DHAKA, 16 September 2007 — Armed with a tentative Russian offer of help, Bangladesh is seeking to move the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for setting up nuclear power plants in the country.
Energy Adviser Tapan Chowdhury is in Vienna to attend the IAEA’s 51st annual general conference, where he is expected to hold talks with Mohamed El-Baradei, director general of the IAEA, on the sidelines of the conference. “We will seek cooperation from the IAEA director general on setting up nuclear power plants in Bangladesh as we are facing chronic power shortage,” Chowdhury told New Age before leaving for Vienna.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has said that two 500 MW nuclear power reactors could be set up at the proposed site at Rooppur. Foreign Adviser Iftikhar Ahmed Chowdhury in his recent visit to Russia sought Moscow’s help in setting up the plants.
On his return, he said that Moscow had agreed to provide assistance, adding that Bangladesh had turned to Russia since “not every country is ready to help”.
Tapan Chowdhury said that he might also discuss the setting up of nuclear plants with representatives of other participating countries. “We are looking for different avenues as it usually takes a long time to implement a nuclear power project,” he said. Bangladesh says it is facing a severe electricity crunch and fuel shortages to run power plants and is now looking for alternative sources.
No Political Role for Army: Ahmed
Meanwhile, the caretaker government head Fakhruddin Ahmed has rebutted criticism that the country is placed under dual rule, saying the army was merely “assisting” the government in “curbing corruption” and maintaining law and order and did not have any political role.
“I do not feel the existence of dual rule... the army is assisting the civil government and playing an important role in curbing corruption, improving law and order, distributing flood relief. I do not see the reflection of their political role through these activities,” the country’s chief Adviser said.
Ahmed sought to end a recent controversy when his Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein claimed the government was “army backed,” and that it was “a national government.” Army Chief Gen. Moin U. Ahmed contradicted Hosein and said the government had the army’s backing, just like it had the backing of the police or any other agency.
The chief Adviser, who performs prime ministerial functions, said the reasons that had led to the promulgation of the state of emergency “have not all disappeared”, but assured that the emergency would be lifted “at an appropriate time.”
