Clinton lobbies Czech govt. to approve U.S. nuke project

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lobbied the Czech government Monday, Dec 3, to approve an American bid for a $10 billion expansion of a nuclear power plant, even as a rival Russian offer seems to be the favorite, The Associated Press reports.

Clinton made her pitch for the American energy giant Westinghouse Electric Co. in meetings with President Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Petr Necas and other senior Czech officials in Prague. Speaking to reporters, she stressed the need for the Czech Republic to wean itself off of a dependency on Russia for fuel.

"We are encouraging the Czech Republic to diversify its energy sources and suppliers," Clinton said. "Given how long-term and strategic this investment is, the Czech people deserve the best value, the most tested and trustworthy technology, an outstanding safety record, responsible and accountable management."

The Czechs get 60 percent of their oil, 70 percent of their natural gas and all of their nuclear reactor fuel from Russia. That leaves the NATO member highly susceptible to economic and political pressure from Moscow, which dominated the Central European country from the end of World War II to the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Revitalizing the Temelin nuclear power plant is a big part of the Czech agenda to radically boost its nuclear power production, defying global skepticism about the use of atomic energy in the aftermath of last year's meltdown at Japan's Fukushima plant. And the Obama administration is hoping to secure some of the windfall by securing Westinghouse's bid. The project could generate 9,000 American jobs, U.S. officials said.

To make the case, Clinton and other officials are cautioning the Czechs about the dangers of again putting their energy future in the hands of Russia. Still, a consortium led by Russia's Atomstroyexport is believed to be leading the chase to build two new reactors at the Temelin plant, amid American grumbling over alleged bribes.