 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
2/6/12 |
 |
||||||||
|
 |
Home / Publications / News |
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
RANSAC Nuclear News, November 7, 2003 Compiled By: Matthew Bouldin A. Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposition
 A. Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposition 1. RUSSIA FAVOURS INT'L COOPERATION IN SOLVING SNF PROBLEM UNITED NATIONS, November 6 (Itar-Tass) - Russia considers that the need has arisen to pool the efforts of various countries to resolve the problem of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), research reactors and nuclear-power-station ones and is ready for cooperation on the issue, Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian Minister of Nuclear Energy, said at a meeting, dealing with nuclear non-proliferation matters, at the UN headquarters on Wednesday. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) data, more than 200,000 tonnes of SNF have piled up in the world over the entire period of the existence of nuclear power engineering. Rumyantsev said specialists had been busy drawing attention for a number of years to the need to look for a rational and safe way to handle SNF. "Nowadays, this tasks, due to its magnitude and current importance, has become a global one," he emphasised. The Russian Minister believes that building under IAEA auspices several large SNF handling international centres provided with up-to-date technologies and an appropriate physical shielding, "can help meet nuclear and radiological safety requirements and contribute to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime". According to Russian officials, Russia and the United States are planning to sign soon an intergovernmental agreement on the return of SNF from research reactors built on the territories of ex-Soviet republics and Eastern European countries. Return to Menu 2. SPA RADON HOSTED RUSSIA-UKRAINE MEETING ON RADWASTE MANAGEMENT The subsequent meeting of the Russia-Ukraine coordination science and technology board on the radioactive waste management had been held at the industrial site of the Scientific and Production Association Radon, as Nuclear.Ru was informed by Rosenergoatom Concern press-center. The board meeting attended by representatives of 24 organizations and enterprises of Russia and Ukraine discussed 15 papers on acute issues of radwaste management at nuclear power plants in two countries. The board consists of representatives of relevant structural units of all nuclear power plants as well as employees of the supporting enterprises of nuclear industry and educational institutions which provide for training in this area. Since 2000, under the cooperation agreement between Rosenergoatom Concern and NAEK Energoatom, the Ukrainian nuclear plant representatives have participated in the board activities. The meeting also reviewed 2003 activity results and main tasks for 2004. The board members were got familiarized with operation of radwaste treatment facilities developed in SPA Radon. Return to Menu 3. U.N. WANTS RUSSIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST TO MONITOR NUKE WASTE VIENNA, Austria — The U.N. nuclear agency is lobbying Russia, Middle East countries, and others to join a pact to keep tabs on spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. "It is ... disappointing that more countries have not ratified the convention," Tomihiro Taniguchi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) department of nuclear safety and security, told a conference on the pact this week. He said the pact was especially important in the context of globalization of "nuclear technology and concerns over safety, security, and proliferation." Thirty-three states have ratified the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management that came into force two years ago. But most signatories are European states which are not considered proliferation threats. Missing from the list are Russia, which experts consider the main source of lost radioactive sources; much of Latin America; and the entire Middle East and Africa. The spent fuel and radioactive waste management convention covers all kinds of isotopes, from radioactive materials used in medicine to spent nuclear reactor fuel that can yield bomb-grade uranium or plutonium. In addition to fears that countries like Iran, North Korea, and pre-war Iraq have tried to develop nuclear weapons, there are concerns that terrorist groups might attempt to use radioactive material in so-called dirty bombs — explosives laced with radiation aimed mostly at spreading panic. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the IAEA has repeatedly said the world needs to create a "cradle to grave" system to track nuclear and radioactive materials to stop them falling into the hands of terrorists or rogue states. "There are very few countries who know where all their radioactive sources are," Gordon Linsley, head of waste safety at the IAEA, said at the opening of the two-week meeting on the pact. Linsley said there was no single event that had sparked the desire for this treaty, the goal of which is to "achieve and maintain a high level of safety worldwide" for these materials. But he said there were a number of events that showed how dangerous it is to live in a world where authorities lose track of radioactive materials. One such incident was in December 2001 when two containers of deadly strontium-90 were found by woodcutters in a remote forest in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. A recent European Union study estimated up to 70 radioactive sources disappear from regulatory control annually, and last year the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said U.S. companies had lost some 1,500 radioactive sources since 1996 and more than half were never recovered. Return to Menu B. Research Reactor Fuel Return 1. RUSSIA TO STEP UP RETRIEVAL OF URANIUM WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under a new agreement with the United States, Russia will retrieve highly enriched uranium it shipped to civilian research reactors in 17 countries, reducing the likelihood of theft. Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev and U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham planned to sign a bilateral statement on the uranium retrieval on Friday. Rumyantsev acknowledged the agreement in an interview Thursday but declined to give details other than to say the uranium retrieval program will be limited to Eastern Europe and countries formerly part of the Soviet Union. Other sources, who declined to be identified, said the agreement will cover 20 reactors in 17 states. The announcement is the latest attempt to address growing concern about the large amount of weapons-suitable highly enriched uranium that is kept at active and idle research reactors in dozens of countries. Most of this uranium fuel, which is weapons grade and could be used in a crude nuclear device if obtained by terrorists, originated in either Russia or the United States under an atoms-for-peace program. In some cases reactor operators do not have the money to ship the material back. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the private Arms Control Association, said the Russian agreement "would be a step forward ... a good move." But he said how good will depend on how quickly the Russians act and how comprehensive they make the retrievals. The United States has been replacing much of the highly enriched uranium it sent overseas with low-enriched uranium fuel similar to what is used in commercial nuclear power plants, thereby reducing the nuclear proliferation threat. Abraham said Thursday that about 50 percent of the U.S.-origin highly enriched uranium has been retrieved from overseas research reactors. In many of the other cases the task has been complicated because the reactors cannot easily use the low-enriched substitute. Harvard University researchers said in a report last year that there are 345 operating or idle research reactors in 58 countries that have highly enriched uranium that could be converted for use in a weapon by terrorists if they obtained the material. Security varies widely at these facilities, the report said. "In some cases security is provided by a single sleepy watchman and a chain-link fence," wrote Matthew Bunn, a researcher at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The Harvard report cited several cases of large amounts of highly enriched uranium at poorly secured research reactors in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Among them were a reactor in Ukraine that has 75 kilograms of uranium and another in Belarus with 300 kilograms of highly enriched fuel. In August, 2002, a joint operation between the United States and Russia resulted in 1,797 pounds of highly enriched uranium being whisked away from a poorly secured research reactor near Belgrade, Yugoslavia and returned to Russia. The uranium had been provided by Russia in 1976. The United States also has been working with Uzbekistan, another former Soviet state, for the disposal of highly enriched uranium from one of its research reactors. That reactor has been of special worry because of Uzbekistan's proximity to Afghanistan and to Islamic groups tied to al-Qaida terrorists. Return to Menu 2. US FOR COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN TAKING AWAY SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM FORMER USSR COUNTRIES WASHINGTON, November 5 (RIA Novosti correspondent Arkady Orlov) - The US government is interested in cooperation with Russia in transporting and disposing of spent nuclear fuel from research nuclear reactors of the former USSR countries, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev told journalists in Washington. He held talks there on Tuesday with US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. According to Rumyantsev, the discussion of the new Russian-US project in this sphere was an important part of the dialog during which mutual interest was stressed in safely removing spent nuclear fuel from research reactors. Having called this sphere "a new direction of joint work", Rumyantsev reported that the point at issue now is, in particular, the signing of a "framework agreement" which would regulate cooperation of the two countries in taking away such fuel. Earlier, the minister pointed out that the first joint project in this sphere would be an agreement on transportation of spent nuclear fuel from the Uzbek research nuclear center in Ulugbek near Tashkent. It is expected that Russia will transport and process this fuel, and the USA will provide the necessary finances. Return to Menu C. HEU Purchase Agreement 1. RUSSIAN ENRICHED URANIUM "WORKS FOR" THE USA WASHINGTON, November 4, 2003 (RIA Novosti correspondent Arkady Orlov) -- Russia plays an appreciable role on the nuclear fuel market in the United States, said Minister of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Rumyantsev. "Fifty percent of enriched uranium for the needs of atomic energy in the USA are produced in and delivered from Russia," said Rumyantsev who gave a news conference in Washington. According to the Russian minister, Russia delivers uranium to the United States under the bilateral Russian-American agreement on the use of highly enriched uranium extracted from nuclear weapons. Signed in 1993, the Agreement will be valid till 2013, and within its framework Russia annually supplies the United States with "uranium of an energetic quality" to the sum of $450 mln. Russian-American cooperation in the nuclear sphere also includes a number of other promising trends. One of them is the deliveries to the USA of highly radioactive plutonium-38 which will be used by the American space industry for the creation of energy installations and batteries necessary for research stations and probes in super-range orbits or outside the solar system, said the Russian Minister of Atomic Energy. Alexander Rumyantsev has arrived in the United States for a four-day working visit. He will conduct negotiations with US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, take part in the work of the first international exhibition of promising technologies from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan which will open on Wednesday in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and will also address the session of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York. Return to Menu D. Sub-Dismantlement 1. RUSSIA BEGINS DISMANTLING TYPHOON-CLASS SUBMARINE A Russian Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine has been sent to the Sevmash defense yard in the northern city of Severodvinsk for dismantlement, ITAR-Tass reported today (see GSN, Oct. 15). The United States is funding the dismantlement through the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, according to ITAR-Tass. Two additional Typhoons have been withdrawn from service and are also scheduled to be dismantled (ITAR-Tass/BBC Monitoring, Nov. 6). Return to Menu E. Cooperative Threat Reduction 1. ATOMIC ENERGY MINISTER OF RUSSIA MEETS U.S. SENATORS WASHINGTON, November 5 (RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT ARKADY ORLOV) - On Tuesday Russia's Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev who is staying in Washington on a working visit held meetings with chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee Republican Senator Richard Lugar and chairman of the Senate energy and natural resources committee Republican Senator Peter