December 26, 2007 (LPAC)--The power-starved nation of Bangladesh, looking toward its first-ever nuclear power plant, has received a positive response from the United Nations nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Bangladesh is seeking to set up a 700-1000 MW capacity nuclear power plant in Rooppur in the northwest.

As far back as in 1986, LaRouche associates were involved in planning the nuclear power plant in Rooppur. Invited by the then-Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, Dr. Anwar Hussain, a number of analysts from LaRouche's Executive Intelligence Review, along with at least one IAEA official, spoke at a conference in Dhaka elucidating the necessity for Bangladesh to adopt nuclear power, in order to get its millions out of an extreme level of poverty. At the time, the IAEA official, speaking at that conference, had expressed concerns about the "competence" of Bangladeshi nuclear scientists and engineers to handle such a project.

Bangladesh submitted the work plan to the IAEA last October, giving details on how the country planned to install the nuclear power plant at Rooppur and maintain safeguards with proper management of wastes. The IAEA was pleased with the government commitment for setting up the nuclear power plant, selection of the project site, and assurance of utilizing the plant for peaceful purposes, a senior Power Division official said. A five-member delegation comprising nuclear experts from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is expected to visit Vienna by mid-January 2008 to discuss the subject.