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Libya says US to help build nuclear power plant
AFP
TRIPOLI
Petroleumworld.com 03 13 07The United States is to help Libya build a first nuclear power plant under an accord to be signed soon, in another sign of Tripoli's rehabilitation, the official JANA news agency reported on Monday.
The Libyan parliament or General People's Committee (GPC) gave its approval on Sunday for the foreign ministry to sign the deal, JANA said.
"The GPC authorised on Sunday the GPC for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation to sign the agreement related (to) the Libyan-American cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy offered by the United States," it said in an English-language dispatch.
"The agreement aims at establishing a nuclear station in Libya to produce electricity, desalting water, and developing the radiochemistry performance at energy researches centre."
In Washington, there was no confirmation of the proposed deal. "I'm certainly aware of no plans for the United States to participate in nuclear programmes with Libya," said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.
The draft agreement approved by MPs on Sunday provides for Libyan students to receive training in nuclear technology in the United States and for the establishment in Libya of a regional centre for nuclear medicine, JANA said.
Libya was long accused by Western governments of seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
But in late 2003 Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi renounced all attempts to develop a non-conventional arsenal, clearing the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States in May last year.
The proposed agreement between the United States and its longtime enemy Libya comes as Washington intensifies its campaign against the nuclear programme of its arch-foe Iran.
Iran's programme, which the Islamic republic insists is entirely peaceful, has prompted a number of Arab states to announce plans to work on civil nuclear energy, including pro-Western Egypt and the six oil-rich Gulf states.
Earlier this month, Kadhafi complained that Libya had not been adequately compensated for abandoning nuclear weapons.
"Libya has not been properly compensated, so other countries, like Iran and North Korea, will not follow his lead," the Libyan leader said in an interview with the BBC.
"Libya is disappointed because the promises given by America and Britain were not fulfilled," he said.
Kadhafi was for decades an international pariah because of his opposition to the West and his alleged backing for terrorism, before the pledge to give up attempts to develop weapons of mass destruction.
That led to a normalisation of ties with Britain and France as well as the United States. After 20 years of isolation, foreign companies are now in fierce competition to clinch oil deals in Libya.
But Kadhafi told the BBC in Sebha, where on March 2 he celebrated the 30th anniversary of Libya's Jamahiriyah, or State of the Masses political system, there had been a lack of British, European Union or US investment since.
Kadhafi said he thought it was still possible for Libya to work with the West for mutual benefit, but the lack of foreign cash did not mean his country would slip back into its old ways.
"Libya will never go back. I believe that the era of hostility and confrontation is behind us," he was quoted as saying.
AFP 12 1951 GMT 03 07
Copyright© 2007 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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