Neo-axis

Time to crank up the ol' axis of evil rhetoric:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday his government is starting research into peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Chavez did not give details, but he has previously said he is interested in developing nuclear power just like Iran and Brazil are doing. "Brazil has advanced in its nuclear research, nuclear power, and that's valid. Argentina too, and we also are starting to do research and projects in the area of nuclear energy, with peaceful aims of course," Chavez said during his weekly radio and TV program "Hello President."

Chavez, whose country is the world's fifth largest oil exporter, has said he is interested in working with Iran to explore peaceful nuclear energy. Chavez has insisted that Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy despite opposition from the U.S.

The Venezuelan president said he spoke by phone recently with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, and hoped to visit Iran soon.