NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02988131
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 18, 2020
• Case Number: F-2017-01987
• Publication Date: July 13, 1977

Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
The
National Intelligence
Published by the Director of Central Intelligence for Named Principals Only
WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 1977
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 161
TCS 661/77
NR Record
b)(3)
TOP-SEeFFET
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 002988131
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
-7011,1-S-EeRE-T-
2 WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 1977 TCS 661/77 THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY
NR Record
-1F.OP-SEeiRET-
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
HL NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY TCS 661/77 WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 1977
NR Record
imenili-seentE-T
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
TUIP SIftC.Feft I
WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 1977
TCS 661/77 THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY
ATM AMERICA
Nuclear Energy Facilities and Programs
Several Latin American countries
lnave nuclear programs, but only Argen-
Ana. Brazil, and Mexico have nudear
rower together with fuel cyde facilities
under construction or planned. Chile,
Venezuela, and Cuba have modest
unclear research programs focused on
,leveloping nuclear power in the near
teture. Colombia, Peru, Ecuador,
liruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay are
just beginning to develop nuclear
(b)(3) .esearch programs and are looking for
outside assistance.
Argentina has the most advanced and
� imprehensive nuclear energy program of
ny Latin American country and is seek-
to become self-sufficient in nuclear
2Pergy. Because it possesses relatively
i iundant reserves of uranium, Argentina
basing its power program on natural
,!i an i u m-fueled reactors.
Orte such power reactor is in operation,
nother is under construction, and
Fotiations are under way for a third; if
�.,1-npleted on schedule, these three plants
Il give Argentina 1,600 megawatts of
n-iclear electric generating capacity of
I l'he Argentines plan to construct or
e already building facilities for chemical
inorocessing. fuel fabrication, and heavy
der production.
Most other Latin American nations
insider Argentina not only the regional
icader in nuciear development but also a
onssibie supplier of nuclear equipment,
elaterials, and technology. Four Latin
.-:.merican countries already receive
nrclear assistance from Argentina. The
.'sgentines are supplying research reac-
i-rs to Peru. designing a pilot chemical
,processing plant for Mexico, training
'hilenn personnel, and constructing a
nranium ore treatment plant in Bolivia.
nuatior, Uruguay, and Paraguay are
erring nuclear assistance from Argen-
ia
Brazil's nuclear program is less ad-
, rnced but more ambitious than Argen-
, rirt's. Westinghouse is constructing a
tr.clear power reactor in Brazil that is
.-heduled for completion next year. The
-irazilian nuclear program is based on a
nuclear assistance agreement with West
;ermany that provides for eight power
actors as well as facilities for uranium
:otope separation, fuel fabrication, and
� ilemical reprocessing.
lithe agreement is fully implemented
nd if an adequate uranium supply can be
leveloped, Brazil will have a complete
nuclear fuel cycle and will be self-suf-
i.ctent in nuclear energy. Brazil, how-
-ger, will be aimost totally dependent
nri imported technology for its nu-
car program. and proven uranium
cserves are inadequate to meet projected
.;ecds
Mexico's nuclear power program, like
:4razirs, is heavily dependent on foreign
The Nation
Central
other US foreigr
121ePoriid. by Cl
tore oriole* are
assistance. The program is less developed
than the Argentine and Brazilian
programs, and Mexican officials are dis-
appointed with it. Construction of two
US-supplied power reactors, which be-
gan in 1972, has been delayed, and the
completion date for the project has
slipped to 1982, some five years behind
schedule.
Mexican scientists are now in-
dependently designing nuclear fuel cycle
facilities including uranium processing,
fuel fabrication, chemical reprocessing,
and plutonium fabrication. Mexico has
substantial uranium deposits and is
operating a pilot ore concentration
plant.
Chile has a small nuclear program con-
sisting of two operating research reactors
that mainly produce radioisotopes. The
government is examining nuclear power
as an alternative to fossil-fueled power
plants and is considering the purchase of
the smallest size nuclear power reactor
available commercially.
Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia have
research reactors and rudimentary
nuclear research programs devoted main-
ly to production and application of
radioisotopes and to training. Cuba is the
only one of this group and the only Carib-
bean nation with specific plans for nuclear
power; the Cuban program includes
planned construction of two Soviet
supplied power reactors.
Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and
Ecuador are just beginning nuclear
research. All have uranium deposits and
are receiving or plan to obtain nuclear
assistance from Argentina.
Latin America is the only continental
region that has a nuclear-free-zone treaty.
The treaty forbids development, manufac-
ture, or stockpiling of nuclear weapons,
but does not preclude the development of
peaceful nuclear explosives. The treaty is
not now in effect in Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, or Cuba, and it is unlikely that this
situation will change in the foreseeable
future.
Argentina, Brazil, and Chile have not
signed or ratified the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty, nor have Cuba,
Guyana, and Belize. Of the coun-
tries, only Argentina and Brazil are
potential developers of nuclear
devices in the foreseeable future.
Ived
T1018
Infiniti Serrations
rpared t11 thia
rafion with the
non:. tote items
. Analytical tea
D 77161 X
ecurtry end control abbreviations
used in this publication:
TS11�Ton Secret UMBRA
SS�teetet SPOKE
S�Signet -
C�Centideetial
tl�llnerassrlied
trOFIntl �Not Releasa Ole to
(WC) Forasn Nationals
ORSOR�Disserni and IX.
(DC) traction of information
Controlled by Origi-
nator
RE �This Information has
been Authorized for
Releota to
Approved for Release: 2020/09/11 CO2988131
101.0 stt.re=1
(b)(3)
(b)(6)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)