Baghdad has asked Paris to help construct a civil nuclear reactor in Iraq
- By Jack Bryar -
A senior Iraqi official says Baghdad is taking initial steps to construct the country's first nuclear power plant in cooperation with France. Electricity Minister Karim Wahid said Sunday that Baghdad has asked Paris to help construct a reactor in Iraq, AFP reported.
"I am willing to enter into contacts with the French nuclear agency and to start to build a nuclear power plant, because the future is nuclear," said Wahid.
Iraq had sealed a contract with France to construct a nuclear reactor during Saddam Hussein's regime in 1976. The construction of the Osirak reactor however remained unfinished after Israeli warplanes bombed the facility in 1981. Tel Aviv accused the regime of building nuclear weapons.
"France has not shown up yet (in post-Saddam Iraq). They will come hopefully," said Wahid adding that "We have many projects to be announced for investments."
France President Nicolas Sarkozy had also urged French companies to cooperate with Iraq, saying "We are ready to listen to the requests of the Iraqis."
During his first ever visit to Baghdad on February 10; Sarkozy said Defense, energy and water were all key sectors for cooperation with the country.