RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The Brazilian government said Tuesday that it is "normal" for the United Nations to inspect its nuclear installations, but made it clear that the procedure has to be negotiated to protect the industrial secrets.

    Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Viegas told the press that these types of inspections are envisaged in accords signed between Brazil and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    "It is necessary, however, to negotiate with the international agency the specific characteristics of future protection accords that will rule the inspections at the Resende's production units,"the minister was quoted as saying.

    Viegas made the remarks during a meeting in Brasilia to discussan infrastructure and defense plan in an area bordering Colombia in Amazonas state.

    Resende, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, hosts a crude uranium enriching plant used to generate electricity in Brazil.

    IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei had warned in an interview with Brazilian daily O Globo in Moscow that this country had to allow the inspection of its facilities at Resende.

    "We have inspected uranium enriching centers in many countries without revealing any industrial secret. Brazil will not be the exception," ElBaradei said in the interview.

    Since last year, Brazil has been negotiating an accord with the IAEA to allow inspections at Resende.

    The Brazilian government stressed that the country's constitution bans the development of nuclear weapons and the country has proved many times that its nuclear project has peaceful goals.

    ElBaradei said the IAEA is not concerned about the purpose of the Brazilian nuclear project, but only wishes to do its job. Enditem