US, Russia cooperate to spread nuclear energy use

WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) The United States and Russia today pledged to greatly expand nuclear energy cooperation and make nuclear energy available to developing countries while still limiting the spread of atomic weapons.

The White House issued a joint statement outlining their approach after months of negotiations in an area in which Moscow and Washington -- which are at odds over a US missile defense system, Iran and Kosovo -- have been able to agree.

President George W Bush has long advocated increased use of nuclear power in the United States and around the world.

''We are determined to play an active role in making the advantages of the peaceful use of nuclear energy available to a wide range of interested states, in particular developing countries, provided the common goal of prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons is achieved,'' the statement said.

The two countries, which together possess the world's largest nuclear weapons arsenals, listed 10 ways in which they would fulfill their pledge.

This included ''facilitating the supply of a range of modern, safe, and more proliferation resistant nuclear power reactors and research reactors appropriate to meet the varying energy needs of developing and developed countries.'' The two countries agreed to help other states get the benefit of safe nuclear energy while continuing to control the spread of technology that allows them to make the material needed for nuclear weapons.

HELP WITH FINANCING, RULES The United States and Russia will help secure financing, including through international institutions, for new nuclear plants and help states develop necessary regulations, safety standards and training programs, the statement said.

They also promised to develop solutions to deal with the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.

Increasing numbers of states are either seeking to get nuclear energy or say they intend to do so.

But there is growing concern these programs could be used as a basis for weapons production, as North Korea did and as the UN Security Council accuses Iran of doing.

It was unclear why the joint statement, illuminating an area of major cooperation, was issued after, rather than during, Bush's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Bush family compound in Maine on Sunday and yesterday.

The meeting was aimed at restoring the rapport the two leaders once enjoyed and easing tensions that have taken US-Russian relations to a post-Cold War low.

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