You give, we give, are the terms being discussed between Libya and the Ukraine. The two Governments are at the bargaining table deciding how each other’s national products can benefit the other. It is no secret that Moscow and the Ukraine have strained relations over oil supply issues, and Libya is in desperate need of foreign investment, after years of being ostracized by the global community because of reported ties to terrorism, so a partnership by the two countries would seem to make sense.
Viktor Yushchenko, the Ukrainian president, is prepared to offer “peaceful” nuclear technology, the use of Ukrainian agricultural land, and construction of both roads and railways in Libya; not to mention the recent supply of the Antonov AF-124-100 cargo plane, the world’s largest cargo aircraft. In return, Libya will grant oil and gas rights to a Ukrainian petroleum company.
Libya’s quest for nuclear energy may seem arguable being that it sits on top of possibly the largest oil reserves in Africa and has a population of only five million. However, according to Alan McDonald, an official with the Atomic Energy Agency, this may be a strategic economic move because with oil prices sharply increasing, more money can be made selling oil on the global market rather than burning it domestically for little money.
As of now, South Africa utilizes the only two nuclear reactors on the continent, soon to be joined by Algeria and Morocco. Egypt recently announced its intention to revive its nuclear program as well and has been offered assistance by Russia and France.