Domenici. According to the Russian Minister of Atomic Energy, the talks confirmed that the U.S. Senate "regards with interest and benevolently" further continuation of the existing programs of Russian-US cooperation in the nuclear power industry, as well as in the field of the non-proliferation and ensuring of safe storage of nuclear materials. It was stressed at these meetings that continuation of such cooperation between the USA and Russia meets the two states' "common goals", Rumyantsev said. Return to Menu 2. IN PHILADELPHIA RUSSIA SHOWCASES INNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING ANTITERRORIST ONES PHILADELPHIA /PENNSYLVANIA/, NOVEMBER 5 (RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT ARKADY ORLOV) - A number of Russian high-tech developments, including conversion antiterrorist projects and technologies, are for the first time on show in the United States at the exhibition Partnership for Prosperity and Security. It has opened in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Russia showcases promising technological and design developments in energy, aerospace, nanotechnology, materials and equipment, gear and substances used in industry, engineering, medicine etc. On display are also methods of detection of and control over the non-proliferation of nuclear materials and the fight against terrorism. In the central place of the Russian exhibition are developments by the Ministry of Nuclear Power, which has sent over 50 specialists to Philadelphia. The Russian delegation is headed by Minister Alexander Rumyantsev. The exhibition is organized with assistance from the US Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Alongside Russian organizations and enterprises, its participants are also developers from Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Participating in the exhibition are over 500 American companies interested in joint projects, making it possible to put promising technologies on a commercial footing. Return to Menu F. Multilateral Threat Reduction 1. NUCLEAR WASTE STOREHOUSE TO BE BUILT IN MURMANSK REGION MURMANSK - A storehouse for reactor tanks will be built on the Kola Peninsula over the course of the next six years to store accumulated radioactive waist from atomic submarines. Construction of the tanks will cost USD 342 million. At the present time 50 reactor tanks are stored in the region with accumulated nuclear waste. It is expected that in the next 10 years another 30 reactor tanks will accumulate. According to Bellona Web the construction will be carried out according to a joint Russian and German project. Germany intends to attract a large European contractor in the area of storing radioactive waist - Energiewerke Nord, which shall build a huge (5.6 hectares) warehouse facility. Germany also intends to improve the transportation and engineering infrastructure of the storage facility. The German-Russian project, developed jointly by EWN and the Russian science center Kurchatovsky Institute, offers safe storage of reactor waist, from which processed nuclear fuel has already been unloaded, over the course of at least 70 years. During the 70-year period the level of radioactivity of the waist should fall. Return to Menu G. U.S.-Russia 1. WASHINGTON, MOSCOW TO BOOST JOINT EFFORTS TO PREVENT DIRTY BOMB THREAT WASHINGTON, November 7 (RIA Novosti correspondent Arkady Orlov) - Having a longstanding experience in the field of dealing with nuclear materials, the US and Russia intend to lead international efforts to fight the threat of a "dirty bomb" - a weapon of radioactive contamination, US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said in Washington Thursday. In his words, after this March's international conference on the fight against the threat of a dirty bomb, 140 countries joined the cause. The US and Russian governments believe this threat is a serious matter addressed now by a few expert working groups established on the conference results, the secretary said. Russian Nuclear Power Minister Alexander Rumyantsev on his part told journalists that a bilateral agreement on spent nuclear fuel transportation from research reactors on the territory of the former USSR might as well be regarded as the two countries' contribution to the efforts to prevent radioactive materials from falling into unreliable hands. Return to Menu 2. RUSSIAN-U.S. CONSULTATIONS ON NORTH KOREAN ISSUE TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER MOSCOW, November 4, 2003. (RIA Novosti) - Deputy Russian foreign minister Alexander Losyukov reported that Russian-U.S. consultations on settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue were scheduled for November in Washington. The diplomat said they hoped that in the course of the forthcoming negotiations the USA would specify its position in relation to ways of settlement of the situation in the Korean peninsula in details. According to him, it would provide an opportunity to work also with North Korea and other participants of negotiations on the North Korean nuclear issue prior to the second round of negotiations. Losyukov recalled that last week Pyongyang signalled its readiness to hold the second round of negotiations on settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue and to consider the U.S. proposal to provide North Korea with "written guarantees of non-aggression". The first round took place at the end of August in Beijing in a multilateral format (Russia, USA, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and China). Losyukov indicated that the Russian party was of the opinion that at the moment thorough preparation for the second round should become a priority issue. He pointed out that in the course of the first round North Korea and the USA stated their principle positions which, as head been assumed earlier, turned out to be different or even contradictory. The diplomat stated that "at the same time the first round already manifested certain potential for subsequent progress." He added that "North Korea seemingly analyzed this potential and came to the conclusion that it was necessary to continue the negotiation process." Return to Menu 3. RUSSIAN-US AGENDA FAR FROM ACCOMPLISHED Sergei MIRONOV, Speaker of the Federation Council What is the current stage of Russia-US relations? The Cold War is history, and this is a universally acknowledged fact in Russia. However, it was not an easy matter to shut the door on it once and for all. The Cold War de facto ended in the 1980s, but its spectre overshadowed in the political minds of both countries, thereby preventing clear thinking when it came to defining a new bilateral agenda. The line was finally drawn by the Russia-US Strategic Offensive Reductions (SOR) Treaty signed by Presidents Vladimir Putin and George Bush in May 2002. This document, which completely meets Russia's interests and security demands, became the practical expression of the new strategic partnership between the US and Russia. The Treaty put an end to the gloomy epoch of Russo-American relations when the prevention of a nuclear attack and the number of warheads topped the bilateral agenda. The new global threat - international terrorism, which showed its terrible face on September 11 - made us forget about the confrontation which had long been part of the past and, instead, pool our efforts. The joint fight against international terrorism now amounts to the main common cause of our countries. Russian and American society, politicians, and businessmen face a new, extremely important question: how can our partnership be expanded and filled with practical positive and mutually advantageous content? Hardly had we started to move ahead, when our willingness to cooperate closely was seriously tested. The US and Great Britain embarked on a military operation in Iraq. Russia, Germany and France vehemently opposed the move, which had not been authorized by the United Nations. And we still adhere to the same position, as we believe it was correct. But in the context of Russo-American relations, the question was whether our differences over Iraq would obstruct our further rapprochement or even set us back. By that time, the US Congress had already ratified the SOR Treaty. Now it was up to the Russian Federal Assembly. However, against the background of the fierce criticism of the USA's actions in Iraq, the ratification was delayed. However, it would have been unforgivable to give it up completely. The decision to bid farewell to the Cold War times, when politicians referred to nuclear bipolarity any time disagreement arose between the two countries, was not an accidental move, but Russia's strategic choice. Real partners can argue and disagree with each other - this is common in the modern world. But they have no right to manipulate fear of nuclear weapons, which is why the SOR Treaty was ratified by the Russian Federal Assembly in the same year, and entered into force on June 10, 2003. So what do we have now? The recent Camp David summit between George Bush and Vladimir Putin showed that the agenda of the Russo-American relations is becoming increasingly clear and positive. Today, our dialogue relies on three pillars: the joint fight against international terrorism for the sake of maintaining international security, collective efforts to ensure non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and, finally, economic cooperation, above all in the energy sphere. The latter is a special issue because bilateral economic cooperation is relatively new to our countries and, at the same time, is quite promising. In the first six months of 2003 alone, the Russian-US trade turnover increased by more than 30% and is continuing to grow. But there is still a long way to go, as the total bilateral trade has been fluctuating around the modest figure of $10 billion in the past few years. The Russian oil industry forecasts that as a result of our expanded energy cooperation, up to 10% of US oil imports, i.e. 60 million tonnes a year, may come from Russia as early as in 5-7 years. This will definitely increase mutual trade turnover by several times. Russia, which extracts nearly 8 million barrels of crude oil a day and is the world's second largest oil exporter, is ready for this rise. In exchange, we need direct US investment in the Russian economy. We also need the broadest possible economic interaction for economic as well as political considerations, because the partnership promoted by our Presidents will only be stable and predictable if it relies on the broad foundation of bilateral relations in the most diverse areas. In this context, my personal opinion is that the agenda of the Russo-American dialogue is far from accomplished. Our partnership can and must be enhanced. Federation Council members were guided by these considerations in 2001, when they set up a Senate-Federation Council working group with their American colleagues. In February 2003, we realized it was time for us to take the next step. Accordingly, I sent a draft memorandum on the development of relations between the Federation Council and the US Senate to US Senate Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist. Hopefully, we will sign this document this November in Washington. I also expect the solution of the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment, which is still valid despite the end of the communist era and of restricted emigration from Russia, to be accelerated. Many of our colleagues in Congress understand that this is a cold war relic. Hence, there is a great deal of work ahead of us. As parliamentarians committed to enhancing Russia-US partnership, we will have to see to it that such a base of cooperation be enhanced under which relations between legislators develop on a firm and long-term basis. The same is true of the relationship between our countries, our peoples. There can be no place for any political competition. This will be our greatest contribution to stable relations between Russia and the US, and, therefore, to long-term stability in the world. Return to Menu H. Russia-Iran 1. RUSSIAN MINISTER OF ATOMIC ENERGY VISITING US WASHINGTON, November 7 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev, now on a visit in Washington, had a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser to the U.S. President, on Thursday. They discussed the problem of nuclear non-proliferation, including in connection with Iran's nuclear programme. President George W.Bush joined them for a while during their conversation. On the same day Rumyantsev met U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton. Previously Rumyantsev held a series of consultations with his U.S. counterpart Spencer Abraham, at which they also mentioned Iran. Speaking at a press conference, Rumyantsev said that Russia was trying to persuade Iran to give up the idea of creating a closed fuel cycle for nuclear reactors. He reminded, however, that Iran had not proclaimed its intention to stop the work for the enrichment of uranium. Teheran only stated that it could suspend the work for an indefinite period of time. Rumyantsev said that the production of fuel for nuclear power plants (NPP) was "a domestic affair of Iran." At the same time, Russian officials explained to Iranians on more than one occasion that "it would not be reasonable from the economic point of view, and from the physical point of view it would be difficult and unsafe." Moreover, Russia could deliver fresh fuel for the NPP in Bushehr during the whole of its service life. "It will be several times less expensive for