Georgia denies uranium enrichment rumors

The government of Georgia “categorically denies” rumors that it was preparing to enrich uranium and considered building a nuclear power plant. A CNN iReport blogger wrote that uranium enrichment facilities were being prepared at Georgia’s Delta military center. “This entry in the CNN iReport blog is, of course, a hoax,” Georgia’s First Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Mariam Valishvili said, adding that the report could be a deliberate provocation and was not an official CNN report. She also denied reports that the Georgian administration planned to build a nuclear power plant in the country. Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri earlier said his country might need a nuclear power plant in 30 years. “Georgia has neither need nor capability to carry out such plans to date. But it’s hard to predict what will happen in 30-50 years,” Valishvili said.