BRAZIL - WEST GERMANY: NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06820798
• 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: February 8, 1977

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Latin America
REGIONAL AND
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Sectet
179
RP ALA 77-011
8 February 1977
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LATIN AMERICA
8 February 1977
CONTENTS
Brazil � West Germany:
Nuclear Development Program
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This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington community by
the Latin America Division, Office of Regional and � Political Analysis, with oc-
casional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of Intelligence.
Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to the authors of the
individual articles. �
SECRET
� RP ALA 77-011
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Brazil - West Germany: Nuclear Developments Program
The Brazilian government is increasingly adamant
in its refusal to consider revisions in its nuclear
development program.
Last week the government publicly rejected a sug-
gestion by Secretary of State Vance that Brazil tem-
porarily suspend its agreement with West Germany under
which the Germans are to provide plants for uranium
enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. The government
statement comes at a time when prominent congressmen in
both Brazilian parties as well as senior foreign policy
officials are denouncing US criticism of the accord as
outside interference and an insult to their national
prestige.
The statement--which ended a long period of offi-
cial silence on.the'Aubject--was apparently based on a
decision by the Geisel government not to consider al-
ternatives to present plans for obtaining plants for
enriching uranium and recycling fuel. Brazil is seek-
ing energy alternatives to petroleum, coal, and natural
gas, which it must now import at great expense. It in-
tends to obtain a full nuclear fuel cycle, including
reprocessing, in order to reduce its dependence on for-
eign sources of nuclear fuel.
Brazil is increasing its pressure on Bonn to ful-
fill the terms of the agreement. It has strongly in-
timated that if the Germans renege on the provisions
for reprocessing, it will look elsewhere to purchase
the eight nuclear reactors--currently worth $4-5
billion.
The Brazilian press has been strongly critical
of US statements that warn against nuclear prolifera-
tion, arguing that the Nonproliferation Treaty is dis-
criminatory. The government insists that it will not
be bound by any agreement, that could restrict its eco-
nomic,and technological development. . Brazilian officials
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have said, Moreover, that the government will not sign
the Nonproliferation.Treaty so long as ffraentina. Bra�
zil's regional rival, refuses to do so,
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