In 1990, Brazil took the decision to quit the arms race and to help make Latin America a nuclear weapons-free zone.

Since then, there has been an extraordinary turnaround.

The arms race has been renewed and other nations are desperate to join the nuclear club.

"Brazil renounced nuclear weapons and this was endorsed by the Brazilian population, the Brazilian political parties, the press, so this now belongs to the Brazilian civic culture," he says.

"We believe that it's important for us to be a democratic country not based on nuclear weapons."

Brazil's first civilian government made a very public show of stopping the secret work.

Professor Jose Goldemberg of the University of Sao Paulo exposed the secret project and helped to shut it down.

Though he still works on peaceful atomic research, he does have one regret: That the rest of the world has not rewarded Brazil enough for its unilateral action.

He is concerned that this lack of appreciation will not encourage other countries to follow the same path.

No turning back

Brazil has benefited from its decision to pursue a non-nuclear policy.

At the vast military research establishment where scientists worked in secret on the bomb, they now use their money and know-how to build satellites and to further develop Brazil's space programme.

Despite this favoured position, some Brazilians regret that their country has not been rewarded with a bigger voice in world affairs.

President Cardoso plays down any disappointment. Instead, he is quick to emphasise his authority as civilian commander-in-chief.

The armed forces are now reconciled to this fact and are resigned to life without nuclear weapons.