kirchner's administration last week announced a 3.5 billion US dollars nuclear energy development program which includes the building of a fourth nuclear electricity generating plant and resumption of uranium enrichment which was suspended in the eighties following strong international pressures.

Argentina has a nuclear energy plant, Atucha I, which was inaugurated in 1974, the first in Latinamerica plus a second in Embalse in the heart of the country.

A third plant has been under construction since 1981, Atucha II, and is scheduled to be finished between 2010 and 2011.