Venezuela Defends Right to Develop Nuclear Energy

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBLU0K40FE.html

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's vice president on Wednesday defended his country's plan to develop nuclear energy, saying its purpose is peaceful and aimed at securing energy sources.

The country is the world's fifth-largest exporter of oil but Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Venezuela has an interest in developing alternative energy sources because "sooner or later, (oil) is going to run out."

"The world cannot live attached exclusively to one energy source and, therefore, alternatives like wind, solar and nuclear are being developed," Rangel said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has expressed interest in acquiring a nuclear reactor from Argentina and working with Iran, among other countries, to research nuclear energy.