ANALYSIS-Iran's arguments for nuclear power make some sense

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HUG251987.htm

TEHRAN, March 2 (Reuters) - Iran's argument that despite vast oil and gas reserves it needs nuclear power to meet booming energy demand holds more water than U.S. officials give credit.

But Tehran, which denies U.S. accusations that it is secretly seeking nuclear arms, is on shakier ground with its insistence on producing its own fuel for atomic reactors through uranium enrichment -- a costly endeavour, both economically and politically, for the Islamic state.

In the absence of a "smoking gun", Washington often says the fact Iran is the No. 2 producer in OPEC and sits on the second biggest natural gas reserves in the world is enough to make its atomic ambitions suspicious. snip

Some U.S. arguments against Iran "were not supported by an analysis of the facts" the committee added, noting that much of the natural gas flared off by Iran -- which U.S. officials say could be harnessed instead of nuclear power -- was not recoverable for energy use.

Iranian officials are quick to point out that before the 1979 Islamic revolution, which brought clerics to power, the United States firmly supported its ally the Shah's plans to build up to 23 atomic reactors by 1994.

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[frankieT]

1. ty, interesting article -eom-

[NNN0LHI]

2. I found it enlightening

Especially the part about the US liking the idea of Iranian nuclear reactors. Bet we had the contract to build them.

Don