BOLIVIA: Government denies Israeli report it is sending uranium to Iran for nuclear development

Record ID: 859909

  • Title: BOLIVIA: Government denies Israeli report it is sending uranium to Iran for nuclear development
  • Date: 27th May 2009
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (MAY 26, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (MAY 26, 2009) (RED UNO) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GOVERNMENT MINISTER JUAN ROMAN QUINTANA SAYING "Really, it's forms part of the anthology of stupidity. If there's something that characterizes our policy as a government, it's the policy of peace." JOURNALISTS COVERING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GOVERNMENT MINISTER JUAN ROMAN QUINTANA SAYING "What space cadet could think that Bolivia is developing nuclear technology, or is promoting and cooperating with Iran's nuclear development?" EXTERIOR OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE
  • Embargoed: 11th June 2009 13:00
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  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2OQOHGJTWL6UEI56SURGL1U1
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  • Story Text: Bolivia denied reports it is providing uranium for Iran's nuclear development, saying on Tuesday (May 26) that the rumors belonged in the 'anthology of stupidity'.
    A Monday report from Israel's foreign relations department implicated Bolivia and Venezuela in Iran's controversial nuclear development project.
    But Bolivian officials have adamantly denied the rumors, pointing out that Bolivia no longer produces uranium and hasn't produced the radioactive substance for 25 years.
    Speaking on behalf of President Evo Morales' leftist government, Juan Roman Quintana said peace is the administration's focus.
    "Really, it's forms part of the anthology of stupidity. If there's something that characterizes our policy as a government, it's the policy of peace," he said.
    Quintana added that the reports seemed to be divorced from reality.
    "What space cadet could think that Bolivia is developing nuclear technology, or is promoting and cooperating with Iran's nuclear development?" he asked at news conference in La Paz.
    Bolivia, along with Venezuela, is among several nations to improve relations with Tehran, causing some concern in Washington and Israel.
    Iran is a sworn enemy of the United States and is embroiled in a row over its nuclear plans, which Washington says are aimed at building bombs despite denials.
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