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Libya claims it's back on track for 'peaceful' nuclear power

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

CAIRO — Libya has reported U.S. agreement to supply the first nuclear power plant to the North African state.

In 2003, Libya agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons and medium-range ballistic missile programs. The United States was said to have been surprised by the progress of Libya's nuclear weapons program, assisted by the nuclear smuggling network of Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Kahn.

Libya's parliament has allowed the Foreign Ministry to sign an agreement for a U.S.-supplied nuclear reactor, a Libyan agency reported, according to Middle East Newsline. Under the accord, Washington would supply a nuclear facility and train Libyans to operate the reactor.

"The agreement aims at establishing a nuclear station in Libya to produce electricity, desalting water, and developing the radiochemistry performance at researches center," the official Libyan news agency, Jana, said.

The United States has not confirmed the Libyan report. The State Department has reported talks with Libya on everything from security to nuclear energy cooperation.

"I'm certainly aware of no plans for the United States to participate in nuclear programs with Libya," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

On March 12, Jana said the draft accord stipulated the U.S. establishment of a nuclear medicine center in Libya. Jana said the facility would serve the entire North African region.

"The General People's Committee [Libyan parliament] authorized the GPC for Liaison and International Cooperation to sign the agreement related to Libyan-American cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Jana said.

The Jana report came nine days after Libyan ruler Moammar Khaddafy said the West failed to compensate Libya for the elimination of its nuclear program. Khaddafy warned that other countries with nuclear ambitions could refuse U.S. offers to end their programs.


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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