President Jacques Chirac hailed Tuesday’s fusion reactor deal and thanked rival Japan for paving the way to a compromise. ‘‘It is a big success for France, for Europe and for all the partners of the ITER,’’ Chirac said in a statement.‘‘The President also sent a message of thanks to the Japanese Prime Minister. for the spirit of dialogue and mutual confidence which prevailed throughout the discussions and allowed an international consensus to be reached on the choice of site for ITER,’’ the statement said. Chirac thanked the European Commission for support during negotiations. —ReutersEnvironmentalists angryPARIS: Environmental groups responded angrily on Tuesday to a deal to build the world’s first nuclear fusion reactor in France—a project that Greenpeace termed as a ridiculous waste of money. ‘‘At a time when it is universally recognised that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Greenpeace considers it ridiculous to use resources and billions of euros on this project,’’ the group said in a statement issued on Tuesday. —Reuters
