Guinea to go nuclear?

After the discovery earlier this month of major uranium reserves in the country, the Guinean government has announced that it is seeking nuclear power as an antidote to the country's energy woes. The government said it wants to start talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

No word yet on if the Bush administration will threaten to launch a military aggression against Guinea if they start a nuclear energy program.

The government's plan is so farcical, I don't know what to make of it. Known as 'the water tower of West Africa,' Guinea has enormous potential to generate hydroelectric power. But the sector has been so badly mismanaged that access to electricity is the exception, rather than the norm.

Almost comically, When a government spokesman appeared on state television to announce Guinea's intention to seek nuclear power many people would have missed the news altogether because of yet another power cut .

They can't feed their people. They can't pay soldiers. It is second most corrupt regime in the world. It presides over the 3rd most unstable country on Earth not at war. The rule of law is non-existent.

But the Guinean government thinks it can run something as dangerous as nuclear power even though it hasn't proven competent in any other area (except keeping power and money in the hands of Lansana Conté's mafia)?

Frightening indeed.