The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency says it has reached an agreement with the Brazilian government to inspect that nation's uranium enrichment facility.
U.N. Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters early Thursday, that he had reached an agreement in principle with Brazil to inspect the Resende uranium enrichment plant in southeast Brazil.
The agency seeks to ensure any enriched uranium produced at the plant would be used only for generating power, not a weapons program.
On Wednesday, Brazilian Science and Technology Minister Eduardo Campos said Brazil had received permission from the U.N. nuclear agency to activate the facility. But. Mr. ElBaradei indicated Wednesday that statement was premature.
Brazil had initially denied the U.N. inspectors full access to the facility, claiming the nation needed to protect its technological secrets.