Venezuela dimisses jitters over nuclear program

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela will pursue plans to develop nuclear technology for its medical, industrial and oil sectors despite regional jitters over possible cooperation with Iran, the science minister said.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a critic of the United States and an ally of communist Cuba, met with wary reactions from South American neighbors last month when he said he could acquire nuclear technology with the possible help of Tehran.

But Science Minister Marlene Yadira Cordova dismissed as "rushed" initial reaction to Venezuela's plan to develop atomic technology with partners such as Iran, which Washington brands as part of an "axis of evil."

"In the scheme of alliances Venezuela has developed, any country where we have the conditions for scientific and technological cooperation in this area could be part of the process," Cordova told Reuters in a recent interview.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050625/wl_nm/venezuela_nuclear_dc_1

is not much choice
Oil is running out, Weather getting real screwy, power still needed
:(