The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations issued a note, February 11, informing that the Brazilian government regrets North Korea’s decision to suspend its participation in the six-part negotiations, following its announcement that it possesses nuclear arms and intends to continue developing them.
According to the note, “Brazil reaffirms its conviction that matters involving international peace and security should be handled through negotiations, in a constructive way, to favor solutions that strengthen the stability and trust of the community of States.”
The Ministry of Foreign Relations recalls in the note that “since the beginning, Brazil supported the six-part process of negotiations and considers it a useful instrument to reach understandings that, in a balanced manner, take into account the security concerns of the Democratic Popular Republic of Korea, as well as those of the other States that are part of the process.”
Nothing to Hide
In October, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, declared that Brazil had nothing to hide from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with regard to its nuclear installations located in Resende, state of Rio de Janeiro.
However, Amorim added that the country intended to delay the signature of an additional protocol with the IAEA, which would permit more extensive inspections, because Brazil did not wish to reveal its technological advances at that time.
“We are producing enriched uranium for pacific purposes. We are just keeping all our options open regarding energy sources,” declared the minister during a joint press conference with then US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.
Colin Powell declared that the US is not worried about the Brazilian nuclear program. “I do not see the Brazilian program as the same type of program that Iran and North Korea are involved in. North Korea already has nuclear weapons,” he said.
ABr