Myanmar confirms nuclear plans

YANGON, Myanmar -- The military government of Myanmar has confirmed that it is planning to build the country's first nuclear reactor with help from Russia.

Confirming reports of the project, Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Muang Win said the reactor was to be used purely for peaceful purposes to meet demand for radio isotopes from the country's healthcare, agricultural and educational sectors.

"We have been conducting feasibility studies for building a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes," he told a news conference in the capital Yangon, formerly Rangoon.

"I would like to stress that it is purely for peaceful purposes, purely for nuclear research, purely for training our scientists and also to meet our need for radio isotopes."

Myanmar's often secret military rulers have previously declined to comment on reports of negotiations with Russia on the construction of the reactor.

However announcing the project on Monday they denied that they had ever tried to hide the plans.

"We have been carrying it out openly," said Khin Muang Win. "We officially informed the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Authority) Director General of our idea and asked for their advice in September 2000," he said.

Sanctions

According to Reuters IAEA officials have confirmed discussions with Myanmar and say the reactor is unlikely to be suitable for the production of nuclear weapons.

However IAEA officials based in Vienna have raised concerns about Myanmar's ability to cope with such high-maintenance technology and the high safety standards needed for its upkeep.

Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in the world and human rights groups have criticized reports of the planned reactor saying it is a frivolous expense designed only to bolster the egos of the country's ruling generals.

Myanmar's military rulers have been subject to wide-ranging political and economic sanctions for several years as a result of the country's poor human rights record and alleged involvement in the illegal narcotics trade.

According to Reuters nuclear experts believe the 10-megawatt reactor will cost in the region of $5 million to build, excluding maintenance costs.

The initial construction costs could be met by bartering produce such as timber, fish and rice -- a system used by the government to fund other projects in the past.