Brussels, 10/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Greens Group in the European Parliament used the start of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU to draw attention to the risk of proliferation, referring to President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans for nuclear expansion. A public hearing, “Atoms for peace - the security fallout”, on risks to international security of the adoption of nuclear power in countries which are currently not using this form of energy generation was held in the Parliament on 9 July, the day before Sarkozy presented his programme to MEPs. During this hearing Marie Anne Isler Béguin (France) and Rebecca Harms (Germany) called for caution. “France is pursuing its own interests in pushing its nuclear industry beyond EU borders. As Nicolas Sarkozy takes over the EU Presidency, the international nuclear industry is hoping for a major push for the use of nuclear power inside and outside the EU. The promotion of nuclear energy and spread of nuclear know-how is an irresponsible gamble with international security,” they say in a press release. “Potential military use of nuclear technology is too often missing from the debate. The Commission has acknowledged the dangers but remains complicit in nuclear expansion. Its communication on nuclear safety and security lists 'newcomer' countries interested in building first nuclear power stations on their territory, but conveniently omits Libya, whose dictatorial leader Muanmar Gaddafi was recently received by President Sarkozy with promises of nuclear assistance. None of the potential nuclear newcomer countries have the necessary infrastructure in place to operate, control, maintain and fuel nuclear plants, let alone manage facilities and long-term strategies for high grade nuclear waste. What are the motives for selling nuclear plants to countries in northern Africa and the Middle East that are awash with natural gas and oil reserves?” they ask. (E.H. /transl.rt)