The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Russia is willing to extend cooperation to Bangladesh in seting up a nuclear power plant for production of nuclear energy to meet an insatiate demand for electricity, said the Foreign Advisor.

Talking to the press on his recent visit to Moscow, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Sunday said he had detailed discussions with Russian Deputy Minister for Energy and Industry Ivan Materver on possible Russian cooperation in production of nuclear energy.

"Russia is positive and it could be an important partner of us in seting up nuclear power plant," he said.

However, the Advisor told the reporters that since the nuclear power technology is a complex issue, the mater should be discussed at national level to arrive at a final decision.

He said, " If we want to produce nuclear energy, the time has come to start primary negotiations with our possible partners who might help us in establishing the nuclear project since it takes a long time for its implementation."

Bangladesh earlier got the nod from IAEA to move ahead with its plan for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Advisor said since Bangladesh is a signatory to CTBT and NPTC, " We are commited to peaceful use of nuclear energy… we will not go for nuclear weapons."

In reply to a question, he said Bangladesh has already contacted

Russia at technical level for seting up the proposed nuclear power plant while he was the first to contact Russia at political level. Asked why the government is puting emphasis on cooperation from Russia in seting up the nuclear power plant, the Advisor said all countries do not like to extend nuclear cooperation. Russia has appropriate technology for it

Moreover, he pointed out, the people of Bangladesh and Russia are closely linked intellectually and culturally. Russia had enough contribution to the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. He said China, India, Pakistan and South Korea have already undertaken nuclear power-expansion projects. Although the Advisor could not tell about estimated cost of nuclear power plant, but said " since we have adequate technical know-how, we will be able to set up it with cooperation from our partners." Asked if it would cast any adverse impact on Bangladesh-US relations if Dhaka received nuclear cooperation from Moscow, he replied in the negative.

"Bangladesh looks to the East, West, South and North, and for a long time Bangladesh has not looked to the Russian Federation after the demise of the Soviet Union," the foreign advisor of the caretaker government said, on a note of criticism.

During the visit, Bangladesh and the Russian Federation signed Consular Convention, first deal between the two countries, to ease visa regime and ensure Bangladeshis' welfare in Russia. And the Advisor said Dhaka and Moscow are likely to sign several accords concerning avoidance of double taxation, investment and trade cooperation.

He further disclosed that Bangladesh wants to import 300,000 tons of wheat to build up a buffer stock and 4,00 tons of fertilizer from Russia.

Besides, he said, there is enough opportunity for Bangladeshi students to study medical science in Russia, particularly in medical institutions in St Petersburg. Presently, 40 students are studying over there.

The Advisor observed that his visit to Russia unveiled a new chapter of bilateral relations, saying that effective follow-ups would be made to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary-in-charge Touhid Hossain and senior Foreign Ministry officers were present at the briefing.