Germany Proposes Shared Nuclear Facilities

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (file photo) (epa)

September 17, 2006 -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has proposed the creation of shared, U.N.-monitored uranium enrichment facilities as an alternative to individual countries acquiring their own enrichment technology.

Steinmeier told the "Handelsblatt" newspaper that such facilities could be supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

This would allow all countries to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program, while removing the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.

(Reuters)