Iran," Rumyantsev added. He reaffirmed that Russia could begin the deliveries of nuclear fuel only on condition that the used fuel would be returned to Russia. Moscow is determined to conclude a corresponding agreement with Iran. Rumyantsev pointed to the fact that the Bushehr NPP, which Russia is building, does not bring Iran closer to the technologies for the production of nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, the United States continues to be seriously concerned about it. Abraham said at the press conference that the U.S. stand on the problem of Bushehr was well known. At the same time, he admitted that the agreement of the Iranian leaders to sign an additional protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was a positive step. Now Teheran should fully meet the demands of the world community, including the answering of all questions about its nuclear programme, Abraham said. Return to Menu 2. SNSC SECRETARY ROWHANI TO VISIT VIENNA, MOSCOW FOR NUCLEAR TALKS Tehran, Nov 7, IRNA -- The Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani will visit Moscow and Vienna next week for talks on Iran`s peaceful nuclear energy activities, an informed official at the Foreign Ministry announced here Friday. The official told IRNA that Rowhani will first visit Vienna for talks with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran-IAEA nuclear cooperation. He rejected speculations that Rowhani will be carrying a letter from Iran for the IAEA (over Iran`s signing the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT]) in his Vienna visit, and stressed that Tehran is currently implementing the final studies over the letter. The official stressed that the letter will be submitted to IAEA by Iran`s representative to the agency within the coming days. He further added that Rowhani will discuss Iran`s peaceful nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia in his meetings with Russian officials later next week. Return to Menu 3. TEHRAN NOT TO PRODUCE NUCLEAR FUEL? WASHINGTON, November 7 (RIA Novosti correspondent Arkady Orlov) - Russia calls on Tehran not to produce its own nuclear fuel, but count on Russia instead, who could provide Iran with this fuel during the whole period of operation of the Iranian nuclear power plant (NPP) (late 2005 is the time of planned physical launch of the first unit of this NPP, being built by Russian specialists on the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf), Russian Nuclear Power Minister Alexander Rumyantsev told a Thursday press conference in the US Department of Energy in Washington. Rumyantsev reported that, according to the Russian side's opinion, Iran's production of fuel for the Iranian reactor wouldn't be expedient. Noting that Russia can continuously provide Iran with nuclear fuel, Rumyantsev stressed it would be several times cheaper. The Russian minister emphasized that the construction of an NPP in Bushehr does not bring Tehran closer to possession of military purpose nuclear technologies. Rumyantsev noted it was necessary to decide the issue of returning spent nuclear fuel from Iran to Russia. "The new fuel delivery is conditioned by spent fuel return to Russia," Rumyantsev stressed. Return to Menu 4. ATOMIC POWER PLANT IN IRAN IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS NEW YORK, November 6, 2003(RIA Novosti) - Russia is building an atomic power plant in Iran in strict accordance with international agreements and attentively sees to it that no sensitive nuclear technologies be shared within this project. Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev told reporters about this on Wednesday in the United Nations HQ. He underscored that the construction of the atomic power plant in Bushehr was going on under the strict control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Within a year the IAEA inspectors have carried out more than sixty checks. Considering that there are only fifty-two weeks in a year, this means that they make their inspections every week, and so far they have not found anything that would contradict the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," said Alexander Rumyantsev. The Russian Atomic Energy Minister said that in the next two weeks the IAEA governing council would consider the Iranian scientific-technological developments in the nuclear sphere. "We shall attentively follow this session," underscored Alexander Rumyantsev. Return to Menu 5. RUSSIA TO BE QUIZZED OVER NUCLEAR AID TO IRAN EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The sensitive issue of Moscow’s nuclear assistance to Iran will be raised by EU leaders during the twice-yearly EU-Russia summit which takes place today in Rome, the EUobserver has learned. At the meeting, EU representatives will ask Russian President, Vladimir Putin, for more details of a deal that has seen Moscow help build the controversial Bushehr nuclear reactor - which some allege is a crucial part of Tehran's strategy to acquire nuclear weapons. European concerns about Bushehr have lead to a series of low-key discussions between the EU and Russia, but few details are known about the outcome of these talks. Worried? A Commission spokesperson told the EUobserver that the matter would be raised, but as long as the deal did not break any international rules on the use of nuclear material, and that spent nuclear material was returned to Russia, the cooperation would give no cause for concern. The Spokesperson however, refused to say if the information which the EU currently holds about nuclear cooperation between the two countries raises cause for concern. Despite Iran apparently agreeing to return spent fuel to Russia, the EU will no doubt continue to be concerned that the know-how gained by Iranians in running Bushehr could be used for further projects. Best offices Russia has been a key player in convincing Iran to agree to sign up to intrusive inspections by international observers, which Tehran agreed to do during a visit by the three EU foreign ministers to the country last month. Coming after months of pressure, Tehran’s announcement was seen as a major, albeit qualified vindication, of the EU’s policy of constructive engagement with Iran. But with questions remaining as to whether Iran will follow through with the promises last month to European leaders and the situation still tense, Brussels is now coming under fire for some aspects of its policy. The EU is being urged in some quarters to initiate a regional security dialogue as a way of addressing some of the many security issues in the region. "The EU needs to stop having to react to a negative agenda", Steven Everts of the Centre for European Reform told the EUobserver, "Iran does have some legitimate security concerns". Return to Menu 6. RUSSIA REJECTS US CLAIM ON BLOCKING BUSHEHR NUCLEAR ENERGY PROJECT Moscow, Nov 5, IRNA -- Spokesman to Russia’s Ministry of Atomic Energy Nikolai Shingarev here on Wednesday rejected the US claim that Iran may stop the process of construction of Bushehr Power Station. In an exclusive interview with IRNA, he described the claim as incorrect and reaffirmed that Russia will not stop the project in Bushehr. "The conclusion of the construction process of the first unit of Bushehr nuclear power plant depends on several factors, specially technical aspects, which are expected to be settled shortly," he added. He noted that though the project is likely to be commissioned in 2005, Russia will do its best to expedite the process. Turning to US claim on Russia’s change of policy towards Iran’s nuclear program, he rejected such a claim and said that his country does not intend to stop its cooperation with Iran. "Russia should have reasonable grounds to block the construction of Bushehr power plant, while there is no evidence of transgression of international laws by Iran," he added. In response to a question on politicizing the issue, he regretted that Iran’s nuclear activity is being too much politicized. Return to Menu 7. BUSHEHR NPS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH MOST UP TO DATE SAFETY MEANS Novovoronezh, Russia, Nov 4, Itar-Tass/ACSNA/IRNA -- The nuclear power station at Bushehr will be equipped with the most up to date safety means. Russian specialists participating in the construction of that power station in Iran `undoubtedly, take into account the trends of such work at nuclear power stations in Russia`, Boris Antonov, the deputy technical director of Rosenergoatom concern, told Tass. He said the most contemporary safety system has been created at the stages of designing, construction and installing equipment at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Antonov said federal laws drawn up in Russia in recent years rigidly regulate the operation of nuclear facilities and this applies to the power station in Iran. Joint inspections of safety systems with the Iranian side will take place before putting the power station into operation, which is scheduled for 2005. The Russian side will train over 100 specialists who will be checking the operation of safety systems and organizing medical, radiation and chemical protection of the station`s operators against the damaging factors of natural and technogenic origin, Antonov said. Return to Menu 8. IRAN TO RETURN NUCLEAR WASTE TO RUSSIA WASHINGTON, November 4, 2003 (RIA Novosti correspondent Arkady Orlov). Iran intends to sign an additional protocol to the agreement with Russia requiring nuclear waste from the future Bushehr (the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf) atomic power plant to be returned to Russia, said Russian atomic energy minister Alexander Rumyantsev. At a press conference in Washington on Monday, Rumyantsev said that Iranians are close to signing the agreement. The minister also said that the document is currently being technically coordinated. Russia, which has considerable experience working with nuclear waste, is coordinating the details using global standards. According to the Russian minister, Russia is building an atomic power station in Iran under the supervision of the IAEA and does not share prohibited technologies with Iran. "We are not cooperating with Iran in any dubious areas. We are only building the Bushehr power plant," Rumyantsev said. "We plan to commission it in late 2005 and link it with the state's energy system in 2006. Return to Menu 9. SIGNING OF IAEA PROTOCOL WILL MAKE IRAN`S NUCLEAR PROGRAM PEACEFUL Washington, Nov 4, Itar-Tass/ACSNA/IRNA -- The Iranian nuclear program will become absolutely peaceful when Tehran signs the additional protocol to the guarantees agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev, who is on a working visit here, told reporters on Monday. Broader inspections of Iranian nuclear installations by international experts will make secret works to develop nuclear weapons practically impossible, he noted. The problem of Russia-Iran cooperation in the nuclear field, Rumyantsev stated, will be discussed during his meetings with US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary of State John Bolton. Construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is still disturbing the American side, although Russia is not violating any international agreements there, Rumyantsev said. However, he added, "The tone of our American colleagues is changing notably since they have come to realize that we are not passing over any sensitive technologies to Iran." The Russian minister said he would also hold consultations with US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and with Senators Richard Lugar and Peter Domenici, who are devoting much attention to problems of nuclear non-proliferation. Moreover, Rumyantsev will go to Philadelphia, where an exhibition of new Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakh technologies is to be held. Enterprises of the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy are broadly represented there. After that, Rumyantsev will go to New York in order to address, together with Spencer Abraham, one of the UN committees on the subject of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Return to Menu 10. US PLEASED WITH RUSSIAN PRESSURE ON IRAN: OFFICIAL WASHINGTON, Nov 4, (AFP) -- A senior State Department official said that Washington is pleased with Russian efforts to pressure Iran to comply with international nuclear agreements. The main building of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, is shown at the city of Bushehr, 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) southwest of the capital Tehran, Tuesday, March 11, 2003. The United States accuses Iran of secretly working to manufacture highly enriched uranium, which can be used to make atomic bombs. Russian support is key in that respect, because Moscow is building Iran's first nuclear power reactor at Bushehr, which has been fiercely criticized by Washington and Israel. "The Russians have been very supportive of what we have been trying to do in the IAEA," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I think they, to some degree, have that religion as far as the dangers posed by Iran's nuclear programs, and they are working with us to try to get (Iran) to comply with the IAEA's demands." International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohamed ElBaradei earlier told the Spanish newspaper El Pais that his agency would report at a November 20 meeting that Iran has failed to honor some international nuclear safeguards. It was the first confirmation by the IAEA that new Iranian information, filed ahead of an October 