POLÍTICA NUCLEAR
cooldinating Latin America's overall energy programs in coopera–
tion with the nuclear role of
OPÁJI>"lAL
and the
IAEA.
There was division regarding the róle of
CIEN.
It
was noted that
the goals of
OPANAL
and
CIEl\1
are increasingly overlapping. Most
supported an enhanced róIe for
OPANAL
in the peaceful uses of nu–
clear energy and sorne favored abolition of
CIEN.
It
was argued
that devisive nuclear issues can't be handled in the context of tile
Inter-American system and that efforts at regional nuclear cooperat·
íon through
CIEN
have been largely non-productive. Others felt
CIEN
has an important role in the future regional cooperative ef–
forts in the hemisphere.
Sorne participants also favored another attempt to create a La–
tin American coordinating group in the nuclear energy area under
the auspices of the
IAEA
(following up an earlier
19,76
effort which
was not successful,
RANDAL).
It
was felt that such an eHort, p:orhaps
in cooperation with
OPAjNAL,
and with the strong support oí nuclear
supplier nations could provide an important stimulus to regional
cooperation in Latin America.
Participants were al! in agreement that creation of a new regio–
nal organization for the coordinatíon of nuclear energy in Latin
America was undesirable. Rather it was believed that the essential
need is to facilita te better communication and coordination among
the existing regional agencies (particularly
OLADE
and
OPA'NAL)
and
between them and the
JAEA.
Regional nuclear cooperation.-
Regardíng the future prospects oí
regional nuclear cooperatíon in Latín America many participants
noted that Latín American countries have undertaken a number of
partíally successful regional eHorts in areas other than nuclear and
share common traditions which
it
is believed would be supportive
of nuclear cooperation. In stating this there was full appreciation
of the many distinct politícal and security differences among Latín
American nations which will need be resolved prior to substantive
progress.
Al! participants believed that an essential first step toward regio–
nal cooperation is more bilateral nuclear arrangements among La–
tin American nations. It was recommended that such cooperatían
can begin through information sharing, exchange of experts, and
joint research projects (as is illustrated by the recent agreement be-
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