Powell discusses nuclear inspections with Brazil's Lula

BRASILIA, Oct 5 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell, on a two-day official visit here, discussed with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday disputes between Brasilia and UN atomic agency inspectors, saying Washington had no worries about the nuclear program here.
Brazil, which has one of the world's largest uranium reserves, denied inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency access in February and March to a uranium-enriching facility in Resende, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, saying it wanted to protect industry trade secrets.
IAEA director general Mohamed ElBaradei has said Brazil should not be an exception to the organization's norms.
Powell reaffirmed that Washington "has absolutely no concerns about Brazil doing anything with its nuclear program except developing power in the most controled responsible manner."
At a joint press conference with Celso Amorim, his Brazilian counterpart, Powell said he was "confident that Brazil will be able to work out any problems that exists with the IAEA, hopefully when the IAEA team visits later in the month."
Powell also said he didn't think "that Brazil can be talked about in the same vein or put in the same category as Iran and North Korea," two nations the United States believes have active nuclear weapons programs.
Amorim said he was confident Brazil could reach an agreement with the IAEA over the inspections.
"It is perfectly possible to consider the IAEA's goals" to make sure Brazil's uranium enrichment process "is carried out with peaceful aims," while at the same time "protect the secrets of Brazil's technology," Amorim said.
Powell added: "I do not believe that whatever arrangement the IAEA and Brazil may (reach) would in any way give the North Koreans or Iran additional bargaining power with the IAEA."
Uranium enrichment makes fuel for civilian reactors but can also be used to make the explosive core of atomic bombs. The IAEA is mandated by the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to make sure member states do not divert nuclear material for military purposes.