31 deadline, showed Iranian failures in honoring nuclear safeguards agreements. Tehran faces the possibility the IAEA will judge it to be in non-compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and send the issue to the UN Security Council, which could then impose sanctions. The United States accuses Iran of secretly working to manufacture highly enriched uranium, which can be used to make atomic bombs. Russian support is key in that respect, because Moscow is building Iran's first nuclear power reactor at Bushehr, which has been fiercely criticized by Washington and Israel. "I think that if Iran backslides on the commitments that it has now made, doesn't follow through, then the Russians, at the end of the day, however reluctant, would be prepared to cut the Bushehr project," the official said. Return to Menu I. Russia-India 1. MOSCOW EXPECTS INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MOSCOW, November 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Foreign Ministry official spokesman Alexander Yakovenko stated that in the course of next week's visit to Russia by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the parties planned to sign a number of bilateral agreements. Yakovenko stated that "a significant package of documents on various areas of cooperation which would further strengthen the legal and contractual basis of Russian-Indian relations is to be signed." The foreign ministry spokesman added that Russia and India were looking for ways to increase volumes of trade, to improve its structure. Moscow was of the opinion that it could be achieved through increased proportion of high-tech and science-intensive products, creation of favorable conditions for exchange of investments, for industrial cooperation, for better cooperation between small and medium-size businesses. Alexander Yakovenko added that the first ever large-scale joint Russian-Indian Navy exercises in the Indian ocean which took place in May 2003 were the logical result of Russian-Indian military-technical ties. The foreign ministry spokesman reported that both sides were "satisfied with efficient cooperation in the area of implementation of such large projects as oil extraction with participation of an Indian company at one of the Sakhalin shelves (Sakhalin-1 project), construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in the south of India, exploration of hydrocarbon raw materials on the shelf of the Bengal Bay." Return to Menu J. Russian Nuclear Industry 1. IN ROSTOVSKAYA OBLAST A REACTOR IN THE VOLRDONSK NPP WAS SWITCHED OFF Translated by RANSAC Staff Volgodonsk (Rostovskaya Oblast). 7 November. INTERFAX-South – Due to a brief short circuit in the Tikhoretskii energy line in the Volgodonsk NPP in Rostovskaya Oblast protective measures activated and the reactor was switched off. A source in the administration of the Volgodonsk NPP informed news agency “Interfax-South” on Friday that a brief short circuit occurred around 12:42 Moscow time on Friday. During the operation of the accident protective measures, there occurred in the NPP a breakage in equipment of the generator station. “The first (and only – “IF”) block was stopped, the reactor switched off, and repair work is underway,” said the agency’s interlocutor. In the words of the source, radiological conditions at the NPP are within norms, no other kinds of hazardous situations arose. Return to Menu 2. MINISTER SAYS NUCLEAR MAY HELP TO WIN THE RACE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADING Nuclear power gives a chance of winning the race of mankind with inevitable degrading of environment resulting from exploration of natural resources. RIA Novosti reports this as said by Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev addressing the UN General Assembly meeting on disarmament and security. He noted that nuclear power share in world energy generation is nearly 16 percents and its further large-scale development depends on further improvement of safety, higher competitiveness, success in resolving the issues of feedstock and radioactive waste management. According to the Minister, now it is high time for the world countries to merge efforts to solve the problem of disposal of irradiated nuclear fuel (INF) from research reactors and nuclear power plants which stocks exceed 200,000 tons and increment 10,000 tons annually. “The future construction under the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) auspices of several centralized international INF management centers furnished with modern technologies and adequate physical protection will enable us to meet the nuclear and radiation safety requirements and foster strengthening of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime,” the Minister stressed. He said Russia constantly pays attention to physical protection, control and accounting of nuclear weapons, technologies and materials to prevent their getting into hands of international terrorists. ”In light of decisions we made in Evian this year we will be seeking for harmonization of the principles, earlier approved in Kananaskis, aimed at preventing terrorists’, or those supporting them, access to weapons of mass destruction,” Rumyantsev said. He noted that Russia considers the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970 as the most important factor of securing global stability and attaches great significance to preparation of the 2005 NPT Review Conference. The Minister called a next step in nuclear disarmament the ratification of the Russia-US Treaty on the Reduction of Offensive Strategic Potentials to cut them down to 1,700-2,200 units on both sides by December 31, 2012. Return to Menu 3. NOVOVORONEZH NPP INSPECTED ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS The Rosenergoatom Concern’s commission conducted an inspection of how the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant is prepared for confining and eliminating emergencies, as Nuclear.Ru was informed by the Concern’s press-center. According to the commission chairman, Rosenergoatom technical deputy director Boris Antonov, the analysis of the NPP special units’ actions has demonstrated the plant’s preparedness for elimination of such situations. The scheduled inspection program, which was conducted at such scale at Russian NPPs for the first time, included the review of the personnel action plans in the event of an emergency at Novovoronezh nuclear plant, arrangements for medical aid, radiation and chemical protection against natural and man-induced impacts. During the inspection the new documents developed on the basis of the recent federal laws and governmental decisions regulating activities of nuclear facilities were in test use. Rosenergoatom plans for such inspections at other Russian nuclear power plants in near future. Return to Menu 4. V. GOVORUKHIN: MINATOM IS CALM AND OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ATOMSTROYEXPORT SITUATION “Minatom takes the situation with JSC Atomstroyexport in calm and optimistic manner proceeding from the fact that there is an agreement in principle on the return of the controlling block of stock to the state”, Valeri Govorukhin, the State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Atomic Energy, commenting on Nuclear.Ru request the election of Kakha Bendukidze the JSC Atomstroyexport director general. According to Govorukhin, currently the issue timeframe and mechanism of this agreement is under discussion. The JSC Obiedinenniye Mekhanicheskiye Zavody (united mechanical plants) (OMZ) wishes to undertake it next year. Minatom took the proposal with understanding. “For us the result that matters but not the speed it is achieved with”, Govorukhin stressed. ”We are partners, said the Deputy Minister. “However, considering the fact that construction of nuclear power plants in Iran and other countries is conducted in accordance with international agreements and that targeted budget funds have been allocated for these purposes as well as considering the opinion of the foreign customer who insists on the state-level supervision over the construction process, we believe that the state must control the situation”. For this end it is necessary for TVEL and Zarubezhatomenergostroi have in total over 50% of the stock. “We have common understanding of this issue with the new Atomstroyexport director general”, Govorukhin noted. Today the stock is divided as follows: 52.8 %, 44 % and 2.2 %. The Deputy Minister stressed that it is not the case of confronting and arguing. “Being the federal authority, Minatom will execute its share of work and the private business – its share as it understands the case”, he noted adding that if some discrepancies were to take place, Minatom would undoubtedly and adequately respond depending on their nature. Return to Menu 5. VOLGODONSK-2 CONSTRUCTION PROSPECTS DISCUSSED IN VOLGODONSK The Don Legislative Assembly Commission which oversees construction progress and operation of Volgodonsk nuclear power plant (NPP) discussed prospects of construction of the second power unit of Volgodonsk nuclear plant and environmental facilities incorporated into the NPP so-called start-up complex, as Nuclear.Ru was informed by the Volgodonsk nuclear plant regional information service. According to Volgodonsk NPP Director Alexander Palamarchuk, at the plant there are no obstacles to commission the power unit in 2006. “The main problem is the lacking of the required finance”, he stressed. The Commission paid great attention to environmental issues of Volgodonsk NPP operation, in particular, the construction in Volgodonsk of a storage site for toxic, construction and household waste and the plant cooling pond. The Commission recommended the Rostov Region administration to adopt region-wise programs for environmental improvement in the Don river region and provide for the necessary budgeted funds. In addition it is planned to organize in 2004 an independent environmental monitoring near Volgodosk NPP and in region. To this end it was proposed to set up a mobile laboratory. The Commission also suggested to establish a working group to develop projects aimed at improving reliability, cost-efficiency and safety of Volgodonsk nuclear power plant. Return to Menu K. Official Statements 1. Secretary Abraham And Minister Rumyantsev Sign Joint Statement On The Return Of Russian Research Reactor Fuel Reflects the Cooperation and Progress on Nonproliferation Between the Two Countries WASHINGTON, DC- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and the Minister of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy Aleksandr Rumyantsev signed a joint statement today to repatriate Russian-origin high-enriched uranium (HEU) research reactor fuel to Russia. The joint statement is the latest step in nonproliferation discussions and demonstrates the relationship of cooperation and progress between the U.S. and Russia. “The Joint Statement that we are signing today reaffirms our common objective of reducing, and to the extent possible, ultimately eliminating the use of highly enriched uranium in civil nuclear activity,” Secretary Abraham said. “The goal of minimizing international commerce in HEU has long been a pillar of U.S. nonproliferation policy,” Secretary Abraham said. “This program exemplifies the strength of the U.S and Russian Federation partnership to reduce the threat of terrorism and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.” The U.S. and the Russian Federation, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), began work on fuel return in December 1999. The program was designed to support the return of Soviet or Russian supplied fresh and irradiated HEU fuel, currently stored at foreign research reactors, to the Russian Federation. “Under this program, we are focusing our efforts on repatriating Russian-supplied fuel from more than 20 research reactors in 17 countries,” Secretary Abraham said. “Moreover, we plan to convert these targeted research reactors so that they use low-enriched uranium fuel instead of HEU.” Fuel return efforts are well under way, according to Secretary Abraham. In September 2003, Russia accepted approximately 14 kilograms of fresh Russian-origin HEU from Romania. The HEU was airlifted from Bucharest, Romania to Russia where it is waiting to be down-blended and used for nuclear power plant fuel fabrication. The U.S. and Russia also reached an agreement on the next fresh fuel shipment, which is planned to be implemented by the end of this year. The Joint Statement is one of the final steps to a bilateral agreement on repatriation of research reactor fuel. “Our governments have completed negotiations on a bilateral agreement under which more then a dozen other countries will become eligible to ship their fresh and spent research reactor fuel to Russia for safe and secure disposition,” Secretary Abraham said. “I am delighted to report that this agreement will soon be finalized and signed.” The signing concludes a four-day visit by Minister Rumyansev with Secretary Abraham which included visits to the Partnerships for Prosperity and Security Trade Show in Philadelphia and to the United Nations First Committee on Disarmament and International Security in New York City. Return to Menu 2. Statement By Alexander Yakovenko, The Official Spokesman Of Russia's Ministry Of Foreign Affairs On The Expediency Of A Return To Iraq Of Iaea Inspectors 2514-05-11-2003 Moscow has taken note of the statement of Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the IAEA, made in the course of the presentation of the annual report of this organization at the 58th session of the UN General Assembly, on the expediency of a return of the Agency's inspectors to Iraq to continue to collect data regarding nuclear activities in that country. We share this point of view. We consider that the matter of Iraqi WMD cannot be finally closed until UNMOVIC and IAEA, as envisaged by the appropriate resolutions of the UN Security Council, report that there are no weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles on the territory of Iraq. Pursuant to resolution 1483, the Security Council should return to the consideration of the question of the activities of UNMOVIC and IAEA in Iraq. Return to Menu 3. Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Ambassador To Russia At The Partnerships For Prosperity And Security Tradeshow: Building U.S. -Russian Partnerships In Science And Technology The ambitious program to find productive civilian employment for former weapons scientists that the United States and Russia have worked for the last ten years will be on display today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia. It is a program that my government believes in very strongly, having invested millions of dollars in the effort since its inception. More than 15,000 scientists, engineers and technicians have participated. Though it has attracted little attention outside the community of experts it serves, it has been a major success. The extent of its success will be on display at a tradeshow in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 5-6 entitled "Partnerships for Prosperity and Security." More than 250 Russian scientists and engineers will unveil cutting-edge technologies that evolved from work conducted in Russian scientific institutes. Hundreds of U.S. business representatives already investing in or considering investing in Russia will attend this event, which is of benefit to both Russia and the United States on a number of levels. Finding peaceful commercial applications for technologies developed in Russian scientific institutes contributes to global security, creates jobs in many closed nuclear cities, and promotes U.S. investment in the Russian high-tech sector. This is good for Russia, good for the United States, and fully consistent with the larger agenda Presidents Bush and Putin have set for U.S-Russian relations. The Philadelphia tradeshow is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy in cooperation with the Russian Ministry for Atomic Energy (MinAtom). Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev and Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham will both speak at the opening session of the conference, setting the stage for a tradeshow that will promote efforts by government and industry to market advanced technologies that have been developed by former weapons scientists and other Russian experts under our joint nonproliferation and energy programs. The U.S. Industry Coalition (USIC) -- a non-profit association of U.S. companies committed to business partnerships with Russian companies -- is playing a key role in organizing the tradeshow. The purpose of the tradeshow is to highlight the many existing successful partnerships between U.S. and Russian companies and promote new partnerships. It will feature more than 100 high-technology products ready for commercial use in such areas as nuclear fuel and reactor technology, fuel cells, nuclear detection technology, aerospace engineering, information technology, and nanotechnology. The products that will be exhibited in Philadelphia were chosen in a competitive selection process. Only proven technologies that are ready for commercial application will be exhibited. By bringing Russian scientific experts together with businessmen who know the markets, the tradeshow will encourage U.S. investment and advance the development of state-of-the-art technologies here in Russia. Russian companies will unveil new innovative technologies and gain direct access to potential markets for these technologies for the first time. The tradeshow will also introduce U.S. companies -- many of which have never before considered investing in Russia -- to the immense potential of Russia's scientific and engineering talent. The tradeshow provides us with an opportunity to accelerate our joint efforts to employ former weapons scientists in peaceful endeavors. Under the leadership of Secretary Abraham and Minister Rumyantsev, many successful programs have already been implemented to prevent the proliferation of nuclear materials, technology and weapons expertise, ensuring that they do not fall into the hands of terrorists or state sponsors of terrorism. And while we have had in place a longstanding effort with Russia to convert defense-related technologies to peaceful use, the Philadelphia Trade Show will be one of the most ambitious efforts to date to accelerate this process. I am optimistic that in addition to yielding economic benefits, the technologies being showcased in Philadelphia will have a significant impact in the global war on terrorism. The threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is greater than ever before. As co-founders of most of the key nonproliferation regimes, it is only to be expected that the United States and Russia should be at the forefront of efforts to keep weapons know-how and technology out of the hands of terrorists. The commercial partnerships between Russian and American scientists and businessmen being promoted in Philadelphia will have a significant impact here at the microeconomic level as well, providing an economic boost to regions that have benefited less from Russia's growth than Moscow. Let me offer a concrete example. In March of this year, Minister Rumyantsev invited me to see firsthand the results of our nonproliferation cooperation in the nuclear city of Snezhinsk, which is located about 100 kilometers south of Yekaterinburg. During this visit, I met with the business director of a small start-up company. He and a few of his colleagues left the nuclear weapons institute in Snezhinsk to start their own company three years ago. Over the last three years the company has grown to employ over 100 people, virtually all of whom are former weapons scientists and engineers. This week they will be traveling to Philadelphia to display an array of products – some of which are for the Russian market and some for the U.S. market. In Philadelphia, they will display an oil well perforator that was designed using funding from DOE’s Nuclear Cities Initiative and is now in serial production for sale to Russian oil companies. They will also exhibit a number of medical devices developed under DOE’s Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention Program that they will produce in a joint venture with the U.S. company Numotech. These devices include, among others, a back support system and a total contact seat to aid disabled people confined to wheelchairs. This company is just one example of the many current and prospective joint efforts that will be on display at the tradeshow. The Philadelphia Trade Show will make a reality of our presidents' shared commitment to working together to counter the threat of terrorism and promote trade and investment between our countries. I look forward to meeting my Russian colleagues in Philadelphia to move forward on our joint effort to protect our peoples, improve economic prospects in both countries, and promote the transformation of enterprises founded on Cold War fears into companies based on hope and the pursuit of a better future for Russians and Americans. Return to Menu 4. Energy Secretary Abraham And Russian Atomic Energy Minister Rumyantsev Announce First Ever U.S.-Russian Business Venture In Closed Nuclear City Joint venture to foster trade and investment between countries PHILADELPHIA, PA – U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Russian Atomic Energy Minister Aleksandr Rumyantsev today announced the first joint venture project between a U.S. company and a Russian company founded in a closed nuclear city. This groundbreaking project, which furthers the nonproliferation efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy, will employ former Russian nuclear scientists to manufacture medical components, equipment and devices. A Russian nuclear city is a closed territory where nuclear weapons design and production takes place. “This first foreign joint venture in any of the closed nuclear cities of Russia will represent yet another milestone in the Department of Energy’s Russian Transition Initiatives (RTI) program,” Secretary Abraham said. “To date this program has engaged nearly 15,000 weapons workers. Its successes have been critical to safeguarding vulnerable Russian nuclear expertise, facilities, and know-how.” The joint venture between Numotech, Inc., a Northridge, California medical devices company, and Spektr-Conversion, LLC, a Russian entrepreneurial start-up, will make life-changing medical products available to millions of people worldwide. Projects include the Back Support System, the first clinically-proven product to prevent and heal pressure ulcers for those confined to wheelchairs, and the Numobag, a unique oxygen bath system for healing wounds, pressure sores, burns and incisions. Nearly 100 former employees of the Russian Federation’s All Russian Scientific and Research Institute for Technical Physics (VNIITF), who previously worked on the manufacturing and design of nuclear weapons, are now employed at Spektr-Conversion. The company is now an independent research and development and prototype manufacturer, and is no longer associated with VNIITF. The Numotech-Spektr Conversion joint venture culminates three years of U.S. government support under the RTI and is expected to create over 400 permanent local jobs. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) expects to support this joint venture through its commitment to provide a $10 million loan to leverage additional funds from outside investors, along with a commitment of up to $25 million in political risk insurance coverage for eligible equity investors. “This significant partnership gives us a blueprint for future collaboration between U.S. companies and the talented scientists in the former Soviet Union,” Secretary Abraham said. Also involved in the joint venture is Sandia National Laboratories, a multi-program laboratory operated by the Lockheed Martin Company for DOE. Sandia validates the venture’s technologies and provides technical assistance for the project. As an active participant in the RTI program, Sandia mentors Russian scientists in making the transition from defense to civilian industry. Secretary Abraham and Minister Rumyantsev made the announcement at the first-ever Partnerships for Prosperity & Security exhibition-conference in Philadelphia, where world-class scientists and engineers from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan unveiled 140 technologies, many of which have been previously inaccessible to U.S. companies. The Department of Energy’s RTI works in partnership with American industry to transform the infrastructure of the Russian nuclear weapons complex to permanent non-military, commercial uses. The program serves an important non-proliferation goal by re-directing Russian nuclear weapons scientists to non-nuclear efforts. RTI is implemented through two programs—the Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention (IPP) and the Nuclear Cities Initiative (NCI). Return to Menu 5. Minister Frattini And Igor Ivanov Signed Two Bilateral Agreements, One On Italian Assistance In The Dismantling Of Russian Nuclear Submarines And One On The Destruction Of The Former Soviet Union’s Chemical Weapons Roma, 5 november 2003 In the course of the visit to Italy by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, Ministers for Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini and Igor Ivanov signed two bilateral agreements this afternoon, one on Italian assistance in the dismantling of Russian nuclear submarines and one on the destruction of the former Soviet Union’s chemical weapons The agreement on nuclear submarines envisages the security management of radioactive waste and of depleted nuclear fuel. The second agreement foresees the creation of a special plant in the city of Pochep for the destruction of chemical weapons. The two agreements establish the concession of a total Italian financial contribution of 720 million euro, which could result in industrial and technological benefits for our country. The agreements signed today fall within the understandings reached at the G8 summit held at Kananaskis in June 2002, where an important programme for the reduction of arms and materials of mass destruction was outlined. “With today’s signing, in addition to being a significant outcome on the level of relations with the Russian Federation, Italy proves to be one of the countries most engaged in the implementation of the Kananaskis programme”, commented Minister for Foreign Affairs Frattini. Return to Menu 6. Remarks By Secretary Of Energy Spencer Abraham Before The "Partnerships For Prosperity & Security" Tradeshow And Conference Joint Venture Announcement Philadelphia, PA In my remarks a few moments ago I spoke of the tremendous importance of joint ventures between U.S. companies and the best scientific minds from the former Soviet Union’s weapons complex. So it gives me great pleasure this morning to recognize another such groundbreaking joint venture. Numotech, Inc. – a company based in Northridge, California, that