Myanmar in the nuclear business

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 28th May, 2007

Fears are growing that Myanmar is re-arming itself and building up nuclear technology.

Some recent announcements have raised the spectre of a future nuclear weapons programme that could intimidate Myanmar's neighbours and be used against the U.S. and its allies.

Despite international sanctions, energy-hungry China and India are jockeying for a share of Myanmar's natural wealth, especially the country's vast resources of oil and gas.

In return, both countries have been supplying the military junta in Myanmar with weapons.

Meanwhile, under a treaty signed in Moscow, Russia's atomic energy agency will design and build a nuclear research centre for Myanmar which, it says, will be under the control of the International Atomic Energy Authority.

However, the IAEA says it has`never heard of the deal.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey, who has pointed out Myanmar's human rights abuses, says there are no safeguards against nuclear proliferation, accidents or environmental damage.

In retaliation, President George Bush has recently announced new sanctions on Myanmar.

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