Source:
HaaretzLast update - 21:20 26/05/2009
Bolivia denies Israel report it supplied Iran with uranium
By The Associated Press
Bolivia on Tuesday denied supplying Iran with uranium for its nuclear program, saying it has never produced the metallic element, a key ingredient for nuclear energy and weapons.
Mining Minister Luis Alberto Echazu dismissed allegations made in a secret Israeli government report, saying "there isn't even a geological study (of uranium deposits), much less could there be export of uranium to another country."
The secret Foreign Ministry document, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, says there are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program and that Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran. The reports it refers to are previous Israeli intelligence conclusions.
Bolivia's Foreign Ministry plans to formally respond to the accusation, Echazu said.
Venezuela's government has yet to comment on the report.
"Bolivia has some uranium deposits but they aren't being exploited," mining director Freddy Beltran said in comments published by the Bolivian daily La Razon on Tuesday.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales have built close ties with Iran and opposed Israeli and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Read more:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1088362.html
Here is yesterday's related LBN thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3892328Remember that Venezuela and Bolivia have embarked on a major land reform program that threatens the landed gentry with loss of privileges.
I will also point out that it is legal to sell uranium to signatories of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran is a signatory, Israel, Indian, and France are not.