Reactor for peaceful purposes, says Chavez

President Hugo Chavez said yesterday that Venezuela would develop a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes in another challenge to Washington just days after Russia offered nuclear assistance to the socialist Latin American leader.

"In Venezuela we are interested in development of nuclear energy, of course for peaceful purposes, for medical purposes, for purposes of electricity generation," Chavez said.

He noted that Venezuela developed a nuclear reactor decades ago but abandoned it under pressure from the US. He said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had offered help with a reactor, adding that "we already have a commission working on this issue".