specializes in medical devices and wound care treatment – is entering into an historic agreement with the Russian industrial engineering and design firm Spektr Conversion to manufacture highly specialized medical devices. We have here one of the initial venture products– a wheelchair equipped with “active” seat and back cushions. These breakthrough cushion devices are designed to alleviate sustained pressure on any one part of the body, a painful and costly problem for wheelchair users. This joint venture is an unprecedented achievement. When fully realized, it will create over 400 permanent local jobs for scientists from the Soviet Union’s weapons complex. This is, of course, very good news. What is particularly exciting is that, when finalized, it will be the first successful foreign venture in a Russian closed nuclear city – the closed city of Snezhinsk in the Ural Mountains. During the Cold War, C-70, as the city was then known, was vital to the Soviet Union’s nuclear weapons program. During the coming years, we believe Snezhinsk will be a leader in the production and development of peaceful cutting-edge technologies with widespread commercial application and serve as an example for other scientists who seek an alternative to weapons work. This first foreign joint venture in any of the closed nuclear cities of Russia will represent yet another milestone in the Department of Energy’s Russian Transition Initiatives program. To date this program has engaged nearly 15,000 weapons workers. Its successes have been critical to safeguarding vulnerable Russian nuclear expertise, facilities, and know-how. I want to commend a number of individuals, particularly my Minatom counterpart, Minister Alexander Rumyantsev; Terri Olascoaga, from Sandia National Laboratories; Michael Lempres, Vice President of Insurance of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; Vic Alessi of the United States Industry Coalition; Jarius DeWalt, of the M.R. Beal and Company Investment Banking firm; and, not least, Spektr-Conversion Director Anatoly Ivanov and Numotech President Dr. Robert Felton. Their cooperation and dedication in the face of numerous obstacles has resulted in today’s historic agreement. This significant partnership gives us a blueprint for future collaboration between US companies and the talented scientists in the former Soviet Union I wish everyone success in this groundbreaking endeavor. I am going to ask the Minister to say a few words, and after that we would like Dr. Felton, Ms. Olascoaga, and Director Ivanov to join us at the podium for a presentation. Return to Menu 7. Remarks By Secretary Of Energy Spencer Abraham Before The Plenary Session, "Partnerships For Prosperity & Security" Tradeshow And Conference Nov 5, 2003 Philadelphia, PA Thank you. It’s a tremendous pleasure to help open the first Partnerships for Prosperity and Security tradeshow and conference. I’d like to especially commend Congressman Curt Weldon for taking this event from the drawing board to reality. Curt has provided solid leadership in Congress with regard to the United States’ relationship with Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. This conference is an outgrowth of those efforts to better engage the United States with the former Soviet states. Let me also thank Minister Rumyantsev for attending this week. Over the last several years the Minister and I have worked closely on a number of issues, particularly questions related to nonproliferation. It has been gratifying to work with someone with such a deep, sincere commitment to a safer, more secure world for all our peoples. I would also like to acknowledge the representatives from the Kazakhstan and Ukrainian governments for their participation and efforts to make this show possible. Moreover, allow me to thank the United States Industry Coalition for its sponsorship, and the various other partners for their support. I would also like to thank Ambassador Linton Brooks and Deputy Administrator Paul Longsworth, of NNSA, and the leadership and staff of the Russian Transition Initiatives program. Finally, I’d like to welcome all the American companies represented here. I am confident that over the course of this event you will find numerous opportunities to partner with some of the best technical experts from the former Soviet Union … in the process, striking a blow for a more peaceful future. For some time now we have worked to address the question of displaced scientists and engineers who were part of the former Soviet weapons complex. Promoting employment and economic development opportunities for these individuals is one of the Minister’s and my highest priorities. And I am proud of the significant resources my Department is devoting to creating peaceful commercial prospects for them. So far, we have witnessed a number of encouraging developments in these efforts to create jobs and partnerships for former Soviet weapons scientists. In Connecticut, United Technologies has teamed with a Ukrainian company – Paton Electric Welding Institute – and the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories to develop a brazing process improvement for stainless steel tubes and fittings on commercial jet engines. Across the country in New Mexico, Stolar Horizon, Inc. is working with a Russian company – the Institute for Measuring Systems – and with DOE's Kansas City Plant to develop technology for advanced radar mapping of geologic structures. We are particularly excited about this partnership because it sharply reduces the need for exploratory drilling to delineate coal seams, reducing the cost of underground coal mining. This benefit becomes more pronounced as smaller, deeper coal deposits are mined. Right here in Philadelphia, a local company – CTG Software – is working with Moscow-based Luxsoft and the Kurchatov Institute to train software developers and database managers who were formerly employed in weapons of mass destruction work at Kurchatov and other Russian institutes. The result is dozens of newly trained software developers and database managers employed by various software companies, banks, advertising agencies, and other private companies in Moscow. The Argonide Corporation of Florida has partnered with Novosibirsk’s Design Technology Center, the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in Novosibirsk, and DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop nanoceramic fibers for virus and bacteria detection and removal. These unique fibers might have broad applications in analytical instrumentation as well as bioprocessing. Preliminary estimates for these niche markets are in the tens of millions of dollars. And North Carolina-based Global Nuclear Fuels and RWE Nukem of Danbury, Connecticut, are partnering with the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in Kazakhstan and Brookhaven National Lab to help Ulba develop its capacity as a commercial supplier to the global nuclear fuel market. I am proud of each of these successful endeavors and the role they are playing to help bring about a safer world. But I am not satisfied. We need more instances of this kind of technical cooperation. The Partnerships for Prosperity and Security tradeshow is a step in the right direction. This is the first such conference bringing together so many U.S. companies and technical experts from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. These are resourceful, talented men and women. I am glad that such great numbers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills this week. And I know that U.S. companies are always looking for top-flight scientific minds to create the products of the future. This conference also is the first look many of us will have of the advanced technologies developed in the labs and scientific institutes of the former Soviet Union. There is no question that many of these technologies can have wider applications in the global marketplace, just like those developed in the Department of Energy’s national labs. There is a dazzling array of technologies in the exhibit hall. On display are more than 100 high technology products ready for commercialization in areas ranging from nuclear fuel and reactor technology to fuel cells, aerospace, and nanotechnology. There are even several technologies specifically designed to aid nonproliferation efforts and reduce terrorism threats. Among these are face recognition software, portable diagnostics, and chemical and biological detectors. I encourage everyone in attendance to spend time in the exhibit hall investigating these scientific marvels. I also want to mention the panel discussions that will be taking place throughout the course of the show. They are very important. They are intended to help U.S. industry better understand the benefits and risks of working in the former Soviet Union. They also are designed to help scientists from the former Soviet Union understand the needs and demands of U.S. industry. This tradeshow ought to be a catalyst for beneficial exchanges and partnerships. I am glad of the role my Department is taking to make them happen. But it doesn’t end with this show. DOE is committed to following through after this conference to help facilitate partnerships through our Russian Transition Initiatives program. To date this program has engaged nearly 15,000 weapons workers. And it has made tremendous strides toward safeguarding vulnerable Russian nuclear expertise, facilities, and know-how. Following the Plenary Session, I’d like to invite everyone to join me and Minister Rumyantsev to celebrate a landmark joint venture between a U.S. company and a Russian company founded in a closed nuclear city. This event will take place in the Main Exhibit Hall in front of the Department of Energy Russian Transition Initiatives booth. I hope to see you all there. Once again, I want to thank everyone for coming and making this show such a success. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved. It is a win for companies that will partner with top-flight scientists. It is a win for those scientists, who will find new, peaceful outlets for their expertise. And it is a win for our multilateral nonproliferation efforts. Return to Menu 8. Remarks By Secretary Of Energy Spencer Abraham Before The United Nations November 5, 2003 United Nations New York, NY Thank you. It’s a tremendous honor to be here this afternoon. I value the opportunity to discuss our ongoing nonproliferation efforts before this august body at a time when the international community is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” vision, which he unveiled right here at the United Nations. A central feature of that vision – eliminating the threats posed by the spread of dangerous nuclear materials – is to be commended. It is one we share. One indication of the seriousness we bring to these issues can be seen in the Department of Energy’s budget for nonproliferation programs. When the Bush Administration took office in 2001, my Department’s budget for this work was about $850 million. Two years later, the President’s FY ’04 request for DOE’s nonproliferation programs has increased by more than half, and is now nearly $1.3 billion. That money is being well spent. We are enjoying concrete results. This is in large part due to the exemplary cooperation the United States enjoys from Russia’s Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev, and I am pleased that we can be here together for this joint appearance. For two years, we have worked closely together to reduce proliferation threats by personally overseeing the implementation of critical bilateral cooperative nonproliferation programs. Minister Rumyantsev holds a deep commitment to reducing such threats, and he has been instrumental in helping to accelerate timetables for completing many key efforts. I know he is as proud as I am of the progress that we have made. If I may speak for Minister Rumyantsev, allow me to say that our nations are committed to this progress because we believe in the Nonproliferation Treaty. We both take seriously our responsibilities and commitments under Article VI. Today I’d like to begin with a review of the concrete steps our nations have taken on that front. Our commitment is exemplified by the Moscow Treaty, which will require about a two-thirds decrease in each nation’s strategic nuclear warheads – to between 1700 and 2200 – by 2012. This represents a major disarmament achievement and a true sign of the strengthened U.S.-Russia strategic partnership. Working together, we have taken steps to end the production of weapons-usable fissile material; to dispose of excess defense material – including that removed from dismantled nuclear weapons; and to redirect nuclear resources in Russia and elsewhere toward peaceful, commercial applications. Our efforts enhance transparency and cooperation, and, I think, help to establish a basis for a mutually beneficial, more secure bilateral relationship that virtually assures that the nuclear arms race becomes a relic of the past. In 1997, we entered into the bilateral Plutonium Production Reactor Agreement with Russia that codified the shutdown of 14 U.S. plutonium production reactors, along with 10 such reactors in Russia. Further progress on this agreement was made just last March, when Minister Rumyantsev and I signed an important implementing agreement that will lead to the shutdown of the last three reactors in Russia that are still producing weapons-grade plutonium. We are continuing to take steps to dispose of some 700 tons of fissile material declared in excess of defense needs – including a significant amount of material removed from nuclear weapons. This effort directly contributes to the irreversibility of the nuclear arms reduction process. More than 170 tons of Russia’s HEU has been converted to non-weapons grade material for use in American commercial reactors. Altogether, 500 metric tons of Russia’s HEU will be converted and used to support civilian nuclear power. And let me emphasize, the vast majority of the 700 metric tons of excess fissile material is subject to verification or to transparency measures pursuant to U.S.