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Chavez accepts Russia nuclear aid Chavez eyes Russia nuclear help
(about 4 hours later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has announced that he wants to develop a nuclear programme with the aid of his country's ally, Russia. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he wants to develop a civilian nuclear power programme with Russia's help.
Mr Chavez emphasised that he wanted nuclear power only for peaceful ends, citing energy and medical purposes.Mr Chavez emphasised that he wanted nuclear power only for peaceful ends, citing energy and medical purposes.
But the announcement, on top of large weapons purchases, is likely to feed growing concern about the increasing Venezuelan military power. His remarks follow last week's comments by Russian PM Vladimir Putin that Moscow was ready to consider nuclear co-operation with Venezuela.
Venezuela has spent $4bn on Russian arms and plans to buy more from China. Such a move would be likely to increase US concerns at the growing ties between the two nations, correspondents say.
The controversial Venezuelan leader's statement that he wanted nuclear capability only for energy and medical purposes may not reassure his neighbours like Colombia, or even the United States. "We certainly are interested in developing nuclear energy, for peaceful ends of course, for medical purposes and to generate electricity," Mr Chavez told a political rally in Caracas.
Mr Chavez has made his dislike of the Bush administration well known. "Brazil has various nuclear reactors, as does Argentina. We will have ours and Vladimir told the media: Russia is ready to help Venezuela develop nuclear energy for peaceful ends," he said, adding that a commission was already working on the issue.
He has cultivated ties with nations, like Iran, which are not known for their friendly feelings towards Washington. Naval exercise
Mr Chavez has publicly called for the Colombian rebels to lay down their arms. President Chavez was speaking after a global tour last week that included a stop in Russia.
However, intelligence reports suggest that Colombia's two main rebel groups - including the Farc - continue to have bases on the Venezuelan side of the border and more with relative impunity, sources within Colombia's defence ministry told me. During his visit, Mr Chavez signed accords on energy co-operation with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev.
Mr Putin also indicated that Russia "was ready to consider the possibility" of working with Venezuela to build nuclear power facilities.
Russia and Venezuela have been increasing their ties in recent months. Russian warships are currently en route to the Caribbean Sea for joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy.
Venezuela is one of the best customers of the Russian defence industry, signing weapons contracts worth some $4.4bn (£2.39bn).
A staunch critic of the US, Mr Chavez backed Russian intervention in Georgia and has accused Washington of being scared of Moscow's "new world potential".