Mr Chavez has backed Iran's assertion that its nuclear program is purely to produce energy, despite Israel's contention that Iran is building atomic weapons. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LA PAZ (Bolivia) - BOLIVIA on Tuesday denied supplying uranium to Iran, while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dismissed Israeli allegations that the two countries have been aiding Teheran's nuclear program.
Bolivian Mining Minister Luis Alberto Echazu said his country doesn't even produce the radioactive metallic element, though he acknowledged that officials believe the country has some untapped uranium deposits.
A secret Israeli Foreign Ministry report, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, cites previous Israeli intelligence assessments saying 'there are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program' and that 'Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran.'
Mr Chavez didn't directly deny the Israeli report's assertion, but he has often joked that critics want to make it appear Venezuela and Iran are producing an 'atomic bicycle' together. Iran is helping to produce bicycles and tractors in the South American country among various joint projects.
Bolivian Presidential Minister Juan Ramon Quintana called Israel's intelligence agency incompetent 'clowns.' Bolivia's Foreign Ministry plans to issue a formal response to the accusation, Mr Echazu said.
Mr Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales have built close ties with Iran and have fiercely opposed Israeli and US foreign policy in the Middle East. Both Venezuela and Bolivia broke off ties with Israel in January to protest its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Chavez has backed Iran's assertion that its nuclear program is purely to produce energy, despite Israel's contention that Iran is building atomic weapons.
Israel's three-page report about Iranian activities in Latin America was prepared before a visit to the region by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who plans to attend a meeting of the Organisation of American States in Honduras next week. The report did not specify where the uranium allegedly supplied by the two countries originated.
The US State Department declined to comment, referring questions to Israeli officials. It did say that the US is watching closely for any violations of UN resolutions that bar countries from selling sensitive material to Iran. -- AP
Bolivian Mining Minister Luis Alberto Echazu said his country doesn't even produce the radioactive metallic element, though he acknowledged that officials believe the country has some untapped uranium deposits.
A secret Israeli Foreign Ministry report, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, cites previous Israeli intelligence assessments saying 'there are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program' and that 'Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran.'
Mr Chavez didn't directly deny the Israeli report's assertion, but he has often joked that critics want to make it appear Venezuela and Iran are producing an 'atomic bicycle' together. Iran is helping to produce bicycles and tractors in the South American country among various joint projects.
Bolivian Presidential Minister Juan Ramon Quintana called Israel's intelligence agency incompetent 'clowns.' Bolivia's Foreign Ministry plans to issue a formal response to the accusation, Mr Echazu said.
Mr Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales have built close ties with Iran and have fiercely opposed Israeli and US foreign policy in the Middle East. Both Venezuela and Bolivia broke off ties with Israel in January to protest its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Chavez has backed Iran's assertion that its nuclear program is purely to produce energy, despite Israel's contention that Iran is building atomic weapons.
Israel's three-page report about Iranian activities in Latin America was prepared before a visit to the region by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who plans to attend a meeting of the Organisation of American States in Honduras next week. The report did not specify where the uranium allegedly supplied by the two countries originated.
The US State Department declined to comment, referring questions to Israeli officials. It did say that the US is watching closely for any violations of UN resolutions that bar countries from selling sensitive material to Iran. -- AP
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment