From: BBC News

Brazil is to begin enriching uranium officially with the backing of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the government has announced.
International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors paid a "successful" visit to the Resende enrichment plant in mid-November, a minister told reporters.

Science and Technology Minister Eduardo Campos said production of enriched uranium would start within months.

IAEA officials did not immediately comment on the announcement.

Mr Campos said on Wednesday that an IAEA team had visited Resende on 16-18 November to verify information on work at the closely guarded plant.

"The visit was considered completely successful by both sides," he said.

"It means that from the point of view of international safeguards, the plant can start working."

He added that tests could start "immediately" though it could be eight months before production of fuel for nuclear reactors would begin.

Espionage fears

The government had been refusing to show all of its centrifuge technology responsible for enrichment.

It had argued that its hardware was more advanced than that of other countries and must be protected from industrial espionage.

The IAEA, in turn, has been aware that it cannot be seen to give Brazil preferential treatment at a time when it is taking a tough line with Iran on exactly the same issue.

Brazil has two nuclear power reactors - Angra I and Angra II - and is considering constructing of a third.

There was speculation earlier in the week that visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin might offer some nuclear deal but nothing was announced.

However, Mr Putin did pledge help for Brazil's oil sector, its space programme and its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.