Works examine control rods in a nuclear power plant. Indonesia says it may build plants in the future. Photo / Reuters
Works examine control rods in a nuclear power plant. Indonesia says it may build plants in the future. Photo / Reuters
KEY POINTS:
CANBERRA - If Indonesia decides to build nuclear power plants, it would expect to buy the uranium from Australia, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla says.
The island nation is yet to decide if nuclear power plants would be safe in its unstable environment, which is plagued by earthquakes, tsunamisand volcanoes.
"We are in the stage of discussions only, for discussions only, not yet any budget, we have not any plan," Mr Kalla told ABC radio today.
Under the Lombok Treaty, signed last year, Australia committed to a peaceful nuclear co-operation with Indonesia, which is also a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Mr Kalla said this should mean that Australia would sell uranium to Indonesia.
"If someday the study (on nuclear power) and the people say 'yes, okay', of course we will buy from sources including Australia."
When asked whether he expected Australia to sell uranium to Indonesia, Mr Kalla said: "Yeah, yeah, yeah".
Australia agreed to sell uranium to India this month, a country which is not a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
