Fed: Nuke deal only for peaceful purposes - Wen

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2006
Fed: Nuke deal only for peaceful purposes - Wen

CANBERRA, April 3 AAP - China will only use Australian uranium for peaceful purposes,
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today signed two agreements with China's Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing on supplying uranium to China.

The agreements, signed following a meeting between Mr Wen and Prime Minister John Howard,
cover nuclear transfer and nuclear cooperation.

"This is solely for peaceful purposes," Mr Wen told a media conference through an interpreter.

"China and Australia are both members of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
and therefore when we proceed with our nuclear cooperation we must observe the principles
of the NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty).

"The agreement we entered today has provided safeguards for the peaceful purposes of
our nuclear cooperation.

"We must proceed with our cooperation in this field on the basis of mutual respect,
mutual benefit and equality."

Mr Howard said he was satisfied safeguards would be enforced.

"It is on that basis that the agreements have been signed," he said.

"In relation to the capacity constraints, the supply constraints, there are signs that
the three mine policy is already crumbling.

"We will will examine that and watch developments in that area with great interest."

Mr Howard said the government would also in time examine what other capacities it had
to expand supply if that became necessary.

"It's a little early to be contemplating that," he said.

AAP rp/mb/mfh/cjh/nf

KEYWORD: URANIUM WEN

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