Brasília, April 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - On Sunday (4), the American newspaper, "Washington Post," published an article alleging that Brazil is not allowing experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the uranium enrichment plant that is under construction in Resende, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

According to the newspaper, the Brazilian refusal could create a precedent for other countries. The story was also covered by the New York Times and the CNN television network.

The Ministry of Science and Technology denied that Brazil is hindering the access of nuclear weapons inspectors to the Brazilian uranium enrichment facility in Resende. "Any speculation that casts doubt on the peaceful intentions of the Brazilian nuclear project is unacceptable," Minister Eduardo Campos declared through his advisory staff.

According to the Ministry, the Resende installations produce enriched uranium for electric energy generation, not the purer type that can be used in nuclear weapons. The Ministry confirmed that international inspectors visited the Brazilian Nuclear Industry (INB) in February and March of this year and, throughout the installation, the only area to which they were denied access was the centrifuge that produces the enriched uranium. This is a way to "protect" the technology used in the equipment, according to the government.

The Ministry guarantees that Brazil is negotiating with the IAEA on the use of other inspection methods when the Resende industrial plant begins operations, experimentally, in October.

"The Constitution itself determines the use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes. Brazil is a signatory of nuclear arms non-proliferation treaties and has always condemned terrorism," the Minister also affirmed.

Translator: David Silberstein