Obama backs Venezuela's right to nuclear energy

[ChangoLoa]

Source: AFP

US President Barack Obama said he had no objection to Venezuela developing nuclear power for civilian energy purposes, days after Caracas and Moscow signed a landmark deal.¨

"We have no incentive nor interest in increasing friction between Venezuela and the US, but we do think Venezuela needs to act responsibly," Obama told Spanish media at the White House.

"Our attitude is that Venezuela has rights to peacefully develop nuclear power," he said, adding that as a signatory of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty it must also meet its obligations not to weaponize those systems.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez clinched a deal in Moscow on Friday that will see Russia build and operate the first nuclear power plant in his country.

Closer ties between Moscow and Caracas -- Chavez has bought more than four billion dollars of weapons from Russia and promised to give it greater access to Venezuelan oil fields -- are being closely watched in Washington.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101020/pl_afp/russiavenezueladiplomacyenergyus_20101020032745;_ylt=AkHbURtPN7TsOpY_XOa3crb9SpZ4

[lamp_shade]

1. Not the response Chavez was looking for I'd say.

[bitchkitty]

17. Why would you think he was looking for any kind of response?

He got Russia to help him out with a nuclear plant, just to piss us off?

[33Greeper]

2. The President acting responsibly

K&R

[Demeter]

3. and HOW Is Venezuela Different From Iran, Mr. President?

Israeli paranoia aside?

[CJvR]

4. Some reasons.

Venezuela isn't (yet) a theocratic dictatorship, although Chavez do display some nasty authoritarian tendensies.
Venezuela isn't an outright sponsor of terrorism, though there are suspicions of ties to NARC.
Venezuela have not started large scale enriching of uranium and repeatedly lied about it's nuclear program.

[Demeter]

15. But Our Buddies the Saudis Are a Theocratic, Authoritarian Regime

All but one of the 9/11 attackers were Saudis, as is, or was, Osama binLadin.

And who claims the Iranians speak lies about their nuclear program? Why, some of the biggest liars we know!

[Javaman]

6. We get oil from Venezuela, we don't from Iran. All clear now?

mumble mumble maintaining our non-negotiable way of life mumble mumble.

OPEC nation Venezuela is the second largest oil provider for the US.

It's less about weapons and reactors than it is about continuing our addiction.

[RZM]

10. Where is your source for Venezuela being the second largest provider?

I'm not saying you're wrong, but last time I checked (admittedly a few years ago), domestic sources were first, followed by Canada and Mexico at two and three.

[Javaman]

13. OPEC...

I didn't say over all.

Canada is our #1 non OPEC provider.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/company_level_imports/current/import.html

Looks as if Nigeria is now edging them out.

Opec nations:

http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/25.htm

[rAVES]

9. how could a democrat be so brainwashed by right wing media? hmm?

[Javaman]

14. No brain washing...

Venezuela is a huge provider of our nations oil. Iran is not.

This is simply a policy decision based upon our need for oil.

Iran gave us the old "up yours" in '79, so we cut off our imports from them. Therefore we feel the need to demonize everything they do. Part and parcel of US policy since then.

While Venezuela still supplies us with a good portion of our daily oil. Even while we continue to bad mouth them. (All's fair in world politics. Just remember to read between the lines anytime we have a war of words with them. Whom does it serve?)

So while the media loves to claim this and that about Venezuela, the reality is: we still need their oil. Hugo needs our money. Quid Pro Quo. So ergo: they can build reactors. (probably by some US corporation). Details, details...

The worlds oil supply is based on the US dollar and as much as we would all love to stop using it, (and some nations want to dump the US dollar), the worlds economy is so tightly woven into it, that if we were to cut off our supply from them, their economy would collapse. Simple fact. And that wouldn't bode will for South or central America.

I'm one of the first to champion the movement to get off of oil, but the reality of it's reach and deep seated effect it has on our society dictates that we have to take a prudent approach to eventually getting off of it. And if that means striking bargains with our drug dealers, well, that's part of the game.

It will be dark days indeed if one day, Venezuela suddenly cuts off the spigot.

[L0oniX]

12. Are you ok?

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[niceypoo]

7. You have a plot...

...but no context

[lamp_shade]

8. Bookmarked.

[L0oniX]

11. Pizza is on the way ...enjoy.

[AlphaCentauri]

16. Chavez backs US's right to solar energy n/t