It’s no secret that Iran has increased its political and economic influence with several countries in South America. (Much to the chagrin and ire of the U.S. State Department). Yet an Israeli report leaked to the press alleges that Venezuela and Bolivia have gone too far and sold uranium to Iran."There are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program…Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran," according to a Foreign Ministry document cited by the mainstream media. If the allegations are true then it would mark the first time either country has been linked to Iran’s much-maligned nuclear enrichment program.
Bolivia’s government responded to the allegations with a strong denial:
Bolivia denied supplying uranium to Iran for its nuclear program, saying Tuesday it has never produced the metallic element, a key ingredient for nuclear energy and weapons.Venezuela’s government has yet to reply to the Israeli paper despite the additional accusation that Hezbollah has established cells in northern Venezuela and on Margarita Island.
Mining Minister Luis Alberto Echazu dismissed allegations in a secret Israeli government report, saying "there isn't even a geological study (of uranium deposits), much less export" of uranium to another country…
Bolivia has some uranium deposits but they aren't being exploited, said mining director Freddy Beltran, a subordinate of the mining minister who handles technical issues. His comments were published Tuesday by the Bolivian daily La Razon.
The document was released not-so-coincidentally one week before Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is scheduled to attend the Organization of American States general assembly in Honduras.
Image- BBC News (Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)
Online Sources- CNN, AFP, AP, The Latin Americanist, MSNBC
1 comment:
It's obvious that Israel has COOKED the 'uranium-sale' report. Here we go again, WMD and 'Mushroom Cloud' reports being compiled to coerce the US in attacking and undermining independent nations. Hopefully Pres. Obama is clever enough to figure this one out.
Have we historically learned anything from Bush, Cheney and the Neocons' invasion of Iraq ??
Israel is gasping for air by implicating these sovereign LatAm nations with Iran 's nuclear program.
Winds of change are blowing in Latin America, and a new overdue global standing is being asserted by these sovereign nations.
I think it's a good idea to start a more independent hemispheric body in which all sovereign nations of the Western Hemisphere (including Cuba) have an equal standing and a real voice. China has been a key member of the UN Security Council for decades and other communist countries are members of the UN. It's anachronistic to have Cuba excluded from the OAS. Better yet, these countries should form their own independent 'League of Nations" and Brazil should lead the way.
To Israel's Foreign Minister, Mr. Danny Ayalon: Save yourself a trip to the OAS as the great majority of LatAm countries are sympathetic with the Palestinian cause. Why don't you start dismantling the illegal settlements so peace can be given a chance?
Israel: Please stay away from SouthAmerica.
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