-Russian negotiated arrangements. We are also committed to creating a stockpile in the United States of low-enriched uranium derived from Russian HEU, further reducing HEU inventories. This stockpile will be used to augment our strategic uranium reserve to enhance our domestic energy security. Additionally, allow me to mention the unilateral steps that the United States has taken in this regard. The United States has not produced fissile material for nuclear weapons for more than a decade. The United States has identified 174 tons of excess HEU that will be blended down and used for civil purposes. To date, over 40 metric tons have been downblended and like Russia, we remain committed to disposing of 34 metric tons of excess plutonium. The United States has also placed 12 more tons of excess fissile material under IAEA safeguards. To date, the quantities of excess fissile material removed from the military stockpiles of both nations and slated for disposition are equivalent to eliminating, irreversibly, enough material for well over 30,000 nuclear weapons. And we will continue to look for ways to increase the amount of excess material that could be eliminated. All of these efforts mark real progress toward nuclear disarmament. I cite these examples because I think it is important that you know the depths of our commitment to nonproliferation, and to the NPT itself. I believe the NPT and the organization that is most associated with it, the International Atomic Energy Agency, are properly the center of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Because the treaty is so important, it is critical that the international community be constantly vigilant and prepared to deal with threats to it. We must take every measure possible to ensure nothing is allowed to erode its power and weaken it, or to weaken the IAEA. But the fact is, today’s efforts to counter the spread of dangerous nuclear materials face serious challenges from those seeking such materials for potentially evil purposes. Illicit efforts to acquire nuclear and radiological weapons technologies and materials continue to be reported at alarming rates. There are real reasons for concern. Another very real concern, one that truly tests our sincere nonproliferation efforts, is that the way the NPT is structured provides a framework in which a state may acquire many of those assets needed to develop nuclear weapons capability … all the while proclaiming peaceful intentions and posturing as a member in good standing of the NPT … and then break away from the treaty, renounce its safeguards, and utilize these capabilities to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons. Our special challenge, then, will be to find ways to build on the nonproliferation successes of the past and overcome the challenges of the present, so that our ability to enjoy the benefits of peaceful nuclear cooperation can be expanded and sustained well into the future. I think this challenge needs to be addressed on three specific fronts. The First Front is to take concrete, achievable steps that enhance and improve traditional nonproliferation measures. A few weeks ago at the IAEA’s General Conference in Vienna, I laid out practical steps we can implement to strengthen the nonproliferation regime and to help secure its long-term viability. These steps include: strengthening safeguards, for example, through widespread adoption of the Additional Protocol; strengthening roadblocks to trafficking in nuclear and radiological materials and technologies for weapons purposes; and strengthening the security of research reactors or other such facilities where nuclear and non-nuclear radiological material may be located. Progress is being made in each of these areas. I am hopeful that Senate hearings on the United States Additional Protocol will take place in the next few months, and we urge all nations to sign and implement their own Additional Protocols with the IAEA. Dozens of countries have expressed their support for the objectives of the Proliferation Security Initiative, which President Bush proposed in Poland last May, to interdict traffic worldwide in weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems, and related materials. Several interdiction training exercises have been held, and we anticipate additional activities in which PSI countries can participate in the near future. Strengthening the security of research and test reactors where nuclear or radiological materials may be found, goes to the heart of President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace message. It is part of a legitimate and effective strategy for ensuring that the peaceful applications of nuclear technology can continue to be enjoyed by all responsible nations – so long as all such states take steps to strengthen nonproliferation norms. Such facilities support important medical and industrial research, and other legitimate peaceful applications of nuclear technology. They are also potential targets for sabotage, theft or attack. So we must ensure that potential security threats associated with these facilities are reduced. In Romania, to cite one example, the United States will provide up to $4 million to support the purchase of low-enriched uranium for a research reactor located there. This will help with plans to convert that reactor to use low enriched fuel, instead of HEU. This is key to reducing the reactor’s attractiveness to terrorists or other threats, even as the reactor will continue to be used for peaceful purposes. This operation exemplifies ways to reduce security risks at these sites, without sacrificing the peaceful benefits of nuclear technology. It is a model for what must be done, and on an urgent basis. I am also pleased to announce a follow on to the international conference the Department of Energy conducted earlier this year with Russia and the IAEA on the threat posed by radiological dispersal devices. My Department recently established a special high-level task force that will focus its attention on reducing potential threats from high-risk radiological sources, including those that may be found at research and test reactors. At the conference we held last March, Russia, the IAEA, and my Department spelled out the issues that most needed to be addressed by the international community, particularly efforts to detect and interdict illicit trafficking in high-risk radioactive sources. Our new task force has already begun several cooperative activities with the IAEA and its member states to secure radiological materials worldwide. I am confident these efforts will help focus our resources and cooperation on reducing the global threat of RDDs. The Second Front requires addressing the fundamental challenges to the nonproliferation regime. Events of recent years – particularly in the cases of North Korea and Iran – call into question the very ideas we have drawn upon in deciding how to contain the nuclear threat. The nonproliferation regime’s weaknesses become woefully apparent when a state joins the NPT, professes peaceful intentions, and then abuses the Treaty by using it as a cover to build up a nuclear weapons capability which it then publicly declares through abrogation of or withdrawal from the Treaty. North Korea has been in violation of the NPT since 1993. Yet there has been no concrete progress over the last decade toward remedying that violation. To the contrary, we know that North Korea was able to continue to make progress on its nuclear weapons program during this period, namely by pursuing a covert uranium enrichment program. North Korea’s activities send a worrisome message to other would-be proliferants – but the responsible nations of the international community must send an even stronger message. We must learn from this chain of events, and not allow it to happen again. With respect to Iran, we welcome the efforts of the UK, French, and German foreign ministers to obtain full compliance with that nation’s IAEA and NPT requirements. The decision Iran announced to sign and implement the Additional Protocol, to cooperate fully, and to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities is a positive step in the right direction. If Iran carries out the obligations it has undertaken – especially if it abandons its enrichment and reprocessing activities – it will show what can be achieved when the international community sends the same firm message on the need to comply with nonproliferation requirements. We must be vigilant to see that this promise is fully kept. That means to ensure: That there is full declaration of all imported material and components related to uranium enrichment; That there is unrestricted access, including environmental sampling, for the IAEA to locations the IAEA requires; That all questions regarding uranium enrichment centrifuge testing are resolved; That complete information on uranium conversion experiments is divulged; and that Iran provides such other information, explanations, or action that the IAEA deems necessary. We must do this for the evident reasons, of course. But we must do it for other reasons, as well, that go beyond the immediate question of Iran. For how the international community responds to such challenges – whether in North Korea or Iran today or somewhere else tomorrow – will significantly affect how well the nonproliferation regime survives and flourishes over the next fifty years. The Third Front requires us to reconceptualize underlying security relationships for the long term. No states should be able to pursue nuclear weapons under the guise of pursuing so-called “legitimate” nuclear programs for peaceful purposes. Hence we need to tighten constraints that prevent the acquisition of materials and supplies that could contribute to nuclear weapons programs. And we must insist upon strong enforcement of international controls when such programs come to light. There are two steps we must take. First, we must reinforce the nuclear proliferation risks posed by the acquisition of enrichment and reprocessing capabilities. Possession of these capacities in the hands of states with questionable commitments to the NPT should automatically raise a warning sign and should be discouraged. Second, we must strengthen IAEA safeguards against – or consider stronger steps to discourage – indigenous enrichment or reprocessing that could support illegitimate and proscribed activities. While the Additional Protocol will help, we need to think of further ways to address this problem. We should look for ways to ensure that the IAEA has the tools it needs to effectively address the problem posed by a state like North Korea, before such a State announces it has established a nuclear weapons capability. We also may need to think about new approaches to the fuel cycle that strictly limit the use of enrichment and reprocessing and access to nuclear weapons technology … while ensuring that nuclear medicine, agriculture, energy supplies, and other critical benefits can be enjoyed in all responsible nations. In short, we need to think about how to ensure that the essential “bargain” between nuclear and non-nuclear states – a bargain central to advancing the underlying principles of Atoms for Peace – can be sustained into the future. Let me be clear. We are dedicated to the Nonproliferation Treaty, and to its central aims and goals. And because of this commitment, we desire to strengthen the NPT in every instance to ensure that those aims and goals can be achieved. So we want to buttress the NPT’s underlying obligations, while making them relevant to today’s security environment. And we sincerely hope the international community will focus its attention on this important problem in the months ahead. Once again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to brief you on our Administration’s views on nonproliferation, and the actions we are taking to implement our own commitments. More importantly, thank you for your partnership in the global efforts that are essential to reducing the threats posed by the spread of dangerous nuclear materials. We face serious but not insurmountable challenges. We can meet and overcome the challenges, but only if we act with resolve. By working closely together, I am confident we will move ever closer to fulfilling the hopeful, peaceful vision President Eisenhower spelled out 50 years ago. Thank you. Return to Menu 9. Statement By Deputy Permanent Representative Of The Russian Federation To The United Nations Alexander V.Konuzin At The Plenary Meeting Of The 58th Un Ga Session On Agenda Item 14 “Report Of The International Atomic Energy Agency” November 3, 2003 2512-05-11-2003 Mr. President, The Russian Federation extends its greetings to IAEA Director General Mr. M. ElBaradei and expresses its thanks to him for submitting the Annual Report of the Agency. As an active member of IAEA Russia is satisfied with the Agency’s work and recognizes its increasing role and importance in strengthening the international regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and ensuring the required level of confidence for cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy and safe nuclear power production. We reaffirm the need for further strengthening and increasing the efficiency of IAEA’s system of safeguards as the basis for nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime. Terrorist acts in Russia, the United States, other countries, recent dramatic developments in the Middle East, critical situation in Iraq clearly demonstrate the danger coming from the international terrorism to the entire world community, and demand our consolidated efforts in order to establish a global system to counter new challenges and threats, including those in the nuclear sphere. A key role in ensuring international security is played by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We hope that preparations to the 2005 NPT Review Conference will help consolidate the maximum number of States to uphold the main goals and objectives of the Treaty. The Russian-American Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty now entered into force is an important contribution by Russia to the strengthening of strategic stability, and an evidence of Russia’s compliance with its obligations under Article VI of the NPT. We are convinced that this Treaty goes beyond the framework of bilateral relations and meets the interests of all the countries in the world. A substantial element of nuclear disarmament for us is the disposal of excessive weapon-grade materials and nuclear weapons reduction. We continue to implement the Agreement between the governments of the Russian Federation and the United States of America dated February 18, 1993 concerning the disposition of highly enriched uranium extracted from nuclear weapons. We would like to express our support to the IAEA Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles, which is being implemented under the auspices of the Agency within the framework of the year 2000 General Conference Resolution entitled “Strengthening the Agency’s Activities Related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications”. This draft is a practical step towards implementing the initiative by the President of the Russian Federation V.V.Putin announced at the Millennium Summit to develop proliferation – safe nuclear technologies. We note that the IAEA General Conference approved, at its last September session, the Russian-proposed resolution on Agency’s activities in this area. The recent years Russian has paid ever-growing attention to research and development of new nuclear technologies. Pursuant to the Government approved Strategy of Nuclear Power Development in Russia in the first half of the XXI century, a number of innovation projects have been started with thermal and fast neutron reactors in order to address, among others, the problems of safe use of weapons-grade and energy plutonium, and prepare the transition to complete closed fuel cycle. Let me bear on some aspects of the Agency’s activity that are in the focus of international attention. We are following the development of situation around Iran’s nuclear programme. We welcome the steps by the Irani side to start a dialogue with IAEA in order to clear up the matters taken up by the Agency with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We appreciate the work conducted at present by Teheran together with IAEA experts as an advance in the right direction. We are convinced that in the future all the problems between Iran and IAEA should be resolved through cooperation. We expect that Iran will fully comply with the provisions of the September Resolution of the IAEA Board of Governors. We regard this resolution as a work plan for IAEA and Iran formulated by the Board of Governors to clarify as soon as possible the pending issues. We hope that by the next meeting of the Board of Governors it will be possible to record substantial progress in implementing the measures contained in the resolution; and this question will be moved back from political debates to the routine track of work between the Agency and one of the Member States. We welcome the readiness declared by Iran to sign Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement with the Agency, and to refrain from operations involving sensitive elements of nuclear fuel cycle, especially uranium enrichment experiments. We regard these decisions as a major step forward by the Irani leadership. We believe that at present the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme is excessively politicized. We hope that it will be possible to move it back to the area of regular IAEA inspection activity. We do not see at present any reasons to reduce our cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the nuclear field – since this cooperation is fully transparent and does not violate international obligations, either of Russia, or of Iran. As regards the nuclear programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, we would like to mention that Russia has made political and diplomatic efforts with a view to an earliest resumption of talks to settle the North-Korean nuclear problem within the six-party format. We welcome the agreement in principle on conducting a new round of multilateral talks within the framework of the Beijing process. It is necessary to arrive at a comprehensive solution to this problem, which should include measures to make the Korean peninsula a non-nuclear area, to stop the Pyongyang’s military nuclear programme, to get the DPRK back to NPT, and cooperate with IAEA with due account of legitimate interests of DPRK such as guarantees of its security and favorable environment for its economic development. We believe that the decision of Pyongyang to withdraw from NPT is reversible. In conclusion let me express our support to the consensus resolution of UN GA on the IAEA report drafted by our Spanish colleagues upon the outcome of negotiations in Vienna. Russia appreciates the work done by the IAEA and has become a cosponsor to this draft. May I also take this opportunity to invite representatives of the UN Member States to the meeting to address U.S.–Russian non-proliferation measures to meet global security challenges that will be co-hosted by Russian Minister of Atomic Energy A.V. Rumyantsev and US Secretary of Energy S.Abraham. The meeting will be held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber at 4 p.m. on November 5. Return to Menu 10. Daily Press Briefing (excerpted) [...] QUESTION: Okay. And I don't know that the Deputy Secretary has met with the Russian visitor yet, of the parliament, a fellow by the name of Mironov, has he? MR. ERELI: No. Deputy Secretary Armitage will meet with Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Russian Parliament's Federation Council later today. I expect they'll discuss the full range of bilateral issues, counterterrorism, HIV/AIDS, and democratization. QUESTION: How about Iran -- nuclear? MR. ERELI: That is also one of the issues on the, in the bilateral relationship. I don't know if that'll come up. QUESTION: Oh, sorry. Gotcha. MR. ERELI: But it would not be strange if it did. [...] QUESTION: Do you have a date on the U.S.-Russia consultation on North Korea this month, or in Washington? MR. ERELI: No, I don't. I don't have a date for you on that. [...] QUESTION: Yesterday, Mohamed ElBaradei, in speaking to the United Nations, said that he would like to see all plutonium and uranium reprocessing brought under a multinational program, more oversight. As I understand it, this is something that's come up before, but he's really been pushing it in the last few weeks. What's the U.S. position on that suggestion? MR. ERELI: I would say our position is that we are working hard to strengthen the existing nuclear nonproliferation regime, and measures that address the threat of enrichment and reprocessing in nuclear and nonproliferation states of proliferation concern are high on our agenda. The Director General has suggested multinational control of enrichment and reprocessing facilities as one possibility and he has provided some ideas. We welcome his contribution to the public debate, and concern that enrichment and reprocessing have potential military as well as civilian purposes is a long standing issue, and, for example, we and other supplier countries have export policies in place that limit or deny assistance to other countries in these areas of the nuclear fuel cycle. QUESTION: So does that mean that you think there are already enough safeguards in the system, and if that's true -- MR. ERELI: No, we are consistently looking for ways to strengthen the regime. This is one idea. We welcome that idea and we welcome his contribution to the public debate on this issue. And we'll work with all NPT signatories, as well as the international community, to strengthen controls, so that nuclear energy is used peacefully. QUESTION: Well, does that mean the U.S. Government is considering this? (Inaudible). MR. ERELI: It's an ongoing process. I mean, it's a debate, and to the extent that it contributes to that debate, which it does, we welcome it. That sounds pretty self-explanatory. QUESTION: You say the United States -- QUESTION: It doesn't, actually. It's not. QUESTION: Are you saying that the United States -- I haven't seen the details of this proposal, but are you saying the United States is willing to consider submitting its own plutonium reprocessing to this multinational regime? MR. ERELI: What I'm saying is, we welcome the idea of special controls on enrichment and reprocessing facilities, as has been suggested by Dr. ElBaradei, and we will work with Dr. ElBaradei and others to look at ways that that can be effectively implemented. QUESTION: So, yes. QUESTION: Including your own processing -- reprocessing -- I don't know, I'm asking you. MR. ERELI: That gets to a level of expertise, Jonathan that I just don't have. QUESTION: Well, not really, it's a matter of principle rather than expertise. [...] Return to Menu 11. Interview With The Ansa Italian News Agency, Corriere Della Sera Newspaper And The Rai Television Company (excerpted) [...] QUESTION: Sergei Ivanov recently said that Russia will increase its nuclear potential if NATO does not change its aggressive doctrine. How do you see the development of interaction with the United States, with the West in general in the security sphere? And I would also like to ask you if Russia has also made changes in its military doctrine, which allows for the possibility of making preventive nuclear strikes? VLADIMIR PUTIN: As for the improvement of quality and quantity figures for our nuclear deterrence forces, we will do this regardless of what NATO does. NATO is not relevant here. All nuclear powers improve their nuclear potential, and Russia will do the same. But our nuclear policies, unlike for example the policies of the Soviet Union, are not directed against anyone, they are only directed towards improving our security. Russia is in favour of strictly observing all regimes of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and rocket technology. We adhere to these rules ourselves, and hope that others will act in the same way. As we are a major nuclear power, along with the United States, of course, we have a particular responsibility for this. And in this sense, the United States is a natural strategic partner for us. We have a plan of joint work, we have mutual understanding in this issue, we are in constant contact, including on the most sensitive subjects of the present day, such as the system of anti-rocket defence, for example. We feel that we can work together. We intend to work together, and are ready for this joint work. As for possible use of force in international affairs, we believe that this is an extreme means, we are opposed to the use of force in international force. Modern international law has established clear criteria of possible use of force. Force can be used solely by the decision of the UN Security Council. QUESTION: Preventative force? VLADIMIR PUTIN: Any force. And modern Russia has never violated these fundamental principles of international law. We intend to adhere to these rules in the future, and call on everyone to act in a similar way. But if the principle of preventive use of force is established in international practice, then Russia will have the right to act in a similar way to protect its national interests. [...] Return to Menu L. Links 1. JOINT STATEMENT of U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and Minister of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy Aleksandr Rumyantsev on Cooperation to Transfer Russian-origin High-Enriched Uranium Research Reactor Fuel to the Russian Federation Return to Menu 2. THE EMERGENCE OF A EUROPEAN 'STRATEGIC PERSONALITY' Return to Menu 3. NUCLEAR HANGOVER: ADDRESSING THE COLD WAR LEGACY Return to Menu DISCLAIMER: Nuclear News is presented for informational purposes only. Views presented in any given article are those of the individual author or source and not of RANSAC. RANSAC takes no responsibility for the technical accuracy of information contained in any article presented in Nuclear News. RANSAC's Nuclear News is compiled two to three times weekly. To be automatically removed from our mailing list, click on the following link: Remove Me From The List If you have questions/comments/concerns, please reply to news@ransac.org |
|
|
|
© 2007 Partnership for Global Security. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement.