***************************************************************** 11/24/06 **** RADIATION BULLETIN(RADBULL) **** VOL 14.278 ***************************************************************** RADBULL IS PRODUCED BY THE ABALONE ALLIANCE CLEARINGHOUSE ***************************************************************** Send News Stories to news@energy-net.org with title on subject line and first line of body NUCLEAR POLICY 1 US: Gallup Independent: Navajo working on its own energy policy - 2 Nato set to expand role to tackle WMD and terrorism 3 Iran Takes Steps 'in Right Direction' On Nuclear Issue But Iaea Stil 4 [NYTr] ElBaradei approves of Iran response to IAEA call 5 [NYTr] IAEA Bickers with Iran, Snubs New Nuke Approach 6 AFP: Russian rocket deliveries to Iran started - 7 AFP: Russian nuclear chief to visit Tehran - 8 UPI: Iran allows IAEA access to nuke sites 9 Guardian Unlimited: IAEA Denies Iran Request for Nuclear Aid 10 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Says It Will Go on With Nuke Plans 11 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Offers Look at Uranium Program 12 BBC: Iran offers UN new nuclear access 13 Xinhua: IAEA blocks Iran's request for nuclear aid 14 IRIB PERSIAN NEWS: IAEA approves IRI's proposals 15 AFP: Iran vows to press on with Arak reactor - 16 AFP: UN agency shelves Iranian reactor request 17 AFP: UN agency shelves Iranian reactor request 18 AFP: Iran makes concession to UN nuclear investigation 19 [NYTr] US Exercise Stages Mock Attack on N.Korea 20 Korea Herald: North Korea will abandon nukes - expert 21 YONHAP NEWS: N.K. official says inter-Korean relations depend on Seo 22 Xinhua: DPRK vows not to use nukes against South Korea 23 [NYTr] Blair about to tear up Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 24 Guardian Unlimited: 2007 vote on Trident replacement 25 Guardian Unlimited: Beware of Trident-lite | Comment | 26 Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear countdown | Comment | 27 London Times: Trident: revise it or reject it? - Comment - 28 Economic Times: India, China agree to 10-pt strategy to enhance ties 29 BBC: Trident vote due 'early in 2007' 30 AFP: British lawmakers to vote on replacing nuclear deterrent - 31 AFP: MPs to vote on replacing nuclear deterrent 32 GREENPEACE UK: Trident replacement may be illegal under internationa 33 Xinhua: China, Pakistan agree to enhance strategic, co-op partnershi 34 IAEA: Introductory Statement to the Board Of Governors 35 Guardian Unlimited: Cabinet unites behind decision to seek Trident r 36 Mos News: Russia, Indonesia to Sign Agreement on Nuclear Energy - 37 Telegraph: Comment | Debating Trident 38 Telegraph: Brown ready to pay price for new Trident 39 AFP: Chinese president to visit close ally Pakistan NUCLEAR REACTORS 40 The Hindu: China's willingness on N-coop step in right direction - I 41 Whitehaven News: Blair points to a nuclear future for West Cumbria 42 SNA: Bulgaria: IAEA's Yanko Yanev: EU's Stance on Bulgaria's Nuke is 43 News24: Nigeria to build nuclear plants 44 US: Research at MU: MU Research Reactor Submits 20-year License Rene 45 Sydney Morning Herald: Nuclear costs just a drop in ocean - Environm 46 Sydney Morning Herald: Nuclear power not economic yet - Costello - 47 Sydney Morning Herald: Green groups concerned by nuclear move - 48 AU ABC: Neville seeks public debate on nuclear power 49 AU ABC: Councillor rejects nuclear power for Caloundra 50 AU ABC: Unions warn against nuclear power 51 AU ABC: Beattie wants referendum on nuclear power 52 AU ABC: Green group rejects nuclear power push 53 AU ABC: Fears Jervis Bay potential nuclear site 54 Economic Times: PM doesn't take up N-support issue- 55 Economic Times: Centre's green light for nuclear reactors in Haripur 56 Economic Times: Hu keeps nuke aid to Pak on track- 57 BBC: New plan for nine wind Mills 58 YONHAP NEWS: North Korea focusing on developing wind energy 59 Energy Business Review: UK nuclear energy: adrift on the commodity c 60 US: DesMoines Register: Let's call a truce and champion both wind, n 61 Sofia Echo: BULGARIA IN NEED OF ITS NUCLEAR ENERGY SOURCES- MEP - 62 The Australian: Nuclear power doesn't stack up - Costello | | 63 US: recordonline.com: Indian Point will request 20 more years on its 64 West Australian: Bracks, Baillieu cast votes in Victoria 65 Rutland Herald: N.H. allowed to testify on Yankee 66 US: NRC: Notice of Availability of the Final License Renewal Interim 67 US: NRC: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board; In the Matter of USEC, I 68 US: NRC: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collecti 69 US: NRC: In the Matter of Dairyland Power Cooperative and All Other 70 US: NRC: In the Matter of Dairyland Power Cooperative and All Other 71 UPI: Nuclear power and tourism 72 Prague Post Opinion: If you can't stand the heat, don't go nuclear 73 US: Hudson Valley News: Engel against relicensing of Indian Point 74 ITAR-TASS: Rosenergoatom to build 7 floating thermal power plants by 75 Business Day: Dipico to chair nuclear body  NUCLEAR SECURITY NUCLEAR SAFETY 76 [NYTr] Profile of Poisoned Russian Alexander Litvinenko 77 [NYTr] Russian Double-Agent Poisoning Conspiracy May Run Deep 78 Guardian Unlimited: Sushi, mystery meetings and a lethal dose of pol 79 US: UPI: Oakland tests new radiation detectors 80 US: Guardian Unlimited: Schools Push Radioactive Safety 81 Guardian Unlimited: The radioactive spy 82 Guardian Unlimited: A still mysterious death 83 US: AP Wire: PPL equipment delivery exceeded allowed radiation level 84 AU ABC: Indigenous institute rejects Kakadu cancer report 85 Guardian Unlimited: Polonium-210 Difficult to Detect 86 BBC: Radiation found after spy's death 87 Independent: Who killed Litvinenko? 88 AFP: Ex-Russian spy, killed after radioactive poisoning, accuses Put 89 US: ICT: Navajo Nation battles yellow 'monster' 90 Reuters: Polonium - deadly, hard to make and rare poison 91 US: KRQE News 13: Court backs uranium groundwater rules 92 Guardian Unlimited: Poisoned Spy Blames Putin for His Death 93 AU ABC: Switkowski task force to get Indigenous cancer report, co-au 94 US: New London Day: NRC To Replenish Potassium Iodide To Millstone N NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE 95 US: TownOnline.com: Town may buy Shpack homes 96 Prague Post: Waste not 97 reviewjournal.com: Nuke dump 98 Pahrump Valley Times: Guinn wants release of documents 99 US: Sydney Morning Herald: Uranium mine blamed for high Aboriginal c 100 US: Sydney Morning Herald: Toro has its future set on yellowcake 101 US: Sydney Morning Herald: Qld mining enjoying huge growth - survey 102 US: India: Rediff: Uranium may heat up on Indian demand 103 US: Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear Waste Dump Faces New Roadblocks 104 RGJ.com: Guinn urges DOE to release key documents related to licensi 105 US: NEWS.com.au: NT denies uranium mine to blame for cancer 106 AGI: ITALY-FRANCE: BERSANI, NUCLEAR WASTE ROADMAP HALF-HEARTEDLY PEACE US DEPT. OF ENERGY 107 UPI: GAO: $150B nuke proposal needs oversight 108 Tri-City Herald: DOE raises postponed pending budget OK 109 Tri-City Herald: DOE fights tribal suit over natural resouces 110 DOE: Agency Information Collection Proposal ***************************************************************** ***************************************************************** FULL NEWS STORIES ***************************************************************** ***************************************************************** 1 Gallup Independent: Navajo working on its own energy policy - By Kathy Helms Dine Bureau Gallup Independent WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- The Navajo Nation has been working since 2001 to develop its own national energy policy with technical assistance from Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories and other federal agencies. The World Bank's Energy, Mining and Industry Division provided informal critique of a draft of the energy policy in January 2003, according to a March 2003 brief from the Navajo Nation Energy Policy Development Project. Suzy J. Baldwin, an independent contractor now working on development of the Desert Rock Energy Project with Sithe Global Power LLC., coordinated and represented the Navajo Energy Policy Development Working Group under the Division of Natural Resources. Baldwin also worked with Resource Science Inc. of Tucson which put together guiding principles and a plan for improved mineral resource governance within the Navajo Nation. Baldwin worked with the Office of the President and Vice President, congressional offices in Washington, the Council of Energy Resource Tribes as well as the U.S. Department of Energy and national laboratories to compile the draft energy policy. Though the report by Baldwin and the working group has yet to officially see the light of day, there are signs that the process is moving along, such as getting agreements in place for the proposed 1,500 megawatt, two-unit Desert Rock power plant in the Four Corners area. Included in the Navajo energy policy is a "Water for Energy" recommendation based on a program from DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory. The Navajo energy policy recommends Sandia help coordinate the integration of energy and water issues, with Sandia representing "a much needed 'honest broker'" that would provide unbiased scientific/engineering analysis relating to energy/water resources management. In early July 2003, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. convened a meeting to review key elements of the draft energy policy, according to a July 28, 2003, letter from Arvin Trujillo, executive director of the Division of Natural Resources. Trujillo told the president, "The meeting was effective in conveying the overall content and findings of an 18-month program having complex and ongoing issues." At the request of several staff following the meeting, the Energy Policy Development Working Group put together observations and suggested courses of action to keep the program moving forward. Trujillo sent copies of the letter to Vice President Frank Dayish Jr.; Attorney General Louis Denetsosie; Gerri Harrison, legal counsel for Office of the President; Sharon Clahchischillage, executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office; and Baldwin. One of the observations from the meeting was a need to clarify that the draft of the Navajo Nation Energy Policy project is fundamentally different from the U.S. Energy Policy, Trujillo said. While the two policies share some common attributes, there is a fundamental difference in perspective. The U.S. Energy Policy considers issues in the end-use market, he said. In contrast, the Navajo Nation project is focused on the front end, the supply side. One of the recommendations was that the president's office assist DNR in implementing the development of a corresponding water policy. "Energy, development, and water issues are inextricably linked, and a water policy is needed to address ongoing issues relating to both energy and other economic development plans," the working group said. Though the atmosphere was "acrimonious and meaningful dialogue was not possible" early on in the program, the working group "has bridged the trust gap by defining common ground on complex issues. Communities and companies have started to dialogue in meaningful ways," the group said. The energy policy calls for creation of a dynamic Global Information System model for managing interconnected surface and groundwater systems. Implementation strategy begins with creation of the Navajo Nation Energy Office followed by creation of the Native Nations Southwest Laboratory at Dine College in Shiprock to establish the Navajo Nation as a "national energy incubator." The Nation previously assigned to Lawrence Livermore the authority to explore funding from Congress amounting to $22 million the first year and $6 million annually for the next four years of operation. A resolution to that effect was approved by the Navajo Nation Council in April 2001. The Navajo Nation has been seeking funding to establish both the energy office and laboratory. Funding sources will refect a combination of federal appropriations and matching industry/private contributions, according to the implementation strategy. "To this end, funding should be viewed as an investment that stimulates the following returns by 2010: * A clean coal power plant within the Four Corner region, and * A clean coal power plant within the Black Mesa region." The proposed energy policy is designed to create new investment in renewable and non-renewable energy development. Last November, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., secured $1 million for the Navajo Electrification Project to support deployment of electricity grid infrastructure. Also in the FY2006 $30.5 billion Energy and Water Appropriations Bill signed by Bush, Domenici secured $12.5 million to support a Sandia National Laboratories Water Technology Program. This funding includes: $7 million for desalination and arsenic treatment; $2 million for water supply technology development; and $3.5 million for work for trans-boundary cooperation and to support collaboration between Sandia and New Mexico State Engineer. Domenici also supported $4.7 million for Sandia to demonstrate and test two solar technologiesAdvanced Photovoltaic and 1 MW Concentrating Solar Technology. ***************************************************************** 2 Nato set to expand role to tackle WMD and terrorism Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 02:12:20 -0600 (CST) X-Sender-Host-Name: chumbly.math.missouri.edu X-DSPAM-Result: mail; result="Innocent"; class="Innocent"; probability=0.0000; confidence=1.00; signature=N/A X-Spam-Class: HAM News Update from Citizens for Legitimate Government 24 November 2006 http://www.legitgov.org/ http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news Nato set to expand role to tackle WMD and terrorism 24 Nov 2006 The Nato alliance should further expand its role to include counter-terrorism, cyber-security [!?!] and the security of natural resources, according to a classified document to be endorsed by presidents and prime ministers next week. Some US officials are keen to open the door to a greater Nato role in helping with "homeland security", although this remains controversial within the alliance. Please forward this update to anyone you think might be interested. Those who'd like to be added to the Newsletter list can sign up: http://www.legitgov.org/#subscribe_clg. Please write to: signup@legitgov.org for inquiries. CLG Newsletter editor: Lori Price, General Manager. Copyright ) 2006, Citizens For Legitimate Government . All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 3 Iran Takes Steps 'in Right Direction' On Nuclear Issue But Iaea Still Cannot Clarify Intent, Agency Chief Says Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 10:38:20 -0500 IRAN TAKES STEPS 'IN RIGHT DIRECTION' ON NUCLEAR ISSUE BUT IAEA STILL CANNOT CLARIFY INTENT, AGENCY CHIEF SAYS New York, Nov 23 2006 11:00PM Iran has agreed to a request by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide access to materials related to its uranium enrichment activities, but cooperation is still too limited for any determination regarding its nuclear ambitions, the head of the Agency told its Board of Governors in Vienna today. "I have received in recent days communications from Iran, in which it agreed to an Agency request to take further environmental samples from the equipment already sampled at a technical university," said Director General Mohamed ElBaradei. "It also agreed to provide access to the operating records of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant." Calling these "steps in the right direction," he stressed that the sooner Iran takes the remaining transparency measures and addresses the outstanding issues, the earlier the Agency would be "in a position to provide the needed assurances - assurances that are key to restoring international confidence regarding the scope and nature of Iran´s nuclear programme." In July, the Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Iran to take steps including allowing the IAEA to clarify all outstanding issues relating to Iran´s nuclear programme, and re-establishing full and sustained suspension of all its enrichment related and reprocessing activities. "I am still hopeful that, through dialogue between Iran and its partners, conditions will be created to achieve a comprehensive solution that addresses the respective concerns of all parties," said Mr. ElBaradei, who also confirmed that Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities and the IAEA has not been able to make any further progress on resolving the outstanding issues. "This is due to the decision by Iran to limit its cooperation with the Agency to the implementation of the safeguards agreement, and to link any further cooperation - particularly the needed transparency - to the ongoing consideration of Iran´s nuclear programme by the Security Council," he said, voicing concern that the Agency cannot advance its efforts to confirm the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. Turning to another hotspot, he expressed regret over the reported nuclear test carried out last month by Pyongyang. "The breaking of a de-facto global moratorium on nuclear explosive testing that has been in place for nearly a decade is a serious challenge to the nuclear non-proliferation regime," he said, supporting the Security Council's demand for DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons programme in a verifiable manner. The test by the DPRK underscores the urgent need to establish a universal ban on nuclear testing in general as well as the urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the current situation regarding the country´s nuclear programme, he said, pledging the IAEA's support towards this end. He also reported on the IAEA technical cooperation programme assisting States in making use of nuclear technology for development. He said most of the activities were focused on health as well as food and agriculture. "Other important programme areas include nuclear power, radioisotope production, and a variety of other applications, as well as assistance across the full range of safety aspects," he said. 2006-11-23 00:00:00.000 ___________________ For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/ _______________________________ To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/ ***************************************************************** 4 [NYTr] ElBaradei approves of Iran response to IAEA call Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 04:00:31 -0600 (CST) X-Sender-Host-Name: chumbly.math.missouri.edu X-DSPAM-Result: mail; result="Innocent"; class="Whitelisted"; probability=0.0000; confidence=1.00; signature=N/A X-Spam-Class: HAM Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Iran Mania - Nov 24, 2006 http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=47481&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs ElBaradei approves of Iran response to IAEA call LONDON, November 24 (IranMania) - Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei referred to Iran's recent response to the agency's call as a proper measure, IRNA reported. ElBaradei made the remark at the IAEA Board of Governors two-day seasonal meeting at its headquarters which opened today. Turning to Iran's recent letter to him, the IAEA chief said that the Iranian officials have agreed with taking environmental samples of the country's technical equipment and universities as well as access to the results of nuclear fuel cycle operations conducted in the past. "The sooner Iran proceeds with transparency measures, the sooner the agency will be able to secure the status, nature and size of Iran's nuclear activity," he said. Elsewhere in his remarks about Iran, he referred to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1696 and the Board of Governor's resolution of February 2005 and said, "Compliance with the contents of these resolutions will enable the agency to clarify the remaining points on Iran's nuclear issue. "Given that Iran has not yet suspended its uranium enrichment process, IAEA cannot proceed to solve the remaining problems. "This is due to Iran's decision to restrict its cooperation with the agency within the framework of Safeguard Agreements, while further cooperation is required in this respect, particularly on transparency," he added. The IAEA chief said that this is why the agency cannot continue its attempts on Iran's non-declared nuclear program, which is certainly a cause for continuing serious concern. He pointed to the IAEA call for solving the remaining problems within the framework of Safeguard Agreements as a prerequisite for reconstruction of two decades of Iran's nuclear activities and said that this will verify the peaceful nature of such activities. The UN nuclear watchdog chief noted that this is a special stance provided by Iran. "I would like to underline once more the call on Iran to put on its agenda the Additional Protocol and the transparency required by the agency for proceeding with its duties," he added. Meanwhile, ElBaradei hoped that the talks between Iran and other negotiators involved in the issue will prepare the conditions for reaching a comprehensible solution to be respected by all parties. Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to North Korea's nuclear activities and said that the reports on the nuclear tests conducted there in the past month are regretful and a cause for deep concern. "According to the the UNSC resolution on North Korea's nuclear tests, it should suspend its nuclear weapons program. "Such a measure by North Korea underlined once more the need for a system banning nuclear tests worldwide and the significance of finding a solution for nuclear programs through talks," he added. He declared the agency's readiness to cooperate with North Korea to guarantee its peaceful intention and expressed his satisfaction with resumption of talks between the parties involved in the issue. The IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna will continue up to Friday. * ================================================================ .NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems . Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us . .339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org .List Archives: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ .Subscribe: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================ ***************************************************************** 5 [NYTr] IAEA Bickers with Iran, Snubs New Nuke Approach Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:44:38 -0600 (CST) X-Sender-Host-Name: chumbly.math.missouri.edu X-DSPAM-Result: mail; result="Innocent"; class="Whitelisted"; probability=0.0000; confidence=1.00; signature=N/A X-Spam-Class: HAM Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit The New York Times - Nov 23, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/23/world/middleeast/23iran.html?hp&ex=1164258000&en=4cebd199c117a704&ei=5094&partner=homepage Atomic Agency Opts to Snub Irans Request for Help With Reactor By MARK LANDLER FRANKFURT, Nov. 22 After days of diplomatic wrangling, the International Atomic Energy Agency is poised to rebuff a request by Iran for technical help with a heavy-water nuclear reactor that would produce plutonium as a byproduct, several diplomats said Wednesday. The decision, which could be ratified by the agencys 35-member governing board on Thursday, is carefully written to preserve unity, the diplomats said. Rather than decline Irans request directly, the board plans to remove the item from a package of several hundred other requests for technical assistance, which it will then adopt by consensus, the diplomats said. Iran could resubmit its request in 2008. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity, not wanting to comment publicly before the vote. The debate over the reactor, near Arak, has become particularly nettlesome because it involves a part of the agencys portfolio technical assistance for the peaceful development of nuclear power that is usually less political. Iran says it is building the heavy-water reactor to produce radioactive isotopes for medical treatments. Supporters of Iran said rejecting this request would politicize the agencys technical assistance work, while the agency said it had no legal grounds to turn down Iran. Citing broader doubts about Irans nuclear ambitions, however, the United States, European countries and other members opposed helping Iran with a plant that would yield plutonium, a fuel used in nuclear weapons. The United States has made no secret of its opposition. Given past board decisions, widespread mistrust of Irans nuclear program and risk of plutonium being diverted for use in a weapon, the U.S., Europe and other board members cannot agree to have the I.A.E.A. assist the project at Arak, said Matthew Boland, a spokesman for the United States mission in Vienna, where the atomic energy agency is based. The agency has long been concerned about the Arak reactor, which is being built in the desert southwest of Tehran, and has repeatedly asked Iran to abandon the project. But Irans president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, inaugurated the plant in August, saying, the Iranian people are determined to take big steps. Much of the scrutiny of Irans nuclear program has focused on its drive to enrich uranium, which, with plutonium, is the main fuel for nuclear weapons. Agency officials noted that Irans request would not contribute to activities related to enrichment or reprocessing. Still, experts on nuclear proliferation note that plutonium is potentially more dangerous than uranium because less of it is needed to produce a sizable blast. How the agencys board would navigate the diplomatic shoals at its meeting on Thursday was not clear. We dont know whether the wording will say the program is deferred or whether its just going to be in limbo, another diplomat said. Among the most vocal countries, this person said, were France, which opposed Irans request, and Cuba, which supported Tehran. A draft summary of the agencys technical aid committee meeting, held Monday and Tuesday, hints at sharp divisions among the members. Some countries, the report says, threatened to withhold support from the entire assistance package if the Arak project were included. Others said Irans request should not be subject to political, economic, military or other conditions. They viewed the opposition to Iran as a double standard, which they said could harm the agencys credibility. Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company *** BBC News - Nov 23, 2006 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6176934.stm Iran offers UN new nuclear access Iran will give inspectors access to records and equipment from two of its nuclear sites, the head of the UN's atomic agency, the IAEA, has said. Mohamed ElBaradei said he hoped Iran's move would begin a series of measures that would clear suspicions over its nuclear programme. The IAEA has however rejected an Iranian request for help in building a heavy-water nuclear reactor at Arak. The US fears Iran could use the reactor to make fuel for a nuclear weapon. Plutonium released as a by-product in a heavy water reactor can serve as a substitute for highly-enriched uranium in constructing a nuclear device. Iran has also repeatedly rejected demands to halt its uranium enrichment work. The UN Security Council remains deadlocked over Iran's announcement that it will not suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition for talks over its nuclear programme. Iran has dismissed US suspicions that it is building a bomb and insists its nuclear work does not have a military aspect. Sanctions threat According to Mr ElBaradei, Iran has agreed to let International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors take environmental samples from equipment at a former military site at Lavizan. Iran has also said it will give the UN access to records from a uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. Mr ElBaradei welcomed the moves but said Iran needed to show more transparency over its nuclear programme. He told the AFP news agency that Iran needed to give "a full explanation of the development of its nuclear programme from start to finish". Iran, he said, needed "to openly corroborate this explanation with evidence, including records and access to relevant locations and individuals involved". According to the BBC's Pam O'Toole, Iran's latest offer may be trying to show it is co-operating with the IAEA - but western countries will probably argue more needs to be done if it is to avoid the threat of sanctions. 'Medical purposes' Diplomats meeting at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, rejected Iran's request for help in building the heavy water reactor. BBC correspondents say the IAEA has left open the possibility of reconsidering Iran's request in the future. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said work on the Arak reactor would continue, regardless of the IAEA decision. "It is the duty of the IAEA to help. If they help, we will appreciate it. If not, we will do it on our own," he said. Iran says the heavy-water plant at Arak will help it make radio isotopes for medical purposes. The US fears the reactor at Arak, when complete, could produce enough plutonium to build one bomb every year. *** Los Angeles Times - Nov 23, 2006 http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iran23nov23,1,1928449.story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true U.N. nuclear agency may halt funding for Iranian reactor The board tentatively agrees to finance seven of Tehran's projects, but not one that could produce a bomb. By Alissa J. Rubin, Times Staff Writer PARIS -- The international community tentatively decided late Wednesday to halt financial support for a controversial nuclear reactor in Iran that could be used to help produce plutonium for atomic bombs, but to continue to fund seven other Iranian civilian nuclear projects. The decision to stop funding was a victory for Western countries that suspect Iran's ultimate goal in its nuclear program is to build a bomb. Under the deal tentatively agreed on by the 35-member board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear monitoring arm, the Islamic Republic would continue to receive technical assistance for its civilian nuclear projects such as nuclear medicine, but would not receive money for the heavy-water reactor under construction near the town of Arak. The withdrawal of funding, however, will be handled in a discreet manner and without a formal vote, which might divide the board. "The majority were uncomfortable with going ahead with that project," said an official close to the IAEA. "But many were also concerned about setting a precedent; they are worried that their project could be denied next," the official said. The issue will come up at today's meeting of the IAEA board of governors in Vienna. The board must approve technical assistance projects carried out by the agency, which also inspects nuclear plants for safety and tracks the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Technical assistance to Iran, which totals less than $1 million a year, represents only a sliver of the $70 million that the agency spends on technical projects. The U.N. nuclear agency funds more than 800 projects in 134 countries, according to agency officials. The debate in Vienna this week highlighted again the two most difficult issues for the agency: the murkiness of the line between civilian and potentially military nuclear projects and the tensions between the nuclear "haves" and "have nots." The Arak plant, much like the uranium enrichment plant that Iran is building at Natanz, has a legitimate peaceful use. But it also can be used to make fissionable material for a bomb. Although the IAEA can conduct inspections to ensure that these plants are used only for peaceful purposes, the possibility remains that Iran could follow North Korea's model, leaving the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, expelling inspectors and beginning to produce fissionable material for a nuclear weapon. In deference to the concerns of developing nations, the compromise avoided criticizing Iran or the project directly. Leading the charge on Iran's behalf was Cuba, which leads the Non-Aligned Movement, the 115-member organization that represents developing countries. Under the compromise, the Arak project will be left off the biennial list, leaving open the possibility that the funding would be revived later, although Western diplomats indicated that the project was unlikely to be funded again. "The technical cooperation program is a two-year-program, so in theory the question could be put forward again," a Western diplomat said. "But quite frankly, if we have the same situation as today, I cannot imagine that the board will approve it at that time either." The board reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council in February, saying Tehran had failed to respond fully to IAEA nuclear inspectors' requests for information about its past nuclear program, and refused to adhere to a board resolution asking it to suspend uranium enrichment. The Security Council appears unlikely to come to agreement in the coming weeks on sanctions. Russia and China have backed Iran and been reluctant to endorse sanctions, which they fear could push Iran to leave the nonproliferation treaty. The controversy about Iran's Arak project is not new. In past resolutions, the IAEA board of governors has asked Iran to reconsider the project. Heavy-water reactors are of concern because their spent fuel rods can be reprocessed into plutonium that can be used for nuclear bombs. Pakistan and India use similar heavy-water reactors to make plutonium for bombs for their nuclear weapons program, according to nuclear experts. Iran also is slowly building a plant to enrich uranium, a second method that can be used to obtain fissile material that can be used in a bomb. But the plant at Natanz has run into difficulties with the delicate centrifuge technology. Plutonium can be produced using a reprocessing plant, a somewhat less fragile process. But plutonium is highly radioactive and much more hazardous to workers. Iran is not known to have a reprocessing plant, and Iranian officials assert unequivocally that the Arak plant would be used only to make radioactive isotopes, such as those used in nuclear medicine. [Times staff writer Elisabeth Penz in Vienna contributed to this report.] *** DPA/SAPA via Independent Online (S.Africa) - Nov 23, 2006 http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=123&art_id=qw1164272041523B265 IAEA to axe aid to Iran for reactor Vienna - The 35 members of the IAEA's governing board are preparing to deny technical aid to Iran for its heavy water reactor currently under construction at Arak in western Iran. At a technical meeting preceding Thursday's board session several member states, among them the United States, Canada, Australia and the EU members, said that they could not consent to help Iran with a project the board repeatedly asked Tehran to "reconsider." Western nations are concerned Iran could use the research reactor to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. In behind-the-scenes talks over the past three days board members effectively decided to remove Arak from the list of projects being assessed for technical aid, diplomats attending the meeting said. While the exact wording of the decision is still unknown, it seems certain that Iran will not receive money for Arak. Iran's request was regarded as an attempt to use the technical co-operation committee as a political forum, one western diplomat said. With regard to other projects for which Iran sought assistance, the IAEA assured concerned members they would not contribute to uranium enrichment-related or fuel reprocessing activities - activities Iran has been asked to stop, a report by the committee said. In all, the committee passed on a list of more than 800 projects over the next two years for consideration by the board of governors. The board, convening for a regular meeting on Thursday and Friday will also hear the latest report from IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei on the UN nuclear watchdog's investigation into Iran's nuclear activities. In essence, this report states that virtually no progress has been made due to lack of co-operation from Iran. The agency's four-year efforts to determine whether Iran's is pursuing nuclear energy or a nuclear weapons programme are met with stonewalling and a lack of transparency on Iran's part, the report said. - Sapa-dpa ) 2006 Independent Online. All rights strictly * ================================================================ .NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems . Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us . .339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org .List Archives: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ .Subscribe: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================ ***************************************************************** 6 AFP: Russian rocket deliveries to Iran started - Fri Nov 24, 8:39 AM ET MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia has begun deliveries of the Tor-M1 air defence rocket system to Iran" /> , Russian news agencies quoted military industry sources as saying, in the latest sign of a Russian-US rift over Iran. "Deliveries of the Tor-M1 have begun. The first systems have already been delivered to Tehran," ITAR-TASS quoted an unnamed, high-ranking source as saying Friday. The United States has pressed Russia to halt military sales to Iran, which Washington accuses of harbouring secret plans to build a nuclear weapon. Moscow has consistently defended its weapons trade with Iran. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said the contract for 29 rocket systems, signed in December last year, was legitimate because the Tor-M1 has a purely defensive role. ITAR-TASS reported that the rockets were to be deployed around Iran's nuclear sites, including the still incomplete, Russian-built atomic power station at Bushehr. In August, Washington announced sanctions against several companies, including Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport, for supplying technology to Iran that could allegedly be used to develop missile technology and weapons of mass destruction. Under the sanctions no US company can deal with foreign companies on the sanctions list for two years. A spokesman for Rosoboronexport contacted by AFP would not confirm or deny the reports about the Tor-M1 delivery, which were also issued by the Interfax news agency. The Tor-M1 is a low to medium-altitude missile fired from a tracked vehicle against airplanes, helicopters and other airborne targets. The news came as the UN Security Council continued to consider possible sanctions against Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity in response to the Islamic republic's suspect nuclear programme. The major powers have been debating a draft resolution drawn up by Britain, France and Germany that would impose limited sanctions on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile sectors for Tehran's failure to comply with an earlier UN resolution on halting enrichment. China and Russia, both close economic partners with Iran, argue the measures are too extensive, while Washington has pressed for tougher action. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 7 AFP: Russian nuclear chief to visit Tehran - [Sergei Kiriyenko] MOSCOW (AFP) - The head of Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom will visit Iran on December 11 to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries. A Rosatom spokesman said Sergei Kiriyenko would attend a meeting of the inter-governmental commission on economic relations in Tehran. Iran's representative on the commission is Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Rosatom said in a statement Friday. Interfax said Kiriyenko would not be visiting the Bushehr nuclear power station, which Russia has been building in the south of the country -- a project criticised by the United States. The visit comes as Russia has grown more critical of Iran's nuclear programme, despite long-standing economic and political ties between the two countries. The United States has tried to persuade Russia to take a firmer line on Iran's nuclear ambitions as part of a wider diplomatic drive to bring pressure to bear on the Islamic republic in the United Nations. Washington suspects that Iran's stated aim of developing peaceful nuclear energy is a cover for a nuclear weapons programme. Iran denies this. Completion of the Bushehr nuclear plant by Russia has been subject to repeated delays, blamed by Moscow on technical difficulties. Earlier Friday Russian news agencies quoted military industry sources as saying that Russia had begun deliveries to Tehran of the Tor-M1 air defence rocket system, which is reportedly to be deployed around nuclear sites, including Bushehr. AFP ***************************************************************** 8 UPI: Iran allows IAEA access to nuke sites United Press International - NewsTrack - 11/24/2006 9:10:00 AM -0500 VIENNA, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said in Vienna Iran has agreed to grant the agency access to its uranium enrichment materials. Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the U.N. agency, said in a statement Iran also agreed to provide IAEA with documents related to its enrichment activities. "I have received in recent days communications from Iran, in which it agreed to an Agency request to take further environmental samples from the equipment already sampled at a technical university," ElBaradei told the IAEA Board of Governors. "It also agreed to provide access to the operating records of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant." ElBaradei said the agreements were "steps in the right direction" and called on Iran to address remaining transparency measures to put the agency "in a position to provide the needed assurances -- assurances that are key to restoring international confidence regarding the scope and nature of Iran´s nuclear program. © Copyright 2006 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ***************************************************************** 9 Guardian Unlimited: IAEA Denies Iran Request for Nuclear Aid From the Associated Press [UP] Thursday November 23, 2006 11:46 AM By GEORGE JAHN Associated Press Writer VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The U.N. nuclear agency decided Thursday to deny Iran technical help in building a plutonium-producing reactor - at least for now - but left room for Tehran to eventually renew its request, diplomats said. The 35-nation governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency waived a decision on Tehran's request for aid for its Arak reactor. That, in effect, denied Iran IAEA help on Arak for at least the next two years. The project may be resubmitted after that time has passed. Iran says it needs Arak for the production of radioactive isotopes for diagnosing and treating cancer, and wanted agency assistance to ensure the reactor is environmentally safe. But the plutonium the Arak facility would produce could give Iran a second possible path to a nuclear weapon - enough plutonium for about two bombs a year. Most international efforts have focused on Tehran's efforts to enrich uranium. A text accepted by the IAEA board in a consensus decision said that all requests for IAEA technical aid submitted by member countries were approved ``with the exception of'' Arak, said a senior diplomat who was in the closed meeting. That formulation allowed countries from opposite sides of the issue to claim victory, with the United States and its allies saying it constituted denial, and developing countries who traditionally support Iran interpreting it as deferral. Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the IAEA, said Arak was ``removed entirely from the program, not just deferred,'' adding: ``Never has Iran been so isolated.'' The U.S. and the IAEA are not prepared to help countries build nuclear bombs,'' he told reporters. The full board also reviewed a report on the latest stage of a nearly four-year IAEA investigation into Iran's nuclear activities. That report essentially says that the agency has been unable to make headway in determining whether suspicions that Tehran is interested in making nuclear weapons are well-founded. IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said his inspectors had ``not been able to make any progress'' in their investigation. ``This is essentially due to the decision by Iran to limit its cooperation,'' he said. ``The IAEA is therefore unable to move forward in its efforts to confirm the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. This, naturally continues to be a matter of serious concern.'' Technical aid requests for projects like Arak are normally approved without discussion. Developing countries - the key recipients of IAEA technical help - are worried that denial of aid for any project would set a precedent that would hurt their future chances of getting agency support. Arak is one of seven or eight projects submitted by Iran - lists circulated at the meeting have conflicting numbers. Most, if not all, of the 35 nations had no trouble with approving Iran's request for help with the other far less contentious projects, said the diplomats. Rebuffing Iran's Arak request would not affect its construction and would also have no effect on the country's other potential avenue to weapons production - uranium enrichment. Still, it would maintain at least symbolic pressure while the U.N. Security Council is deadlocked over how to sanction Iran for ignoring demands to stop enriching uranium. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 10 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Says It Will Go on With Nuke Plans From the Associated Press [UP] Thursday November 23, 2006 1:01 PM AP Photo VIE109 By ALI AKBAR DAREINI Associated Press Writer TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran on Thursday said it plans to press ahead with construction of a heavy-water nuclear reactor the U.S. and its allies fear could be used to produce plutonium to build atomic weapons hours after the U.N. nuclear watchdog denied Tehran help in building it. The U.N. nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, decided to deny Iran technical help in building the heavy-water reactor in central Iran - at least for now - but left room for Tehran to renew its request, diplomats said. But Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the IAEA was legally required to provide technical assistance to Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Iran has repeatedly said its contentious nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. ``It is the duty of the IAEA to help. If they help, we will appreciate it. If not, we will do it on our own,'' Mottaki told reporters in Tehran. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 11 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Offers Look at Uranium Program From the Associated Press [UP] Thursday November 23, 2006 8:31 PM AP Photo VIE111 By GEORGE JAHN Associated Press Writer VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran has agreed to crack open the books on its uranium enrichment activities, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Thursday - a move that could give experts a better grasp of a program the Security Council fears could be misused to produce atomic bombs. The concession appeared timed in hopes of heading off a rejection by the International Atomic Energy Agency of Iran's request for technical help in building its Arak plutonium-producing reactor. Unmoved, the IAEA's 35-nation board denied the aid for at least two years. Tehran's decision to provide access to the operating records of its pilot uranium enrichment plant at Natanz came with another carrot - a pledge to allow U.N. inspectors to take more samples from a facility that had yielded suspicious traces of enriched uranium. Both moves were described as ``important steps'' by IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who announced Tehran's offer. Uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing can both produce material for atomic warheads, and Iran's lack of complete candor about its programs has fed suspicions in Washington and other capitals that Tehran is trying to make nuclear weapons in violation of its treaty obligations. Iran insists its only goal is to use enrichment to produce fuel for nuclear reactors that generate electricity and plutonium reprocessing to make nuclear isotopes for medical treatments. Responding to Iran's defiance of demands that it curb its nuclear program until suspicions are allayed, the IAEA board decided to put off a ruling on the request for technical help on the Arak reactor. That denied IAEA help for at least two years, after which Tehran can submit a new request. The board's voted to approve all requests for IAEA technical aid ``with the exception of'' Arak, wording that allowed both the United States and Iran to claim victory. Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the IAEA, said Arak was ``removed entirely from the program, not just deferred.'' ``The U.S. and the IAEA are not prepared to help countries build nuclear bombs,'' he told reporters. Disputing Schulte's view, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, the chief Iranian representative, said the ruling meant ``that this project was not deleted ... and therefore we are expecting as soon as possible the decision be made'' to provide the requested aid. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the IAEA was legally required to provide technical assistance to Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. ``It is the duty of the IAEA to help. If they help, we will appreciate it. If not, we will do it on our own,'' Mottaki said. While Iran's pilot uranium enrichment plant at Natanz is under some IAEA monitoring, Iran's offer to open the operating records of the facility could potentially yield key information to U.N. inspectors that has up to now been off limits. ``It should tell them how well the centrifuges have operated'' in enriching uranium, said former U.N. inspector David Albright, whose Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security tracks Iran's nuclear activities. Such information could verify other evidence that the Iranian program has been hobbled by technical glitches. Iran's records should also help strengthen IAEA findings on the level of the small amounts of uranium enriched since Tehran restarted the program early this year. The agency puts enrichment at 5 percent or below - far from the 90 percent-plus needed to make the core of nuclear bombs. Tehran's other offer to allow IAEA inspectors to look for fresh samples of enriched uranium at a site where earlier finds revealed traces that could have come from an undeclared program linked to the military was described as ``important'' by a U.N. official. He agreed to discuss the matter only if not quoted by name because he was not authorized to comment publicly. The U.N. Security Council demanded in July that Tehran suspend enrichment, but Iran instead has expanded that work, recently setting up a second experimental chain of 164 centrifuges to produce small amounts of low-enriched uranium. Tehran has said it intends to activate 3,000 centrifuges by late 2006 and then increase the program to 54,000 centrifuges. Iranian officials say that would produce enough enriched uranium to fuel a 1,000-megawatt reactor, such as that being built by Russia and nearing completion at Bushehr. Experts estimate Iran would need only 1,500 centrifuges to produce a nuclear weapon, if it wanted to. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 12 BBC: Iran offers UN new nuclear access Last Updated: Thursday, 23 November 2006 [Arak plant] Iran says the Arak plant will make radio isotopes for medical use Iran will give inspectors access to records and equipment from two of its nuclear sites, the head of the UN's atomic agency, the IAEA, has said. Mohamed ElBaradei said he hoped Iran's move would begin a series of measures that would clear suspicions over its nuclear programme. The IAEA has however rejected an Iranian request for help in building a heavy-water nuclear reactor at Arak. The US fears Iran could use the reactor to make fuel for a nuclear weapon. Plutonium released as a by-product in a heavy water reactor can serve as a substitute for highly-enriched uranium in constructing a nuclear device. Iran has also repeatedly rejected demands to halt its uranium enrichment work. The UN Security Council remains deadlocked over Iran's announcement that it will not suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition for talks over its nuclear programme. Iran has dismissed US suspicions that it is building a bomb and insists its nuclear work does not have a military aspect. Sanctions threat According to Mr ElBaradei, Iran has agreed to let International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors take environmental samples from equipment at a former military site at Lavizan. Iran has also said it will give the UN access to records from a uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. Mr ElBaradei welcomed the moves but said Iran needed to show more transparency over its nuclear programme. He told the AFP news agency that Iran needed to give "a full explanation of the development of its nuclear programme from start to finish". Iran, he said, needed "to openly corroborate this explanation with evidence, including records and access to relevant locations and individuals involved". According to the BBC's Pam O'Toole, Iran's latest offer may be trying to show it is co-operating with the IAEA - but western countries will probably argue more needs to be done if it is to avoid the threat of sanctions. 'Medical purposes' Diplomats meeting at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, rejected Iran's request for help in building the heavy water reactor. BBC correspondents say the IAEA has left open the possibility of reconsidering Iran's request in the future. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said work on the Arak reactor would continue, regardless of the IAEA decision. "It is the duty of the IAEA to help. If they help, we will appreciate it. If not, we will do it on our own," he said. Iran says the heavy-water plant at Arak will help it make radio isotopes for medical purposes. The US fears the reactor at Arak, when complete, could produce enough plutonium to build one bomb every year. ***************************************************************** 13 Xinhua: IAEA blocks Iran's request for nuclear aid www.chinaview.cn 2006-11-23 20:12:01 Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis [Iran 's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Aliasghar Soltaniyeh (L) talks to the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA Director General Mohammed ElBaradei (R) attend a board of governors meeting at Vienna's U.N. headquarters November 23, 2006. ] Iran 's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Aliasghar Soltaniyeh (L) talks to the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA Director General Mohammed ElBaradei (R) attend a board of governors meeting at Vienna's U.N. headquarters November 23, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>> VIENNA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday blocked Iran's bid for technical help in building a nuclear reactor, diplomats said. The decision, which still left room for Iran to renew its request in the future, came after days of negotiation between western and developing countries. On Nov. 13, Iran submitted an application to the IAEA for technical assistance to build a heavy water reactor in Arak, a central city 200 km south of Tehran. Iran said its nuclear energy agenda, anchored on enrichment of uranium, is limited to generating electricity. But western countries, particularly the United States, claim that Iran's nuclear program could eventually lead to the production of atomic bombs. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would press ahead with its nuclear program despite the West's pressure. FM: Iran to continue nuclear reactor program without IAEA assistance TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday that his country would continue its heavywater nuclear reactor program, just hours after the UN atomic agency board meeting denied Tehran's technical assistance request to build it. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran is legally deserved and receive technical assistance and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the duty to provide that, Mottaki told reporters at a press conference in Tehran. "It is the duty of the IAEA to help. If they help, we will appreciate it. If not, we will do it on our own," said the minister. Earlier Thursday, diplomats in Vienna said that the IAEA had decided to deny Iran technical help request in building the heavy water reactor in Iran's central city of Arak -- at least for now --but left room for Tehran to renew its request. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated in late August part of this reactor facilities which produces heavy water. Editor: Yao Runping ***************************************************************** 14 IRIB PERSIAN NEWS: IAEA approves IRI's proposals 2006/11/24 Iranian Ambassador to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh said Thursday that at today's meeting the Board of Governors approved Iran's seven proposals on Iran-IAEA cooperation. He told reporters that the proposals, including the one on Arak research reactor, was submitted to the IAEA technical committee, adding that it was declared that for the time being no decision is taken on the later one (Arak reactor). "The approach of various countries, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states, Group of 77, China and Russia as well as the strong support of the IAEA secretariat for the proposal's being within the framework of the agency's letter of association and not being against the Board of Governors' and UN Security Council's resolutions resulted in the failure of the attempts of a few states intending to disapprove of the cooperation proposal. Speaking on the sidelines of the Board of Governors meeting before noon, he said that no decision was taken about Arak nuclear reactor, which means that the issue may be discussed at any other session. Pointing to the claim of American ambassador on Iran's isolation, Soltanieh said, "I believe that the statements issued by developing countries, the Group of 77, China, Russia, NAM and official report of the agency's secretariat in support of Arak reactor project and opposition to its removal from the agenda of the board's technical committee show that America has never been so isolated' as it is now." "The world public opinion should be aware that America and a few Western states, which are actually standing in the face of the agency's secretariat -- bound to present its impartial technical view -- and all world states, are isolated themselves. "This proved that the Board of Governors and UNSC resolutions which have actually referred to Arak reactor project have no legal foundation and that their contents are unacceptable," added the ambassador. Copyright 2004, All Rights Reserved By Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting News Network Sponsored By IRIB News Computer Center. E-Mail: Info@IRIBNEWS.ir ***************************************************************** 15 AFP: Iran vows to press on with Arak reactor - [Manouchehr Mottaki] TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that Iran will press on with its Arak heavy water reactor with or without help from the UN nuclear watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was set Thursday to reject Iran's request for technical help in building a nuclear reactor that the West fears could provide weapon's grade material. "It is part of the agency's duties to help (on Arak) and if they do not help we will do it on our own," Mottaki told reporters. According to Iranian officials, the Arak plant being constructed about 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of Tehran will be fully operational in 2009. It is of a type that could be adapted to produce plutonium for atomic warheads. Both the IAEA and the Security Council have called on Iran to "reconsider" building Arak, and a Western diplomat said the IAEA's refusal of assistance for the reactor "should reinforce the point" that Tehran should suspend construction. The United States and the European Union had argued that Iran, suspected of seeking nuclear weapons and threatened with Security Council sanctions, has no right to technical aid for the Arak reactor. Iran says the reactor would make isotopes for medical and other peaceful uses. It is to replace a light water research reactor in Tehran, built by the United States before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. AFP ***************************************************************** 16 AFP: UN agency shelves Iranian reactor request by Michael Adler Thu Nov 23, 7:59 AM ET VIENNA (AFP) - The UN atomic agency has shelved Iran Iran's request for technical help in building a nuclear reactor that the United States fears could provide plutonium for weapons. The decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors came after three days of divisive meetings on technical cooperation that ended with a compromise between Western and developing states. In another development, IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said limited cooperation by Iran had blocked the agency from making "further progress" on clearing up questions about Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington suspects of hiding weapons development. But ElBaradei said Iran had recently made "steps in the right direction," by agreeing to let IAEA inspectors take environmental sample swipes on equipment from a former military site at Lavizan and granting access to operating records at a uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. The IAEA had requested these steps for months, as Iran pushed ahead with uranium enrichment in defiance of a UN call for it to suspend the sensitive nuclear work. The agency's governing board blocked technical cooperation for the heavy-water reactor Iran is building in Arak, 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Tehran, by dropping the proposal from a list of some 800 aid projects it approved on Thursday for the coming two years, an IAEA spokeswoman said. US ambassador Gregory Schulte insisted that the deletion of the Iranian request was permanent. "The Arak project was not deferred. It was not put on hold. It was removed entirely from the IAEA program," Schulte told reporters. "The removal of Arak, an action taken by consensus, reflects the board's continued concern about the nature of Iran's nuclear program," he said. "Heavy water reactors are well-suited to producing significant quantities of plutonium, a key ingredient in building nuclear weapons." In a face-saving compromise, the Arak project was shelved rather than rejected, with the board's chairman saying "no decision was taken" on the Iranian request. An Iranian diplomat described the IAEA move as "only a postponement." Delegates from non-aligned countries anxious to protect the right of developing countries to obtain peaceful nuclear technology also argued that Iran could re-apply at some point for aid to Arak. A European Union European Uniondiplomat had said Wednesday that "the bottom line" was a denial of aid for the next two years, by which time there could well be a UN Security Council call for Iran to suspend work at the heavy water reactor. Tehran says the facility is intended to make medical isotopes. Both the IAEA and the Security Council have called on Iran to "reconsider" building Arak, and a Western diplomat said the IAEA's decision not to approve technical assistance "should reinforce the point." The United States and the European Union had argued that Iran, suspected of seeking nuclear weapons and threatened with UN sanctions, had no right to assistance with the reactor. Schulte said the United States "strongly supports" peaceful nuclear technology for IAEA member states "but neither we nor the board are prepared to help countries build nuclear bombs." The IAEA board will also be hearing a report from ElBaradei detailing the level of Iranian cooperation with the agency's investigation into its nuclear program. The IAEA is still unable, after over three years of inspections, to certify Iran's program as peaceful. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The ***************************************************************** 17 AFP: UN agency shelves Iranian reactor request by Michael Adler Thu Nov 23, 6:39 PM ET VIENNA (AFP) - The UN atomic agency shelved indefinitely Iran" /> Iran's request for technical help in building a nuclear reactor that the United States fears could provide plutonium for weapons. "The decision right now is that the project (safety expertise for Iran's Arak reactor) will definitely be put on hold ... so that project today will not be implemented by the agency," International Atomic Energy Agency" /> International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters. "I think the decision by the (IAEA) board of governors is very much linked to (lack of) confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's (nuclear) program" and that things could change "if that confidence was to be restored," ElBaradei said. The IAEA's board's decision came after three days of divisive meetings in Vienna on technical cooperation that ended with a compromise between Western and developing states. ElBaradei said limited cooperation by Iran had blocked the agency from making "further progress" on clearing up questions about Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington suspects of hiding weapons development. But ElBaradei told the board, in reporting on the program, that Tehran had recently made "steps in the right direction." It has agreed to let IAEA inspectors take environmental sample swipes on equipment from a former military site at Lavizan and to grant access to operating records at a uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. The IAEA had requested these steps for months, as Iran pushed ahead with uranium enrichment in defiance of a UN call for it to suspend the sensitive nuclear work which makes nuclear reactor fuel but also atom bomb material, or face sanctions. The IAEA has other outstanding issues it wishes to clear up but Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh made clear that there would be no more such steps unless the UN Security Council stops threatening Iran with sanctions. Soltanieh even warned that the Iranian parliament could cut the country's cooperation with IAEA inspectors if the Council goes ahead with sanctions, according to a copy of his speech to the board. ElBaradei reacted with a passionate closing speech in which he called on Iran to do more, cooperating fully and not hiding behind legalities, diplomats said. "The main message is that it is definitely up to Iran," one diplomat said of ElBaradei's comments. ElBaradei told AFP that Iran needs to give the IAEA "a full explanation of the development of its nuclear program from start to finish" and "to openly corroborate this explanation with evidence, including records and access to relevant locations and individuals involved." The agency's governing board blocked technical cooperation for the heavy-water reactor Iran is building in Arak, 200 kilometres (120 miles) south of Tehran, by dropping the proposal from a list of some 800 aid projects it approved on Thursday for the coming two years, an IAEA spokeswoman said. US ambassador Gregory Schulte insisted that the deletion of the Iranian request was permanent. "The Arak project was not deferred . . . It was removed entirely from the IAEA program," Schulte told reporters, though his view was at odds with that of developing nations' interpretation of Thursday's compromise. In a face-saving compromise, the Arak project was officially shelved rather than rejected, with the board's chairman saying "no decision is taken" on the Iranian request, which remained listed in an annex. An Iranian diplomat described the IAEA move as "only a postponement." Soltanieh said Iran would continue to build Arak since "hospitals desperately need the radioisotopes" the reactor is designed to make. In fact, construction would be speeded up "in order to fulfill the humanitarian demand." But both the IAEA and the Security Council have called on Iran to "reconsider" building Arak due to concerns of it being misused. The United States and the European Union" /> European Uniondid however accept the IAEA approving seven other aid projects for Iran which were not considered proliferation risks. Schulte said the United States "strongly supports" peaceful nuclear technology "but neither we nor the board are prepared to help countries build nuclear bombs." Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 18 AFP: Iran makes concession to UN nuclear investigation by Michael Adler Fri Nov 24, 7:49 AM ET VIENNA (AFP) - Iran" /> Iranhas agreed to hand over records of its uranium enrichment work in a boost to UN efforts to determine whether Tehran seeks nuclear weapons, but diplomats and analysts said more cooperation is needed. International Atomic Energy Agency" /> International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei told the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors on Thursday that Iran would finally provide the sought-after records. Tehran had rebuffed previous IAEA demands for months, while pushing ahead with enrichment operations in defiance of a UN Security Council call for it to suspend the sensitive nuclear work. Iran has also agreed to the IAEA's long-standing request to let its inspectors take more environmental sample swipes on equipment from a former military site at Lavizan, where enrichment work is suspected, ElBaradei said. The Vienna-based IAEA is mired in an over three-year-old investigation into US charges that Tehran is secretly developing nuclear weapons. Diplomats said Iran, under the threat of UN sanctions over its nuclear program, was trying to parry charges that it has failed to cooperate fully with the IAEA inquest. Iran says its program is a peaceful effort to generate electricity. "Getting the operating records is a pretty big deal," said a diplomat with technical training and who is close to the IAEA on Friday. The diplomat said the documents would help the IAEA confirm Iran's insistence that it is only carrying out research-level uranium enrichment at a facility in Natanz in the center of the country. Uranium is enriched by centrifuges to refine out the U-235 isotope to produce what can be fuel for civilian nuclear reactors or -- at highly refined levels -- the explosive core of atom bombs. A second diplomat said the IAEA had reported that Iran was not allowing the agency inspectors access to "the tail results" -- the depleted uranium produced at the same time as the main product. "If the IAEA does not receive the tail results it lacks critical data for calculating the uranium and isotope balances," the diplomat said, referring to the method of verifying the level of enrichment. Iran says it has not enriched over five percent, a level consistent with fuel needs. Uranium for weapons use is usually enriched to more than 90 percent. David Albright, a former nuclear inspector who now heads the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security think tank, said the new Iranian steps were "a big deal because the Iranians have been so uncooperative." But, said Albright, that concession alone is "not going to solve the IAEA's problems." The new information is "not going to provide confidence that the Iranians are not going to suddenly accelerate work at Natanz" or that they are "not building an undeclared centrifuge enrichment plant," Albright said. Another analyst who follows Iran closely, Mark Fitzgerald of London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Natanz and Lavizan were "two of many areas in which the IAEA has asked additional questions." He called the Iranian moves "a small show of cooperation, but I don't think it gets Iran off the hook in terms of meeting the Security Council mandate for full cooperation." ElBaradei told his board that limited cooperation by Iran had blocked the IAEA from making "further progress" on clearing up questions about Tehran's nuclear program, including the scope of its enrichment work. The IAEA chief said the access to Natanz and the Lavizan equipment were "steps in the right direction" but that they should be followed in the immediate future by "additional measures." The IAEA on Thursday had shelved indefinitely Iran's request for technical help in building a nuclear reactor that the United States fears could provide plutonium for weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran would still press on with its heavy-water reactor in Arak, which Tehran says is to produce medical isotopes. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 19 [NYTr] US Exercise Stages Mock Attack on N.Korea Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 11:15:46 -0600 (CST) X-Sender-Host-Name: chumbly.math.missouri.edu X-DSPAM-Result: mail; result="Innocent"; class="Whitelisted"; probability=0.0000; confidence=1.00; signature=N/A X-Spam-Class: HAM Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Prensa Latina, Havana http://www.plenglish.com US Exercise Stages Mock Attack on North Korea Pyongyang, Nov 23 (Prensa Latina) Over 150 US combat planes conducted war exercises against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, KCNA news agency denounced Thursday. The agency quoted military sources saying the air drill included F-16 and A-10 planes from the forces stationed in South Korea, as well as others based abroad. KCNA said the military practice sessions were audacious, and that they clearly included actions aimed against North Korea. Fighter-bombers and pursuit planes simulated attacks against land targets, and over Korea's western sea. All the exercises took place in front of Inchon (a port near Seoul) and over Osan, Ansong, Hongchon, Nyongwol, and Jechon. The war maneuvers were aimed at increasing the capacity to conduct accurate attacks against North Korean's strategic goals, the agency stated. hr dig jhb mf PL-9 * ================================================================ .NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems . Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us . .339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org .List Archives: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ .Subscribe: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================ ***************************************************************** 20 Korea Herald: North Korea will abandon nukes - expert North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons based on strategic reasons, a North Korean expert from the United States said yesterday. Dr. Han S. Park from the University of Georgia claimed that the U.N. sanctions against North Korea led by the United States were a "complete failure" and that the nuclear device tested by the communist regime was said to be "scientifically advanced" weaponry. Park, 67, is professor of International Affairs and director of the Center for the Study of Global Issues at the university, and visited Pyongyang between Nov. 18-21. Park, speaking at a special forum hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council in Seoul, said there were three reasons why the North would give up its nuclear program. "First is that even if it dismantles all nuclear facilities and nuclear bombs, they would still have scientists and materials. So in their calculation, it is not a definitive sacrifice," Park said. Secondly, he said, the North considers this to be the best time to give up their nuclear program as their nuclear test could prompt an arms race with Japan and Taiwan, both of whom can eventually surpass North Korea's minuscule nuclear power. "Thirdly, it is a well-acknowledged policy in the North to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula under the teachings of late leader Kim Il-sung." North Korea has agreed to resume the six-party talks after a yearlong suspension. The United States is preparing measures with South Korea, Japan and China to lead North Korea into dismantling its nuclear program. Park, in his speech, lambasted the U.N. resolution passed in the Security Council after North Korea's Oct. 9 nuclear test. "The U.N. resolution that can be viewed as the work of the United States is a complete failure when it does work effectively and even if it does not work." He said there are high chances of military collision when the resolution banning North Korea's transfer of weapons of mass destruction is implemented and put into action. Even when the resolution does not work - leaving North Korea holding on to its nuclear program - it could lead to a nuclear arms race in the region, he said. Park said that the resolution reflected the Western world's three misconceptions about the North - that Kim Jong-il is crazy, that the North Korean regime will soon collapse and that a unilateral voice of many nations will be effective. Park was born in China to immigrant Korean parents and studied in China, Korea and the United States. He has visited North Korea more than 35 times since 1981 and initiated track-II negotiations designed to alleviate tension on the Korean Peninsula. Donald Gregg, a former U.S. ambassador to Korea, called him "an architect for inter-Korea rapprochement." Park said, "Kim Jung-il is a very competent politician and has already completely wiped out conflict within the military and therefore eliminated the possibility of collapse. The North Korean military believes it will not crumble in the face of any attack, including from China." Park said he heard from the North Korean side that the military carried out a highly technically advanced nuclear test last month. "(Outside observers say) the test was a failure but these people (North Koreans) say that the test was successful as they succeeded in blasting off a small nuclear device, which can be installed onto a warhead." He later identified his sources as North Korean scholars and added that they believed in their success "theoretically." He also criticized the South Korean government for sending "negative signs internationally" by not suspending inter-Korean business at the Mount Geumgang tourist resort and Gaeseong industrial park after the nuclear test. "The inter-Korean relations hinge on relations between South Korea and the United States. No South Korean government will be able to engage with the North if the Bush administration goes against it." He added that North Korea also understands how South Korea cannot make a unilateral decision to send food or other aid to the North if the United States opposes. (angiely@heraldm.com) By Lee Joo-hee 2006.11.24 ***************************************************************** 21 YONHAP NEWS: N.K. official says inter-Korean relations depend on Seoul's attitude 2006/11/25 01:22 KST PYONGYANG, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- Restoration of inter-Korean relations depends on how South Korea decides to act, a North Korean civic organization official said Friday after criticizing Seoul's yes vote on a U.N. resolution on North Korea's human rights abuses. The official, a senior member of the North's National Reconciliation Council, said the prospects at the upcoming six-party talks are uncertain. In an interview with Yonhap without having his name revealed, the official expressed strong discontent that South Korea voted in favor of a U.N. committee resolution denouncing North Korea's human rights violations. It was the first time that Seoul gave a yes vote on an international document criticizing the situation in the communist nation. The resolution passed the U.N. Third Committee a week ago and goes to a full General Assembly vote next month. "Do you think our brethren will allow us to talk to people like that?" the official said, adding South Koreans have "lost face" and would not be able to come back to the talks with the North. He called Seoul's decision "an act of defiance" and said human rights are an internal issue demanding respect. Asked about the prospects at the six-party talks, he responded, "We would know only after we confront each other." After nearly a year-long boycott, Pyongyang agreed to return to the multilateral talks that involve South and North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan. Analysts predict tough negotiations between Pyongyang, claiming to be a nuclear state, and Washington, demanding complete dismantlement of the North's nuclear weapons. The official denied reports of a severe food shortage in the North, rejecting claims by international relief agencies that the country will run out of food in January. "We are fine," he said. "We can be self-sufficient." The National Reconciliation Council was established in 1998 and has a counterpart organization in South Korea. Its members include political, social and cultural figures who function as a channel of dialogue between the two Koreas. ***************************************************************** 22 Xinhua: DPRK vows not to use nukes against South Korea www.chinaview.cn 2006-11-23 22:54:29 Related report: DPRK conducts nuclear test PYONGYANG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic¡¡of Korea(DPRK) would never use nuclear weapons against its countrymen in South Korea, the official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) reported on Thursday. In a declaration issued by the official Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, the DPRK called upon "all the fellow countrymen in the north, the south and overseas to bravely come out in the struggle to frustrate the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and the former's¡¡sanctions and blockade against the latter," reported the KCNA. The DPRK said that as a result of its "Songun politics" (army first policy), it had become a member of the nuclear club. "The nuclear weapon of the DPRK is used to defend peace and the¡¡Korean Nation," said the declaration. The DPRK announced on Oct. 9 that it had conducted a successful¡¡underground nuclear test, drawing universal opposition from the international community. The United Nations Security Council on Oct. 14 unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on the DPRK as punishment for the test. DPRK blames South Korea for accelerating arms buildup PYONGYANG, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) on Friday blamed South Korea for accelerating the buildup of arms to worsen the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In a commentary carried by the leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the DPRK described South Korea's act of developing ultra-modern war equipment as "an open provocation and challenge to the DPRK and an anti-national crime." Full Story Editor: Luan Shanglin ***************************************************************** 23 [NYTr] Blair about to tear up Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 11:16:38 -0600 (CST) X-Sender-Host-Name: chumbly.math.missouri.edu X-DSPAM-Result: mail; result="Innocent"; class="Whitelisted"; probability=0.0000; confidence=1.00; signature=N/A X-Spam-Class: HAM Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit sent by Simon McGuinness "While Tony Blair rattles his sabre and waves treaties at foreigners, he's agitating for Britain to break those same treaties. Building a new nuclear weapon is against international law and threatens to unravel the global non-proliferation system." The Independent - 23 November 2006 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2007495.ece Blair 'overriding Cabinet' on renewal of Trident By Andrew Grice, Political Editor Tony Blair has been accused of "bouncing" the Cabinet and Labour MPs into a decision to renew Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system at a cost of up to #25bn. Cabinet ministers who will today demand a public debate on the various options, believe the Prime Minister will railroad through the scheme without a proper discussion to ensure that part of his legacy when he stands down next year is to keep Britain in the nuclear club. Mr Blair will also brush aside legal doubts about renewing Trident. The international lawyer Philippe Sands, a QC in the Matrix chambers co-founded by Cherie Blair, has produced a legal opinion for Greenpeace saying that the move would breach the Nuclear Non-Profileration Treaty. It has been sent to the Prime Minister and Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General. Dominick Jenkins, Greenpeace's disarmament campaigner, said: "While Tony Blair rattles his sabre and waves treaties at foreigners, he's agitating for Britain to break those same treaties. Building a new nuclear weapon is against international law and threatens to unravel the global non-proliferation system." At the Cabinet's weekly meeting today, Mr Blair will face down three sceptics who are pressing for a wider debate before a decision is taken in principle - Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary; Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary and Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary. Mr Hain has asked the Treasury to estimate what the various options would cost so that the Cabinet does not rely solely on figures produced by the Ministry of Defence. The options include extending the life of the four Vanguard-class submarines and American-made D5 missiles beyond 2024 when the system will reach the end of its life; buying a direct replacement in line with the UK's current agreement with the US; ordering a brand new submarine-based, ground or air-launched capability and not replacing Trident. The Prime Minister will argue that Labour's manifesto said the party was "committed to retaining the independent nuclear deterrent". His critics say the pledge was slipped in at the last minute without any debate. Mr Blair may also argue that a public discussion on the alternative systems may jeopardise the nation's security by handing sensitive information to Britain's enemies. One minister said last night: "The PM is determined to force this through and there is little we can do to stop him. It's a bounce. It's just a pity we couldn't debate the issue." Mr Blair hinted at his approach in the Commons yesterday, when he said that a White Paper would be published before Christmas but side-stepped a plea by Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, for MPs to be allowed to vote on detailed options rather than just the principle. He repeated his call later in a letter to Mr Blair. The Prime Minister told MPs: "I suspect this is going to be not so much an issue of process but where we stand on a particular issue, and I believe that is important to maintain the independent nuclear deterrent." Gordon Prentice, a Labour MP, called for a Green Paper discussion document on the options rather than a White Paper presenting MPs with a fait accompli. He said: "This is New Labour, old politics, with a decision taken by a tiny number of people at the centre." Although 40 Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for a public debate, Mr Blair is expected to win a vote on the principle of renewing Trident with the help of the Tory Opposition, which supports the idea. Gordon Brown, Mr Blair's most likely successor, has announced his support for retaining Britain's nuclear deterrent. * ================================================================ .NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems . Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us . .339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org .List Archives: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ .Subscribe: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================ ***************************************************************** 24 Guardian Unlimited: 2007 vote on Trident replacement From Press Association [UP] Press Association Thursday November 23, 2006 12:58 PM Parliament will vote on the possibility of a replacement for the Trident nuclear deterrent systems early next year, it has been announced. The Government will bring forward a White Paper on the issue before Christmas, which will then be followed by a "period of debate", the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. Asked whether the Commons would be presented with a range of options concerning the deterrent strategy, the spokesman added: "The Government will put forward its views and the House will vote on that view." The Cabinet was said to have had a "good discussion" on the Trident issue this morning, lasting for nearly an hour. Defence Secretary Des Browne opened the meeting with a presentation, before Tony Blair and other ministers made contributions. The spokesman refused to comment on reports that some senior Cabinet ministers had concerns over plans for replacing Trident, insisting that the time for detailed discussion would come after the White Paper was published. Both Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - widely seen as his successor - are believed to support maintaining a nuclear deterrent. The spokesman added: "The vote will be on a Government proposal contained in the White Paper." The existing fleet of Vanguard nuclear-powered submarines which carry the Trident missiles start to come to the end of their life from 2024, while designing and building replacements will take 17 years. Defence procurement minister Lord Drayson said on Wednesday that the White Paper would look at options for land or air-launched systems, but stressed that these would carry a "significantly greater technological risk" than a submarine-based system. © Copyright Press Association Ltd 2006, All Rights Reserved. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 25 Guardian Unlimited: Beware of Trident-lite | Comment | A hasty decision to renew the nuclear arms system would deny us the debate we deserve Richard Norton-Taylor Thursday November 23, 2006 The cabinet is expected to have its first discussion today on a decision that will have momentous consequences, of the kind that surfaces once in a generation. We could be forgiven for assuming it is a forgone conclusion. But is it? The issue is the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent, now in the form of four submarines, each able to carry 16 US Trident missiles, each of which can carry 12 warheads. In the Commons yesterday Tony Blair repeated his well-worn, indeed predictable, view that Britain should retain an "independent" nuclear deterrent, a position echoed by Gordon Brown in the summer as he began to dress up in prime ministerial clothes. Peter Hain and Hilary Benn have indicated uneasiness about a decision to replace Trident. Yet Downing Street and Des Browne, the defence secretary, are confident the whole cabinet will sign up to a white paper explaining the decision, promised before Christmas. This suggests Blair will plump for some of the easier decisions in the multitude of sins - carrying on as before, for example, by extending the life of the existing system, while cutting the number of missiles or warheads, and reducing the yields of the warheads. (In 1998, after a year in power, the government limited to 48 the number of warheads on any of the Trident submarines, down from the previous Conservative government's ceiling of 96.) Such "Trident-lite" options may avoid a cabinet split and a serious revolt by Labour MPs. The danger is that we will be lulled into submission by a decision made to appear to be a reduction in Britain's nuclear weapons capability. The public debate ministers claim they want will be put off or stifled. The military is copping out of the debate, saying any decision about Trident is political. They say their only concern is that the costs, estimated at £20-£76bn over 30 years, do not come out of the existing defence budget. Whitehall officials back away from serious discussion. Their main concern, it seems, is the prospect of France being Europe's only nuclear power. When pressed, they admit it would be difficult to argue now for Britain to acquire nuclear weapons if it did not already have them. Questions abound. The government has yet to explain who now would be deterred by Trident. It says Britain needs the weapon as an insurance policy against an unforseen enemy. "Any justification for upgrading or replacing Trident predicated on the risk of some possible (but unknown) future threat is inherently incompatible" with Britain's obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, Philippe Sands, a leading international lawyer, told Greenpeace this week in a legal opinion. International law is notoriously open to differing interpretations. There is also the question of what message the government's decision would send to those countries, not just Iran, seeking nuclear weapons know-how. In a report, Worse than Irrelevant?, published yesterday, the Acronym Institute, an independent thinktank, says: "At the heart of the debate about British nuclear weapons is the question of Britain's role in the world ... Effective decision-making on this issue requries not only the expertise of military, political, technical or financial practitioners, but also civil society." Any decision, it adds, "needs to follow an open and well-informed public debate, encompassing all sections of our democracy". A minimalist decision would have one clear advantage, apart from cost. A decision to buy new submarines and missiles need not be taken for at least five years - time for a deeper debate about the options, including non-nuclear deterrence. The white paper may provide initial food for thought over Christmas. [UP] Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 26 Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear countdown | Comment | Trident renewal Friday November 24, 2006 "This is not the Shops Act or fox hunting," said Jack Straw yesterday, as he defended the prospect of Labour MPs being whipped through the lobbies early next year when parliament votes on plans to replace Trident. The Commons leader is right about that: shop opening hours and hunting were subjects MPs were able to discuss over many years. Debate about the replacement of Britain's nuclear missile system, by contrast, will be over almost before it has begun. There is a dreary sense of inevitability about the whole process. On the face of it, the government is offering a wider discussion than has any government before. But underneath the promise of a debate looks like nothing more than window dressing, brightening up a decision that has already been taken. Plans for Britain's nuclear weapons programme have always been made in secret. In the 1970s, Labour backed the Cheveline upgrade to Polaris without telling the public at all. In 1980, the new Conservative government announced its intention to acquire the Trident system in a parliamentary statement. This time gestures are being made towards openness but the underlying process remains the same. Yesterday, the cabinet spent a hour discussing what should happen when Trident reaches the end of its service life around 2024. Ministers will return to the topic when the defence white paper, setting out the options, comes out next month. A substantive vote in parliament will follow early in the new year - on a clear proposal, not just the general principle, Downing Street confirmed yesterday. All this is welcome. But a proper debate needs time and facts. Both are in short supply. The defence white paper will come out days before Christmas - hardly the moment to trigger any sort of debate, let alone one on something with such long-term strategic and financial consequences. Parliament will vote, in January or February, without time to consider the document properly. Mr Straw is right that on such a central policy issue, MPs will not expect a free vote. But that does not mean they should be hustled through the lobbies after only a token discussion of the issue. The sense is of a government that wants to set plans for Trident's replacement in stone before the prime minister stands down, a political timetable, not a military one. Where is the evidence that the decision must be taken this winter? There are strong grounds for opposing nuclear renewal. The government should turn its debate into a real one and listen. [UP] Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 27 London Times: Trident: revise it or reject it? - Comment - November 25, 2006 Sir, If the UK decides to retain nuclear arms, it will be a signal to every country that may soon acquire nuclear weapons that we consider them worth the political and economic cost. It will be a step towards a world ruled forever by mutual threat and fear. If the UK were to forgo nuclear weapons, it would indicate that one of the original nuclear states had decided that they were no longer necessary for its security; a step towards a world ruled by law and mutual understanding. At a recent meeting in Cairo the Council of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, which with Sir Joseph Rotblat received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work during the Cold War, made a strong recommendation: “As the UK Trident nuclear weapon system is nearing the end of its operational life, the UK Government has a unique opportunity to lead the way towards the total abolition of nuclear weapons. The Pugwash Council strongly recommends that the UK decides not to renew, renovate or replace its nuclear weapons”. ROBERT A. HINDE Chair, British Pugwash Group Cambridge Sir, Greenpeace welcomes a debate on Trident replacement (“Beckett leads Cabinet split on replacement for nuclear deterrent”, Nov 22). Your article, however, only outlines four options. There is a crucial fifth that the Government must consider: to abandon plans to replace Trident, to take Trident off patrol and to confine warheads to an internationally monitored site in the UK. If this happened, the Government could credibly lead efforts on international disarmament negotiations. DOMINICK JENKINS Greenpeace, Disarmament Campaigner, London N1 Sir, You report that the Foreign Secretary notes how our nuclear deterrent was “dictated in the Cold War circumstances of decades ago” and that “the security situation today across the world is very, very different”. The global threat that filled the ideological vacuum left after communism — namely, Islamism — is one that the world’s leaders are only now beginning to realise. It is more poisonous than communism and it is precisely because of this threat that extending the life of Trident is crucial. JOHN HAYWARD Tonbridge, Kent Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times. ***************************************************************** 28 Economic Times: India, China agree to 10-pt strategy to enhance ties- PTI[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 01:50:52 PM] NEW DELHI: India and China on Tuesday agreed to a ten-pronged strategy to intensify cooperation and enhance the strategic ties between them. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who held a 100-minutes of talks with visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao here, said that the two sides decided the positive developments that have taken place in Sino-Indian ties "must be made irreversible". In his statement after parleys with Hu, who arrived here last night on a four-day visit, Singh said that the two sides will continue with regular summits and high-level exchanges to further strengthen relations between them. The Prime Minister said that the two countries have agreed to promote civil nuclear cooperation. Appreciative of the progress made by the two Special Representatives on the border issue, Singh said both the leaders have asked them to expedite efforts on it based on the Political and the Guiding Principles signed in April last year. An early boundary settlement will advance the basic interest of the two countries, he said. On the boundary issue, Hu said China believed that early settlement of the border question would be fundamental in the interest of both countries and help strengthen strategic objectives. Copyright ©2006Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved. For ***************************************************************** 29 BBC: Trident vote due 'early in 2007' Last Updated: Thursday, 23 November 2006 [HMS Vanguard] The operational end of Trident's life is due to be 2024 MPs will vote early in 2007 on whether Britain's nuclear weapons system should be replaced, Downing Street has said. Ministers are to outline their favoured option - expected to be a replacement for the Trident system - in a white paper to be published in December. The vote will follow a three-month consultation on the plans, which were discussed at Thursday's Cabinet. Ministers want a quick decision to ensure any replacement is ready when Trident's working life ends in 2024. But Commons leader Jack Straw said "There is no suggestion whatsoever of this decision being rushed." Defence 'essential' He added: "We have a responsibility not to cop out of this but to come to a decision, and we shall. "We're talking about defence of the nation here, not the Shops Act or fox hunting." TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM [Trident] Missil length: 44ft (13m) Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg) Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m) Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km) Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocket Cost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works The white paper would "recite" options and say why they were acceptable or not - and a vote will be held on a single recommendation, Mr Straw said. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown - widely expected to be his successor - have both indicated their support for retaining an independent nuclear weapons system. Mr Blair has said they were an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself. Supporters argue Trident is needed to deter any threat - particularly at a time when countries like North Korea and Iran harbour their own nuclear ambitions. The Conservatives also back retaining nuclear weapons, while the Liberal Democrats have called for a wider vote on the options. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "I have written to the prime minister to emphasise that any vote on a Trident replacement should focus on the options available. "We owe it to the British people and future generations to have a proper discussion." 'Middle way' Britain has 16 Trident missiles based on each of the four nuclear submarines. Defence minister Lord Drayson told a Commons committee this week that the white paper would look at whether to keep a submarine-based system or change to a land-based or aircraft-based system. [Anti-nuclear protest] Campaigners say Trident should be scrapped MPs on that Commons defence committee, who are looking at the issue, are also considering a "middle way" of overhauling, rather than replacing, the submarine fleet carrying the US-made Trident missiles. Anti-nuclear campaigners say they fear the government has already decided to go ahead with replacing Trident. Critics say the cost of replacing Trident - estimated at up to £25bn - would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as nuclear weapons would be useless in the fight against international terrorism. Kate Hudson, chairman of CND - the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - said a white paper could "close down" the wider debate. ***************************************************************** 30 AFP: British lawmakers to vote on replacing nuclear deterrent - Thu Nov 23, 2:29 PM LONDON (AFP) - British lawmakers will be allowed to vote on whether the government should replace its Trident nuclear deterrent missiles, Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said. Tony Blair's official spokesman has said. Ministers will bring forward proposals on a successor to Trident before the end of the year, which will be followed by a "period of debate", the spokesman told reporters Thursday. The move follows a campaign by more than 120 Labour lawmakers to let them have a say on the issue, which has divided the party under the pro-nuclear Blair, who became leader in 1994. Opposition to nuclear weapons and power was historically a central plank of Labour Party policy and disagreement over the current position underlines divisions between left-wing "old" and centre-left "new" Labour. In the 1980s, party leaders such as Neil Kinnock spoke at marches organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Blair has indicated he wants to keep the nuclear deterrent, as has Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. But senior ministers including Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett reportedly have concerns about Trident. The Conservative Party believes in keeping Trident, while the Liberal Democrats want to retain a minimum deterrent "for the foreseeable future". Britain's aging nuclear deterrent consists of four Royal Navy submarines, one of which is always on patrol, fitted with US-built Trident missiles. It will become obsolete in the mid-2020s. A successor would require many years of development and could cost up to 25 billion pounds. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 32 GREENPEACE UK: Trident replacement may be illegal under international law [Modelling the bomb - a supercomputer like the one planned for AWE Aldermaston simulates a nuclear explosion] An independent, authoritative legal opinion from a top international lawyer indicates that replacing or renewing Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system is inconsistent with international law, and will put Tony Blair at risk of breaking the same international disarmament treaty that he says Iran must respect. New nuclear power for Scotland? As the Scottish Labour Party gathered in Oban for the first day of their party conference, green groups were there to urge First Minister Jack McConnell to come clean on his plans for nuclear power. [A seamount before and after bottom-trawling] Iceland harpoons deep-sea protection There's no other word for it. As our South Park friends would say: "You bastards!" The proposed moratorium on high-seas bottom trawling was harpooned today at the UN, as Iceland put the interests of their fishing fleets above other countries and scientific advice. Greenpeace ***************************************************************** 33 Xinhua: China, Pakistan agree to enhance strategic, co-op partnership www.chinaview.cn 2006-11-24 16:54:26 Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Nov. 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) ISLAMABAD, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed here Friday to continue to enrich the contents of bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership by expanding practical and reciprocal cooperation in various fields. During their talks, the two presidents spoke highly of bilateral all-weather friendship and all-dimensional cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, trade, military, science, technology, culture and education, as well as in international and regional affairs. Hu said the Chinese side appreciates Pakistan's support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and fighting against terrorism in the past years. The Chinese side will, as always, support Pakistan's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, noted Hu. Musharraf said this visit is of great significance as it coincides with the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, and he is convinced that this visit will make important contributions to the development of bilateral existing relations of sound cooperation. Hu made a five-point proposal for the further growth of bilateral relations. The first is to expand exchanges at various levels concerning high-level contacts, and that between government departments, legislative bodies, political parties, and armed forces, as well as within bilateral consultation mechanisms covering strategy, economy, trade, science, technology, security and defense. The second is to expand economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit, which requires a better implementation of the bilateral free trade agreement and the development program on bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The two sides should also pay due attention to key projects covering nuclear power station and port construction, and expand cooperation in investment, agriculture, communications, energy, finance and information. The third is to promote exchanges in such fields as culture, health, sports, education, tourism, press, human resources development and vocational training. China will invite 500 Pakistani young people to visit China in the next five years. The fourth is to deepen cooperation in the non-traditional security fields, explore and set up regular channels for cooperation, and jointly push for more substantial results of anti-terrorism cooperation. The fifth is to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multi-lateral areas such as in the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Asia-Europe Meeting. Agreeing with Hu, Musharraf said Pakistan treasures bilateral relationship and looks forward to a stronger development of such relations. He said Pakistan would work with China to better consolidate bilateral relations, hoping that both sides will strengthen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, mining, energy, power, agriculture, culture and tourism, as well as in international and regional organizations, non-traditional security and combating terrorism. After the talks, Hu and Musharraf attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents including an agreement on bilateral free trade area. Hu arrived here Thursday on a state visit as Musharraf's guest. China-Pakistan trade volume exceeded 4 billion U.S. dollars last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 39 percent. Pakistan is the last leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Vietnam, Laos and India. Hu also attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 17 to 19 in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. Editor: Gao Ying ***************************************************************** 34 IAEA: Introductory Statement to the Board Of Governors + [IAEA.ORG :: Atoms for Peace] 23 November 2006 | Vienna, Austria IAEA Board of Governors by IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei Our agenda for this meeting is focused on the report of the Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC) and issues related to nuclear verification. Technical Cooperation Programme You have before you the Agency´s technical cooperation (TC) programme for 2007–2008, as conveyed by the TACC to the Board. The focus of TC programme management continues to be to assist Member States in making use of nuclear technology for development. With the introduction of the Programme Cycle Management Framework and other initiatives, we are making every effort to improve our ability to deliver an effective and efficient programme. Human health continues to be the largest single area of TC activity, accounting for nearly a quarter of the programme. The second largest area is food and agriculture, including mutation breeding, water and soil management and livestock health. Other important programme areas include nuclear power, radioisotope production, and a variety of other applications, as well as assistance across the full range of safety aspects. Naturally, all the activities of our TC programme are formulated and implemented in accordance with the Agency Statute, Guiding Principles, and the resolutions of the Policy-making Organs, as well as relevant Security Council resolutions. As with the management of all the activities entrusted to it by Member States, the Secretariat will continue to follow due process that is impartial, objective, and - subject to certain confidentiality restrictions - transparent. I am pleased with the improved rate of contributions to TC funding. I hope that this trend will continue. It is essential that all Member States, both donors and recipients, pay their share in a predictable and assured manner. Verification of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Status of Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols The Agency´s role as an independent and competent verification body remains central to the effectiveness of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. However, as you are aware, the extent of the Agency´s authority remains uneven from country to country. This year has seen a growing number of States with safeguards agreements and additional protocols in force. Safeguards agreements are now in force in 162 States, 78 of which also have additional protocols in force. Much, however, remains to be done. There are 30 States that have not fulfilled their legal obligation, under the NPT, to conclude a comprehensive safeguards agreement - and over 100 States that have yet to bring an additional protocol into force. The Board has before it additional protocols for the Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Malawi. In addition, you have before you an item-specific safeguards agreement for Pakistan, covering the Chasma II reactor. Implementation of Safeguards in the DPRK Since the end of December 2002, when IAEA verification activities were terminated by the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Agency has been unable to conduct any verification activities in the DPRK. The reported nuclear test carried out last month by the DPRK is a matter of deep regret and concern. The breaking of a de-facto global moratorium on nuclear explosive testing that has been in place for nearly a decade is a serious challenge to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. As the Security Council has demanded, the DPRK should abandon its nuclear weapons programme in a verifiable manner. The test by the DPRK re-emphasizes the urgent need to establish a universal ban on nuclear testing. In resolution 1172 (1998), the Security Council reaffirmed "the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as the cornerstones of the international regime on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and as essential foundations for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament". The DPRK test also underscores the importance and urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the current situation regarding the DPRK´s nuclear programme. The resumption of dialogue between all concerned parties is indispensable and urgent. I am pleased to note the recent agreement to resume the six-party talks. The IAEA stands ready to work with the DPRK - and with all others - towards a solution that, inter alia, makes use of the Agency´s verification capability with a view to assure the international community that all nuclear activities in the DPRK will become exclusively for peaceful purposes. Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran The report before you on the implementation of Agency safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran provides an update since my last report of 31 August. In July, the Security Council adopted resolution 1696, in which it, inter alia, called upon Iran to take the steps required by the Board in the resolution it adopted in February of this year. These steps included the necessity of the IAEA continuing its work to clarify all outstanding issues relating to Iran´s nuclear programme, and the re-establishment by Iran of full and sustained suspension of all its enrichment related and reprocessing activities. The report before you makes clear that Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities. In addition, the IAEA has not been able to make any further progress on resolving the outstanding issues. This is due to the decision by Iran to limit its cooperation with the Agency to the implementation of the safeguards agreement, and to link any further cooperation - particularly the needed transparency measures - to the on-going consideration of Iran´s nuclear programme by the Security Council. The IAEA is therefore unable to move forward in its efforts to confirm the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. This naturally continues to be a matter of serious concern. I should note again that although the transparency measures needed for the Agency to resolve outstanding issues may go beyond the legal requirements of the safeguards agreement, they are nonetheless a prerequisite for the Agency to reconstruct two decades of undeclared activities by Iran, and thereby to be able to provide assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran´s nuclear activities. This is a special situation created by Iran. It requires special transparency measures. I therefore urge Iran once more to provide the additional cooperation and the necessary transparency that are needed for the Agency to fulfil its mandate. To that end I should inform you that I have received in recent days communications from Iran, in which it agreed to an Agency request to take further environmental samples from the equipment already sampled at a technical university. It also agreed to provide access to the operating records of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. These are steps in the right direction. The earlier Iran takes the remaining transparency measures and addresses the outstanding issues, the earlier the Agency would be in a position to provide the needed assurances - assurances that are key to restoring international confidence regarding the scope and nature of Iran´s nuclear programme. I am still hopeful that, through dialogue between Iran and its partners, conditions will be created to achieve a comprehensive solution that addresses the respective concerns of all parties. New Framework and Assurance of Supply Mechanisms A Special Event was held during the General Conference on a new framework for the utilization of nuclear energy, to facilitate discussion of recent proposals on mechanisms for the assurance of supply of nuclear fuel. As I have said before, the assurance of supply of nuclear fuel, to be acceptable to States, should be formulated in a manner that is equitable and accessible to all users of nuclear energy. The Secretariat is now studying issues related to the modalities and criteria for possible assurance mechanisms. The Secretariat hopes to bring for consideration by the Board a report on "options" for assurances of supply by the middle of next year. More DG Statements » Copyright ©, International Atomic Energy Agency, P.O. Box 100, Wagramer Strasse 5, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone (+431) 2600-0; Facsimilie (+431) 2600-7; E-mail: ***************************************************************** 35 Guardian Unlimited: Cabinet unites behind decision to seek Trident replacement Patrick Wintour, political editor Friday November 24, 2006 The cabinet is willing to back the more expensive option of replacing the Trident nuclear deterrent with a new system, rather than prolonging its life, the Guardian understands. The decision, expected to be finalised in a fortnight, is backed by Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. Ministers have been told "the patch and mend option" might be more expensive in the medium term and would merely defer a necessary decision by a decade. The new system will be a submarine-based missile system, like Trident, since that is safer than having the missiles deployed on a land or air system. The cost of the proposed new system, spread over many years, is not yet clear, but some cabinet ministers have pointed out that many backbenchers would be angered at the spending at a time when health budgets are under pressure. Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, and Des Browne, the defence secretary, are due to have one to one meetings with cabinet colleagues about the content of a white paper on the subject before a final cabinet debate in two weeks. The cabinet held a discussion on the issue yesterday which, according to Jack Straw, the leader of the Commons, went beyond the issue of how the government would stage the debate on replacing the nuclear deterrent to discussing the substance of the white paper. Mr Straw confirmed that the white paper, setting out the government's preferred option, would be published before Christmas followed by a three-month debate prior to a vote in parliament. Mr Straw said there was consensus in cabinet for the retention of an independent deterrent and only a simpleton could think replacing Trident would breach the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, a view held by some barristers. Mr Straw said the Commons would be asked to vote on the government's preferred option, and it would be for others to put down amendments on other options and for the Speaker to decide whether to call the amendment. He argued the government was going further than any predecessor in holding a wide-ranging public debate on a defence issues. He defended the vote next year being conducted under a party whip, saying: "We have a responsibility not to cop out of this but to come to a decision, and we shall. We're talking about defence of the nation here, not the Shops Act or fox hunting." The vote will also be an early test of Mr Brown's authority, as he has made a point of supporting a replacement for Trident. Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, was one of the leading cabinet members pressing for the Labour party to be involved in the debate. He appeared to be satisfied with a three month debate, and was certain the issue would not be railroaded through the party. He insisted he supported the deterrent adding that the general public would expect a global power to have a clear view on nuclear deterrence. But it is not yet clear whether the party will hold a special national policy forum to discuss the issue. A leading Labour opponent of the deterrent, David Chaytor, praised the government for staging the debate and the vote. He said: "This is the first time any one has invited a debate on the future of nuclear weapons and to offer a vote. This is progress for democracy." But he said that the issue was so important it could not be reduced to a "quick yes/no vote". He is one of many Labour MPs to question the relevance of nuclear weapons in a post cold war world. He said: "Possessing nuclear weapons did not deter Saddam Hussein from invading Kuwait and we will have to think in future the main opponent is an invisible terrorist enemy, and not a global enemy." [UP] Guardian Newspapers Limited ***************************************************************** 36 Mos News: Russia, Indonesia to Sign Agreement on Nuclear Energy - MOSNEWS.COM Created: 23.11.2006 16:15 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 16:15 MSK MosNews Jakarta and Moscow will sign a series of agreements in various areas including aerospace and nuclear energy during Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s official trip to Russia next week, the Russian ambassador to Indonesia said on Thursday, Nov. 23. Ambassador Mikhail Bely told a news conference that agreement on nuclear energy will focus on the peaceful use of this energy source, opening the doors for various kinds of energy-related projects. “One of them is that we are interested in participating in the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Indonesia,” Bely was quoted by Kyodo News Service. Indonesia is pressing ahead with plans to construct four nuclear power plants in Ujung Lemahabang on the Muria Peninsula on the northern coast of Central Java Province, about 450 kilometers east of Jakarta, despite strong protests, mostly from environmental organizations. In a recent interview with Kyodo News, Research and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman said that under the plan, Indonesia will invite companies to bid for the project in 2008 or 2009, with construction getting under way in 2009 to meet a target of operating its first nuclear power plants in 2016. Besides Russia, companies from France, Japan, South Korea and the United States, as well as domestic energy company Medco Energy Corp., have expressed interest in investing in the project. Yudhoyono will visit Russia for three days from next Thursday, Nov. 30, following a trip to Japan. Copyright © 2004 MOSNEWS.COM ***************************************************************** 37 Telegraph: Comment | Debating Trident Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 24/11/2006 The Government seems determined to limit debate on renewing Britain's nuclear deterrent. Yet since the Trident system was chosen in 1980, the geo-strategic situation has altered drastically. The Soviet Union and its empire have collapsed. Islamic terrorism has left its terrible imprint across the globe, from New York to Bali and London. Constraints on proliferation have been undermined by irreconcilable differences between the nuclear-weapon haves and have-nots and the determination of Iran and North Korea to acquire an atomic arsenal. And the special relationship between Britain and America, which supplies us with the missiles for delivering the warheads, has been called into question by the disaster of Iraq. All of this merits a lengthy debate on whether we should replace Trident and, if so, with what system. Yet the Government refused to take a motion on the issue at the Labour Party conference in September. Yesterday, having discussed it for less than an hour, the Cabinet announced that a White Paper would be published before Christmas and that a parliamentary vote would be held early next year. This schedule suggests that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, his probable successor, want to get the Trident question out of the way as soon as possible. Each has come out in favour of maintaining the deterrent but has not deigned to make a convincing case in public for his view. The electorate is being short-changed. This newspaper believes that our nuclear arsenal acts as a deterrent and is commensurate with our status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The question then arises as to whether we should seek to extend the life of the existing Vanguard submarines and the Trident D5 missiles, to replace the latter in agreement with Washington, or to develop our own delivery system. The Government has yet to enlighten us on its preferences. It appears we shall have to wait for the White Paper. © Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2006. ***************************************************************** 38 Telegraph: Brown ready to pay price for new Trident By Neil Tweedie Last Updated: 2:14am GMT 24/11/2006 Gordon Brown is backing the most expensive option for a new British nuclear deterrent  a "top end" fleet of ballistic missile-firing submarines costing tens of billions of pounds. Despite the Chancellor's traditional caution over spending, sources say he has no intention of compromising on a replacement for the current Trident submarine force. That will mean a new squadron of three or four nuclear-powered submarines, almost certainly equipped with an updated version of the American-built Trident D5. He has rejected a cheap, token force to support a programme estimated to cost anything up to £40 billion during its lifetime. Yesterday, Tony Blair promised a parliamentary debate on a White Paper on the future of the deterrent. But while MPs would be allowed to debate the principle of Britain remaining a nuclear power, Mr Blair suggested that they would not be able to question the type and cost of the next system. The Cabinet will discuss the matter for the first time today. The promise of a debate is unlikely to satisfy Labour backbenchers opposed to nuclear weapons in principle. © Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2006. ***************************************************************** 39 AFP: Chinese president to visit close ally Pakistan by Danny Kemp Thu Nov 23, 6:38 AM ET ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao" /> was due to arrive in Pakistan to reassure Beijing's closest ally of its strategic and economic support despite warming ties with Islamabad's nuclear rival India. Hu's four-day visit to the Islamic republic -- the first by a Chinese leader in a decade -- begins Thursday and will centre around talks expected to focus on boosting trade and potentially aiding Pakistan's nuclear programme. Huge red banners showing Hu and his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf were strung up around the normally staid capital Islamabad ahead of the Chinese president's arrival from India after a landmark three-day trip. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that several key agreements would be signed during the "very significant" visit. China's official Xinhua news agency said the deals would be "unprecedented". "China has been a consistent and a reliable friend of Pakistan for the last 55 years and we have very deep and strong cooperation in all areas," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP. Hu will hold meetings with Musharraf and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday before heading to the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday where he will meet with business people. "A number of agreements will be signed during this visit which will further strengthen existing cooperation in various fields, and will also expand bilateral relationship to the education, social and culture sectors," Aslam said. Recent reports that Pakistan and China may sign a nuclear deal similar to one made by India and the United States earlier this year were "speculative", she added. "However we have a long-standing cooperation in the civil nuclear field with China and a broad ranging agreement was signed in February 2006 when President Musharraf visited China." China has built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. Beijing remains the largest arms supplier to Islamabad and the two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft. It has also invested millions of dollars in a "megaport" in southwestern Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea. Analysts said however that China had shown its desire to woo India as well as Pakistan to shore up Beijing's international role and prevent New Delhi being "exploited" by the United States as a strategic rival. Hu said in New Delhi that he welcomed improving relations between Pakistan India, who have fought three wars since independence in 1947 and have failed to resolve a rancorous border dispute over Kashmir" /> . "China is trying to balance its relations with Pakistan and India in the context of its role as a global economic power," said analyst and retired Pakistani army general Talat Masood. "The greatest challenge for Pakistan now is to understand that China today has much wider goals than in the past. Pakistan should try to continue its good relations with China and develop them for its own economic progress." Hu left the Indian financial capital of Mumbai late Thursday for Islamabad in an Air China Boeing 747 after a three-day visit. Hundreds of extra security forces were deployed in Islamabad for Hu's visit, with plainclothes policemen and armed police commandos lining the airport road. All roadside verges have been searched while police have intensified spot checks on vehicles throughout the capital, a senior police official said. Islamic militants and tribal insurgents have carried out a series of attacks on Chinese workers and interests in Pakistan in the past two years in order to derail Beijing's investment in the country. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 40 The Hindu: China's willingness on N-coop step in right direction - India Thursday, November 23, 2006 : 2025 Hrs New Delhi, Nov 23. (PTI): China's willingness to cooperate with India in civil nuclear field is a step in the "right direction" in the "difficult and complex" relations, officials here said today while expressing satisfaction over the outcome of President Hu Jintao's visit. Even as the two countries decided to forge closer all-round ties, China is understood to have not responded positively to India's suggestion for opening two more border points -- Bumla and Damchok -- for trade and interactions. China has agreed to promote cooperation with India in the civil nuclear field, which is a movement in the "right direction", officials said as Hu wound up his four-day visit. Chinese willingess to promote civil nuclear cooperation was conveyed by Hu during his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday. New Delhi feels that there is substantial scope for cooperation in this field and Bejing can "give a lot to us". Department of Atomic Energy Secertary Anil Kakodkar has already visited China once and held discussions in this regard. On Chinese position in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) vis-a-vis India's quest for civil nuclear cooperation with the international community, the officials said it was too early to conclude anything on that as New Delhi is yet to formally seek support. However, discussions are being held at official level on the matter. Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. ***************************************************************** 41 Whitehaven News: Blair points to a nuclear future for West Cumbria Published on 23/11/2006 Tony Blair meets apprentices and talks to staff at BTC PRIME Minister Tony Blair has given his strongest indication yet that new nuclear power stations will be built – and that Sellafield will have a key role in a nuclear industry renaissance. The Premier also reiterated the Government’s commitment to a new hospital for West Cumbria when he visited the nuclear plant last Thursday after an invitation from the site’s GMB union convener Peter Kane. He told workers that the nuclear industry does have a solid future – and that means a “tremendous opportunity for Sellafieldâ€. Mr Blair, who was accompanied on a tour of the site by Copeland MP Jamie Reed and Sellafield MD Barry Snelson, met apprentices and graduates; a cross-section of workers, who he thanked for their work; a panel of community leaders; and the site’s trade unions. It was his second visit to Sellafield. He last visited in 1987 when he was shadow energy secretary. Mr Reed said the latest visit was particularly significant as it was Mr Blair’s first engagement after the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday, making it, he said, “very, very high profileâ€. He thanked Mr Blair for putting nuclear power back on the agenda and said he wants west Cumbria to become the international centre for excellence for the nuclear industry. The Prime Minister gave a public address at the British Technology Centre at Sellafield, where Britain’s first National Nuclear Laboratory, announced by industry secretary Alistair Darling last month, will be based. On arrival Mr Blair told the workforce: “Thank you to all of you for the work you are doing here which is of importance not just to Sellafield and the nuclear industry, but to the whole of the country.†He told a gathering of 200 workers: “The National Nuclear Laboratory is an indication of our faith in Sellafield. There are very, very powerful reasons to do with energy security as to why we have to go back nuclear. It is not just something in the past but something in the future and I think it is a tremendous opportunity for Sellafield. That is why I have come here today.†He said he wanted to educate people about what the nuclear industry has been about, what it is today and what it can be in the future, and said he wants to clear up misconceptions about nuclear issues. He also told workers that the skills they had were invaluable and need to be treasured. Mr Snelson said the visit was a great boost for the morale of the Sellafield site and that he wants to ensure that any renaissance of nuclear power includes Sellafield in a major way as it has the people, the technology and the skills. Mr Blair also met a community panel and has invited a delegation to Number 10 in the New Year to discuss the West Cumbria Master Plan, which is being drawn up to secure the area’s future amid the threat of 8,000 job losses at Sellafield in the next 10 years. The plan is a blueprint for bringing in future investment and the Prime Minister said that the area’s infrastructure was important, as well as health services. “There is a very strong case and a commitment to a new hospital,†he added. Copeland leader Elaine Woodburn said his visit gave her a lot of promise and hope. Mr Blair said he wanted his visit to send out the message that west Cumbria has a great future. “I believe there will be a new generation of new nuclear power stations in this country and I think Sellafield has a very bright future, particularly when you are going to have the new National Nuclear Laboratory here,†he said. “Sellafield has a lot of experience in this industry – this is an opportunity and we just need to have the confidence to move forward.†Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, Tom Brennan, GMB Northern Regional Secretary and Gary Smith, GMB National Officer for the energy industry together with the joint Shop Stewards Committee on site met with the Prime Minister. They told him that the site should be home to two new nuclear reactors and provide the skills and facilities to deal with the entire nuclear cycle. But anti-nuclear group CORE criticised the words of support for the industry. Spokesperson Janaine Allis-Smith said: “It was clearly a matter of the blind leading the blind – everyone ignoring the one reality that nuclear power can make no contribution whatsoever to carbon reduction or security of supply in the near future because of its long build timeâ€. “CORE believes that the Prime Minister’s time in West Cumbria would have been better served in publicly reconciling his support and approval for the transport of plutonium fuel from Barrow to Switzerland this coming weekend with his war on terror. “The MOX fuel shipment from Barrow at the weekend will contain a significant amount of plutonium – a direct product of nuclear power and a major target for today’s sophisticated terrorists and a prime resource for their weapons. By playing into the terrorists hands, these shipments put us all at unnecessary risk,†she said. ***************************************************************** 42 SNA: Bulgaria: IAEA's Yanko Yanev: EU's Stance on Bulgaria's Nuke is Apartheid Sat 25 Nov 2006 Sofia News Agency - www.novinite.com USD 1.495510 [ width=] EUR 1.955830 [ width=] Sofia Morning News Photo by iaea.org Exclusive Interviews: 24 November 2006, Friday. Bulgaria-born Yanko Yanev heads the Nuclear Knowledge department in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He discussed the EU's hesitant stance on the closure of Units 3&4 of the Nuclear Power Plant in Kozloduy with Darik News' Miya Mihailova.* Q: How will you comment on EU's delay of the closure of Kozloduy NPP's Units 3&4? This brings the question of how we should react, for this is a delicate situation? A: I am currently in charge of Nuclear Knowledge in the IAEA, so I am probably one of the people's whose opinion on the matter is among the most stable. By that I mean that for me it isn't so important what the European Parliament decided yesterday, or how they would look at the issue. The more interesting issue is whether there is a just attitude towards the nuclear power in the world, in Bulgaria or in Europe. And if Kozloduy NPP or Units 3&4 are units that answer to certain requirements, the safety question should be discussed very carefully. What we know so far is that the units are no worse than a number of others that are currently operational. If this is true, and it is, than why would some be allowed to work and others not? This is where the whole problem lies. Why wouldn't the European Parliament agree with safety assessments? Because it isn't competent on the matter. They say it perfectly clearly: we cannot confirm the information because we are not competent on safety issues. There are certain agencies that deal with that and they have stated that Kozloduy NPP is equivalent to or no worse than the same generation plants operating in Spain or France or anywhere. Q: Would a new peer review help... A: While there are still plants from the same generation operating with comparable safety levels I believe that the attitude towards Bulgaria is pure apartheid. And this is what we should focus on. Why close some reactors and leave comparable ones working. Q: If this is the core of the issue, than what policy should Bulgaria follow? A: What policy should we follow? Well we have to follow the policy that any normal and logical person follows - we have to protect our interests and above all, keep the staff prepared at the highest level and the facility's technical condition impeccable. Somehow I don't like saying "we are completely safe". There are no such plants in the world. But we have to make sure everything a condition that would allow us to operate the plant without fears of any accidents. Right now, for example, the staff's behaviour and work in Kozloduy are probably scrutinized. This is why they should pool efforts to have everything at its best. Q: This is one side of the story. But when it comes to the new energy situation in Europe and on the Balkans, what is Bulgaria's cause there? A: The energy situation in Europe is the same as in many parts of the world. Energy consumption is rising and unfortunately, investments in new power sources and capacities are not so big, an issue that has been brought up by the IAEA in its last report. These investments are critically low and this creates worries in many countries. G-20's finance ministers met in Australia a couple of days ago, and finance ministers and foreign ministers also met in Brussels. The matter of energy security is one of the key problems of our time. And if there is any logic in closing down energy-producing facilities and depriving society of energy, and then spending money for closing those same facilities... I think that the Europeans, and the European voters have, after all, enough brains in their head to think. Why is it that politicians have to be the ones expressing the opinion of all the people in Europe. It seems they are happy with paying twice or thrice for something, which is senseless and unreasonable. I liked it a lot when the Finnish MEP said: how long would we have to sit here and pay attention to a stupid decision that has no logic - be it financial, economical or safety-related. This is where I see a problem. As a EU country, we shouldn't just support what has been said, but look for the logic and the reason in all this. *Translated by Petya Sabinova, Sofia News Agency. novinite.com All Rights Reserved © Novinite Ltd., 2001-2006 - Copyright Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily ***************************************************************** 43 News24: Nigeria to build nuclear plants Abuja - Nigeria plans to build nuclear power plants to meet a major part of the West African country's electricity demand by 2015, says a government minister. Information minister Frank Nweke said a meeting of the cabinet chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo set a target for the country to generate 40 000 megawatts of electricity within the next decade, with a significant part coming from nuclear energy. Nweke said: "To achieve this objective ... we must exploit other sources, particularly nuclear power as a major component, not just an option." Nigeria ran two nuclear research centres, one in the northern town of Zaria and another outside the capital, Abuja, set up under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear regulatory body. It had no nuclear power plant. Nigeria was Africa's leading oil and gas producer and the world's eight-biggest oil exporter, but remained a low electricity generator and consumer. The country ran on less than half of national capacity of 6 000 megawatts of electricity, with power cuts frequent and the electricity infrastructure ran down by years of corruption and mismanagement. Nweke said Nigeria couldn't rely on its natural gas, coal and hydroelectric resources alone to meet its energy requirements and wanted nuclear power to supplement them. Nweke said Nigeria had no ambition to acquire nuclear weapons and would comply with all international requirements for safe use of nuclear energy. ***************************************************************** 44 Research at MU: MU Research Reactor Submits 20-year License Renewal Application News & Press Releases Posted 11.24.06 Reactor marks 40 years of operation, is key to attracting nanoscience institute, renowned faculty COLUMBIA, MO - The University of Missouri-Columbia has submitted a 20-year license renewal application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). As it marks its 40-year anniversary, MURR has become a major attractor of renowned faculty as well as cutting-edge research. Reactor officials and scientists continue to develop new drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, new ways to analyze materials and artifacts, and new methods for improving scientists' understanding of matter and energy. "The University's research reactor is a vital part of our research mission and has helped create cancer drugs that are benefiting all Missourians and the nation," said , vice chancellor for . "It is important that we complete this license renewal process and address any questions the public or NRC may raise in order to continue to provide essential products and services to the research community. Students, faculty and staff all benefit from the presence of the reactor on campus. For example, we are breaking ground on a new International Institute for Nano and Molecular Medicine, which could have great implications in the fight against cancer and other diseases. Without the reactor, that Institute and its director, Fred Hawthorne, would not be here." Hawthorne, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, came to MU specifically to lead the research teams at the International Center for Nano and Molecular Medicine. Hawthorne was attracted to MU because of its combination of a a , a , an , a and the Research Reactor. Scientists at the Institute will study radiology, hematology--the study of blood--and cancer. The new Institute is being built across the street from the reactor. MURR-based research includes such disciplines as and , , (, , and ), , materials science, medical and life sciences, nanomedicine, , and veterinary medicine. The MURR Center supports the research of hundreds of faculty and students in dozens of disciplines and provides products and services that directly benefit Missouri citizens, as well as others in universities, industries and agencies nationwide and worldwide. The NRC allows operating licenses to be renewed for as long as 20 years. The NRC review process examines all aspects of safety for the continued operation of the reactor, and also examines the environmental aspects of continued operation. "It's very important that we engage the public during this license renewal process," said Ralph Butler, director of MURR. "There will be several opportunities for the public to ask questions about any issue related to MURR, as well as make any comments about the reactor." The NRC will give members of the public the opportunity to request a hearing on the application. Once the NRC makes the announcement, a notice of opportunity to request a hearing will appear in the Federal Register. All of the information associated with the application is public with the exception of information withheld because of security considerations. MURR started operations Oct. 11, 1966, and, at 10 megawatts, is the largest university operated research reactor in the country. MURR is the United States' sole supplier of the active ingredients in two FDA-approved radiopharmaceuticals that enable the treatment of hundreds of cancer patients each week. MURR also provides a routine supply of new radioisotopes used by researchers in developing innovative techniques for the diagnosis and cure of cancer and other diseases. -30- MU News Bureau: © 2006 Curators of the University of Missouri. ***************************************************************** 45 Sydney Morning Herald: Nuclear costs just a drop in ocean - Environment - www.smh.com.au Coal from Newcastle … ships wait to collect coal this week as a government taskforce handed down its report on a nuclear alternative to coal-fired power stations. Photo: Simone Depeak Wendy Frew Environment Reporter November 23, 2006 THE full cost of adopting nuclear power in Australia would probably be several hundred billion dollars and would be likely to go even higher because of a history of cost blow-outs in plant construction, decommissioning and waste storage, energy experts say. Not only was there no guarantee costs and construction timetables for the latest-model nuclear plants could be controlled, other costs associated with the industry would probably be passed from industry to taxpayers, and from current to future generations, they said. The $75 billion figure estimated by a Federal Government-commissioned report released on Tuesday covered only the construction of 25 nuclear power plants. The nuclear industry was shocked last month by news the first reactor being built in Western Europe for two decades, at Olkiluoto in Finland, was running well over budget and causing financial losses for the French builder, Areva. "It is hard to conceive that the Australian industry as a total newcomer to nuclear power would do better than the largest and most experienced builders in the world, and these builders struggle getting one large project off the ground," said Mycle Schneider, a French consultant on energy and nuclear policy. Estimated costs for the eventual decommissioning of nuclear reactors have also blown out and there was little experience of how much it costs to dispose of the highly radioactive waste from a nuclear reactor, said Professor Steve Thomas, of the University of Greenwich in Britain. "Even before there is actual experience of these operations, estimates are going up rapidly and, for example, the estimated cost of decommissioning Britain's oldest reactors has gone up by a factor of about six in only 15 years," Professor Thomas said. "This could create huge problems for a plant owner that has taken money from consumers to pay for these operations, only to find halfway through the life of the plant that the cost is dramatically higher than predicted," he said. In June, the British Government said the cost of cleaning up 20 nuclear facilities had risen to £90 billion ($220 billion), up from an estimated £70 billion in 2005. An Australia Institute analyst, Andrew Macintosh, said other costs for the Government included establishing an agency to regulate the nuclear sector. Based on annual operating costs for the federal environment department, that could cost between $30 million and $50 million a year, he said. It is also likely the Government would have to spend heavily on an advertising campaign to assure voters nuclear energy was safe, he said. Last year, the Howard Government allocated $55 million to advertise its industrial relations changes. The storage of radioactive waste would be another costly exercise. The US Government's plan to build a nuclear waste storage facility in the Nevada desert is expected to cost more than $US40 billion ($52 billion). Mr Macintosh said there could also be intangible costs such as damage to diplomatic relations with Asian neighbours worried about Australia's nuclear build-up. Copyright © 2006. The Sydney Morning Herald. ***************************************************************** 46 Sydney Morning Herald: Nuclear power not economic yet - Costello - www.smh.com.au November 23, 2006 - 2:24PM Treasurer Peter Costello says nuclear power does not currently make economic sense. A report released this week by the prime minister's nuclear taskforce found a network of 25 nuclear reactors built within kilometres of suburban homes could be supplying a third of Australia's power by 2050. But the states and territories say they will fight any federal move to impose nuclear facilities on them. Mr Costello said on Thursday it was important the governments had all the facts on the table before making a decision. "I think we ought to have a genuine and open and honest debate," Mr Costello told reporters in Brisbane. "I'm certainly interested at looking at the economics of it, because one of the things that (the report) says is at the moment the economics of nuclear power don't stack up. "So I'm really quite keen to get the information before making the final decisions." Mr Costello said the issue of carbon trading should be seen as separate to the debate on nuclear power. "I don't think the arguments for and against carbon trading should be decided on the basis of trying to make nuclear power competitive or not competitive," Mr Costello said. "I think that stands on its own and that's another issue which we are also facing up to at the moment." © 2006 AAP Brought to you by [aap] Sydney Morning Herald. ***************************************************************** 47 Sydney Morning Herald: Green groups concerned by nuclear move - www.smh.com.au November 24, 2006 - 6:41PM Green groups will meet in Brisbane this weekend to discuss their concerns about proposals for nuclear power in Australia. Former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski this week released a landmark report on the possible future of the nuclear energy industry in Australia, concluding 25 nuclear reactors could produce a third of the country's electricity by 2050. The Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance will host a series of workshops on the dangers of nuclear power and the need for alternative energy solutions. Friends of the Earth campaigner Robin Taubenfeld said the federal government was promoting nuclear power as a clean and safe option, but it wasn't the answer. "There is a big push from the government and the industry to present nuclear power as clean and green and a solution to climate change," said Ms Taubenfeld. "The government has been successful in tricking people into thinking nuclear power has something to do with solving the climate problem and (it) has no place at all." Ms Taubenfeld said a number of risk factors associated with nuclear power included the radioactive waste produced. "Beyond the risk to workers' health and safety, and community and environment health and safety there is the risk that all nuclear material, mined in Australia ... (for) nuclear power ... could equally go to nuclear weapons," she said. "The safeguards are not in place." Ms Taubenfeld said a greater investment in renewable energy sources was needed. "What the government really should be doing is investing in long-term energy solutions and that has nothing to do with nuclear power," she said. © 2006 AAP Copyright © 2006. The Sydney Morning Herald. Vladimir Putinover his murder from beyond the grave. As the affair threatened to escalate politically, health officials said a "large quantity" of radiation probably from polonium 210 had been found in Litvinenko's urine, while checks were made on people who had contact with him. Later in the day, the British government confirmed it had formally asked Moscow for any information it had on Litvinenko, a critic of the Kremlin who moved to Britain six years ago. "The ambassador was asked to convey to the authorities in Moscow a request to provide any information they might have which would assist the police with their inquiries," a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said. Litvinenko, who first fell ill after going to the hotel and restaurant, accused Putin of direct involvement, according to a letter his friend and spokesman said he wrote on his death bed and which was read Friday. "You succeeded in silencing one man, but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life," he is said to have written on Tuesday as his life slipped away. The letter, read to a media scrum on the steps of University College Hospital London where he died, said of Putin: "You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed." Putin immediately condemned what he called the use of the Kremlin critic's death late Thursday for political purposes. "Unfortunately tragic events like the death are (being) used for political provocations," the Russian leader told a news conference at an EU-Russia summit in Helsinki. Confirmation that Litvinenko had apparently been poisoned with radioactive material came after the British government said police in London had drafted in experts to look for radioactive elements at a number of locations. The Cabinet Office also confirmed that Britain's secret COBRA committee of high-ranking ministers and police plus domestic and overseas intelligence chiefs met Friday to discuss the case. Meanwhile, doctors were assessing the risk to doctors and nurses at the two hospitals which treated Litvinenko before his death. Health Protection Agency (HPA) chief Professor Pat Troop told a central London news conference the fact that "someone has apparently been deliberately poisoned by a type of radiation" was an "unprecedented event" in Britain. HPA official Professor Roger Cox said staff who came into contact with Litvinenko at the two hospitals where he was treated were being monitored. Police later revealed that traces of polonium 210, which is extremely toxic and highly radioactive, has been found at a central London hotel and sushi restaurant he visited on November 1, as well as at his north London home. Physical contact with Litvinenko himself would not pose any risks but the dangers increased when there was contact with excretia from the body such as urine, faeces and to a lesser extent sweat, Cox said. But that risk was "insignificant", he added. Polonium -- discovered by the physicist Marie Curie in 1888 and named after her homeland Poland -- is more radioactive than radium; it requires careful handling and is extremely toxic in microsopic doses when ingested or inhaled. It can cause irreversible damage to kidneys, liver and spleen. Litvinenko's coterie of supporters and friends -- many of them exiled Russians hostile to Putin -- have accused Moscow of involvement in his death because of the former secret serviceman's criticisms of the Kremlin. In his book "Blowing Up Russia: Terror from Within", Litvinenko alleged secret services set up the 1999 apartment block bombings which triggered the second Chechen war and propelled the then-little known Putin to power. He was also investigating the death of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a critic of her country's involvement in Chechnya" /> Chechnyawho was shot at her central Moscow apartment building on October 7. The Russian -- pictured last week as bald, gaunt and clearly weak in a green hospital gown -- thanked medical staff, police and the British government "for taking me under their care," adding: "I am honoured to be a British citizen." Goldfarb said arrangements for Litvinenko's funeral had yet to be decided. Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. ***************************************************************** 89 ICT: Navajo Nation battles yellow 'monster' [2006/11/23] by: Editors Report / Indian Country Today These days we speak of weapons of mass destruction without truly considering the historical weight of those words. The phrase is bandied about by talking heads without an ounce of emotion or regret. That the United States is trying to halt the proliferation of nuclear programs for the sake of preventing mass casualties by terrorist attack, while maneuvering constantly to maintain its status as a world superpower, is ironic. The earthly material used to transform the United States into the world's most powerful political and military force, uranium, has proven just as massively destructive as the nuclear weapons it spawned. A new book, ''The Navajo People and Uranium Mining,'' edited by Doug Brugge, Timothy Benally and Esther Yazzie-Lewis, is the documented history of the forgotten victims of America's Cold War, according to Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. Generations of indigenous people living and breathing on Navajo land have suffered the deadly effects of uranium mining, without compassion or just compensation from the federal government. Shirley described the uranium mining era as genocide. ''There is no other word for what happened to Navajo uranium miners,'' he said. Leetso, ''yellow dirt'' in Dine', is found throughout Navajoland. A map of mining areas shows a dozen mines in Navajo alone, and a few others in the vast outlying territory. As in countless stories of the exploitation of indigenous resources, the Navajo and Hopi people were the last to know the true effects of their mining efforts. The Dine' are people with the utmost respect for the ground on which they live. The world's largest deep uranium mine is at the foot of Tsoodzil, the Navajo sacred mountain of the south. Imagine the spiritual loss for a people whose ancient ways tell them it is disrespectful to dig into the Earth with steel tools or machinery. The miners themselves suffered often fatal radiation-related diseases and dangerous threats to their way of life as Dine'. These are the primary handlers of the uranium; countless secondary victims live today in communities wasted by invisible radiation exposure that runs deadly through families, hogans and playgrounds. Even the wind itself blows radioactive dust throughout the land. The result, lamented Shirley, has ''cost the Navajo Nation the accumulated wisdom, knowledge, stories, songs and ceremonies of hundreds of our people.'' Victims of radiation poisoning and their descendants have received very little federal compensation. The 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was initially drafted to address concerns of non-Native miners. They received some 80 percent of $300 million. Native miners and their families received 12 percent, or roughly $4 million. A quick look at the RECA compensation guidelines gives one the scope of the physical effects of radiation exposure. Eligible claimants can be compensated for leukemia, lymphomas and chronic renal disease, as well as a host of ''primary'' cancers affecting the brain, thyroid, lung, colon and ovary, among many others. The guidelines provide for ''compassionate'' compensation, to exact dollar amounts, for eligible claimants. Many Navajo claims were denied, deemed ineligible for failure to produce a birth date or birth certificate. According to Navajo Nation communications, Shirley acknowledged this bureaucratic challenge at an update in September. He told the elderly miners, ''Many of you were born at home in a hogan and didn't receive a piece of paper with this information on it. Our mothers gave birth to us holding on to a sash belt and we remember a specific season, not a date and time.'' Again, we find Indian people faced with somewhat irrelevant questions of citizenship and worthiness in their search for justice and restitution. Whatever compensation is provided by RECA, it will never amend the destruction caused to the fabric of Navajo lifeways. Death and disease can be documented; social collapse over the course of generations is more difficult to record. The discovery and mining of uranium produced more than atomic energy for the power-hungry United States. Boomtowns rose out of sacred lands, creating an entirely new socioeconomic dynamic that was alien to the traditional Navajo way of life. The mining industry has polluted bodies and minds, water and soil. There has been no just compensation for Indian peoples affected by leetso. These issues became a priority when the Navajo Nation Council passed the Dine' Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005. This law prohibits uranium mining and processing throughout Navajo country. However, there is a looming threat to Navajo sovereignty, as the market price for uranium has taken a sharp upward turn in the last two years amid widespread talk of alternative energy production. Already speculators are seeking state and federal permission to reopen mines that, although government-controlled, are situated on Navajo territory. Avoiding ''a repeat of one of the most sorrowful periods in the Navajo Nation's history'' will be the focus of its Indigenous World Uranium Summit. The nation expects international guests, other Indian tribes and federal legislators at the gathering, which begins Nov. 30 in Window Rock, Ariz. Speaking in holistic terms about their effort to prevent future uranium mining, the Navajo have on their agenda a range of topics from the legacy of mining, community health studies and traditional cultural teachings, to market forces affecting the new uranium boom and sustainable development of alternative energy sources. The Navajo grass-roots campaign to stop uranium mining has reached the height of a world summit. Exploitation of indigenous resources and the destruction of people and communities can no longer be considered collateral damage by those seeking enriching economic opportunities. We commend the Navajo Nation for telling its story so effectively, and for its resolve in keeping its future generations safe from harm. © 1998 - 2006 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved  ***************************************************************** 90 Reuters: Polonium - deadly, hard to make and rare poison Fri 24 Nov 2006 1:41 PM ET By Patricia Reaney LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Polonium 210, the highly toxic radioactive isotope found in the body of poisoned former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko is a very rare, exotic material that is difficult to obtain, scientists said on Friday. Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said Litvinenko, who died on Thursday in a London hospital, had a significant amount of the radioactive isotope in his body. But how it got there and where it came from is a mystery. Although the by-product of uranium that was discovered by Polish chemist Marie Sklodowska Curie in 1898 is found in small amounts in the environment, most of it is made synthetically. Radiation and chemistry experts say large-scale equipment, such as a nuclear reactor, would be needed to produce sufficient amounts to cause death. "It is not as simple as the idea that somebody might have broken into a radioactivity cabinet at some local hospital and walked off with some polonium," Dr Andrea Sella, a lecturer in chemistry at University College London, told Reuters. "You can't make this at home. This is in a different league," he added. Although scientists would not speculate on the source of the polonium, Sella said Litvinenko's death was not the work of amateurs. "This is not some random killing. This is not a tool chosen by a group of amateurs. These people had some serious resources behind them," he said. Polonium-210 is a solid that can be dissolved in a solution. It is not a radiation hazard unless it is absorbed by the body by inhaling, eating or drinking it or if it gets in a wound, according to the HPA. "It decays mainly by emitting alpha particles, which are unable to penetrate a sheet of paper and so it is not a hazard unless ingested, said Professor William Gelletly of the University of Surrey. If radiation is going to be dangerous it has to be absorbed by the body. Long-term exposure to radiation can cause mutations and cancer. But exposure to a short, intense burst of radiation causes major damage to key control centres in cells. Alpha particles emitted by polonium are absorbed very quickly by the body. "An alpha particle strikes a strand of DNA. It snips it in two, which is bad news, or glues two strands together. Either way normal cell repair mechanisms may be unable to sort that out," said Sella. "The result is that essentially the cellular command and control network (in the body) falls apart. That is what radiation sickness is all about," he added. Professor David Ray, of the University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, said even if a high dose of radiation could not be detected externally after Litvinenko was admitted to hospital, it is still possible that a fatal dose could have concentrated in deep tissues such as bone marrow. "The limited information that has been released about Mr. Litvinenko's condition and the timing of his death is consistent with either radiation poisoning or chemicals that stop cell division," he said. Polonium-210 also has a very short half-life. The longer the half life the less radioactivity is emitted from the material. "Polonium 210 has a half-life of 138 days. That is long enough so you can handle it and deliver it to your target and it will pack punch. A smallish amount of material will pack a significant punch," Sella said. © Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved. [ border=] ***************************************************************** 91 KRQE News 13: Court backs uranium groundwater rules Posted: 11/23/2006 6:18:00 PM Source: AP SANTA FE -- A state regulatory decision to impose a more stringent health standard for uranium in groundwater has been upheld by the state Court of Appeals. The New Mexico Water Quality Commission adopted the new standard in 2004, and the mining industry went to court to challenge the decision. In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, the Court of Appeals concluded the commission followed state law in changing the standard and that "credible scientific data existed in the record to support its action." The New Mexico Mining Association contended the standard was unattainable for cleaning up groundwater at uranium mines and mills. There are no uranium mines currently operating in New Mexico, but in the 1970s there were more than 50 in the state. However, there's a potential the industry could be revived because of rising uranium prices. Content Guide KRQE News 13 | KBIM News 10 | KREZ News 6 | KRQE.com| KBIMtv.com| KREZtv.com - ***************************************************************** 92 Guardian Unlimited: Poisoned Spy Blames Putin for His Death From the Associated Press [UP] Friday November 24, 2006 10:46 PM AP Photo LLP114 By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press Writer LONDON (AP) - A rare radioactive substance killed an ex-KGB spy turned Kremlin critic, the British government said Friday. In a dramatic statement written before he died, the man called Russian President Vladimir Putin ``barbaric and ruthless'' and blamed him personally for the poisoning. Putin, in Finland, offered his condolences for the death of Alexander Litvinenko and denied any involvement. He called the release of the deathbed statement a ``political provocation'' by his opponents. Litvinenko died late Thursday at a London hospital after spending days in intensive care as doctors puzzled over what was causing his organs to fail and attacking his bone marrow and destroying his immune system. Britain's Health Protection Agency said Friday that the radioactive element polonium-210 had been found in his urine, and the police said traces of radiation were found at Litvinenko's home and a ritzy hotel bar and sushi restaurant he visited on the day he became ill. Police said they were treating the case as an ``unexplained death'' - but not yet as a murder. The 43-year-old Litvinenko, who fiercely criticized Putin's government from his refuge in London since 2000, told police he believed he was poisoned Nov. 1 while investigating the October slaying of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of Putin. Litvinenko's statement, read by his friend Alex Goldfarb to reporters outside the hospital, put the blame for his death squarely on Putin. He accused Putin of having ``no respect for life, liberty or any civilized value.'' ``You may succeed in silencing me but that silence comes at a price. You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed,'' the statement said. ``You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life.'' Goldfarb said Litvinenko dictated the statement before he lost consciousness Tuesday, and signed it in the presence of his wife, Marina. Putin strongly denied involvement by his government. ``A death of a man is always a tragedy and I deplore this,'' the Russian leader said when asked about Litvinenko during a news conference after a meeting with European Union leaders. Putin said the fact that Litvinenko's statement was released only after his death showed it was a provocation. ``It's extremely regrettable that such a tragic event as death is being used for political provocation,'' he said. At a meeting Friday with Russian Ambassador Yury Fedotov at London's Foreign Office, British diplomats asked Moscow to provide all assistance necessary to a police inquiry into the death, government officials said. Putin pledged to cooperate. Home Secretary John Reid convened the British government's crisis committee Friday to discuss the death, a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said. Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street office said he was in Scotland and did not attend. In Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the United States has sought information on the case from British authorities. ``We have been told that they have no definitive conclusions and that they are conducting an investigation,'' Casey said. The Health Protection Agency described poisoning with polonium-210 as ``an unprecedented event.'' ``I've been in radiation sciences for 30-odd years and I'm not aware of any such incident,'' said Roger Cox, director of the agency's center for radiation, chemicals and environmental hazards. The agency's chief executive, Pat Troop, said the high level of polonium-210 indicated Litvinenko ``would either have to have eaten it, inhaled it or taken it in through a wound.'' Troop said the agency was evaluating whether it was safe to perform an autopsy. Peter Clarke, head of London's anti-terrorist police, said officers and military radiation experts were searching several locations in London. A police statement later said at least five locations were being checked, but did not identify two of them. Traces of radiation had been found at Litvinenko's north London house, the sushi restaurant where he met a contact Nov. 1 and a hotel he visited earlier that day, Clarke said. The restaurant and part of the hotel were closed, with officers removing materials in heavy metal boxes. Clarke said extensive tests by forensic toxicologists on behalf of police - which began before Litvinenko's death - had on Friday confirmed the presence of polonium-210. ``There is no risk to the public unless they came into close contact with the men or their meals,'' said Katherine Lewis, a spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency. Experts said small amounts of polonium-210 - but not enough to kill someone - are used legitimately in Britain and elsewhere for industrial purposes. Professor Dudley Goodhead, a radiation expert at the Medical Research Council, said that ``to poison someone, much larger amounts are required and this would have to be manmade, perhaps from a particle accelerator or a nuclear reactor.'' Chris Lloyd, a British radiation protection adviser, said it would be relatively easy to smuggle polonium into the country, because its alpha radiation would not set off radiation detectors. Doctors treating Litvinenko had said Thursday that they could not explain his rapid decline. They discounted earlier theories that the father of three had been poisoned with the toxic metal thallium. Lewis, the Health Protection Agency spokeswoman, said doctors had not discovered the presence of polonium-210 in Litvinenko earlier because hospitals do not normally test for the alpha-ray radiation it emits. University College Hospital, where Litvinenko died, said Friday it could not comment further because the case was being investigated by police. Litvinenko's friends had little doubt about who was to blame - Putin's regime. They said the former spy, who sought asylum in Britain in 2000 and became a citizen, worked tirelessly to uncover corruption in Russia's Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB, and unmask Politkovskaya's killers. Litvinenko had worked for the KGB and then the Federal Security Service until he publicly accused his superiors in 1998 of ordering him to kill Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky. He spent nine months in jail on charges of abuse of office, but was later acquitted and moved to Britain. In Moscow, pro-Kremlin legislators pointed at Berezovsky, who amassed a fortune in dubious privatization deals after the 1991 Soviet collapse but fled to London after falling out of favor with Putin. He has been a persistent critic of Putin and worked with Litvinenko. Lawmakers questioned whether the two critics had a falling out and argued the Kremlin had nothing to gain from Litvinenko's death. ``I think this is another game of some kind by Berezovsky,'' Valery Dyatlenko said on Channel One. Litvinenko's father, Walter, said his son ``fought this regime, and this regime got him.'' ``It was an excruciating death and he was taking it as a real man,'' Walter Litvinenko told reporters outside the hospital, his voice choked with emotion. Goldfarb said the attack bore ``all the hallmarks of a very professional, sophisticated and specialist operation.'' Another friend, Andrei Nekrasov, said Litvinenko told him: ``The bastards got me, but they won't get everybody.'' --- Associated Press writer Maria Cheng contributed to this report. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 93 AU ABC: Switkowski task force to get Indigenous cancer report, co-author says Friday, 24 November 2006, 16:06:53 AEDT The co-author of a report on Indigenous cancer rates in the Northern Territory's Kakadu region has hit back at a federal research body for trying to disassociate itself from the study. The discussion paper says that people living in the area have a 90 per cent higher rate of cancer than would be expected for Aboriginal people in other parts of the Territory. The Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders Studies (IATSIS) has issued a statement saying it did not commission the research. But Colin Tatz from Macquarie University says the institute was supposed to put the report on its website last week. He says the institute was also expected to hand it over to the national uranium inquiry. "The institute has assured me that this is now going to go forward as a submission, a formal submission with the institute's backing, to Dr Ziggy Switkowski's task force," he said. "He's asked for public reactions to his draft report on the nuclear industry, this is going as a formal submission." ***************************************************************** 94 New London Day: NRC To Replenish Potassium Iodide To Millstone Neighbors theday.com Published on 11/23/2006 in Region » Region Briefs The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will replenish the supply of potassium iodide to residents within 10 miles of Millstone Power Station in Waterford. When taken orally, the tablets help protect the thyroid in the event of a severe radiation release. According to a letter requesting the refill from Deborah Ferrari, an official with Connecticut's Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the pills distributed about four years ago are set to expire soon. They were distributed as an extra measure of protection for residents around the country living in the vicinity of nuclear reactors. The NRC said in a written notice to states in September that the replenishing of the pills is a one-time action that will not be renewed in the future. Further supplies should be available next spring, the NRC said. New London, CT | © 1998-2006 The Day Publishing Co. [Beacon Locator] ~ 01 ~ ***************************************************************** 95 TownOnline.com: Town may buy Shpack homes Norton Mirror By Meredith Holford/ Staff Writer Friday, November 24, 2006 It might be cheaper for the town in the long run to negotiate the purchase of two homes on Union Street near the contaminated Shpack landfill than connect them to town water, selectmen Chairman Robert Kimball told the board last week. The homes have private wells, and the town and consultants are concerned their water may be contaminated as work on the cleanup continues. Kimball told the board at its Nov. 16 meeting he had been calculating the cost to the town of running the lines to the homes, but he had a further worry. "If you put in lines, people will be tempted to build homes out there," he said. "We don't want to see that until the site is cleaned up - water will encourage development." Town Manager James Purcell gave a thumbnail sketch of the six-year-old tug of war between the town, the environmental agencies and the original polluters of the pre-World War II dump that straddles the town line between Norton and Attleboro to the audience, consisting of Boy Scouts from Troop 61 working on their communications badge. "It's been a monumental effort to engage the state and federal agencies to clean it up," Purcell said. Kimball said if the acquisition of the homes were to be worked out, the so-called PRPs, or principal responsible parties, would do the actual negotiating for the purchase. He said at least one of the homeowners has indicated the desire to move out of the area. Attleboro had proposed that Norton run the water line from their end, instead of from the Attleboro line. Kimball said he had attended the recent airing of current cleanup plans at the Solmonese School, conducted by representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, and gave selectmen two letters to sign. The first, to Melissa Taylor, the project engineer for the EPA, concerned the water line problem, the second, to Gary Moran of the Department of Environmental Protection, was in reference to the proposed capping of the landfill with some 72,000 cubic yards of fill. "The message was not clear about what was happening," Kimball said. Work on the site has been stalled, but will begin again in the summer. Tests of the site revealed the radioactive contamination was three times higher than anticipated, and the cleanup plans had to be readjusted accordingly. Removal of toxic chemicals and removal of radioactive wastes require very different techniques and are conducted by different agencies. Negotiations with 11 of the 17 parties believed responsible for chemical waste contamination are continuing, and are not expected to be finalized by the time the cleanup resumes. © Copyright of GateHouse Media and Herald Interactive, Inc ***************************************************************** 96 Prague Post: Waste not Uncertainty over nuclear storage lingers as officials point to a new atomic age By Paul Voosen Staff Writer, The Prague Post November 22nd, 2006 DUKOVANY, SOUTH BOHEMIA There are 600 metric tons (661.4 short tons) of highly radioactive uranium and plutonium stored in a high-security warehouse on the grounds of a nuclear power plant here. Bonded in ceramic and stored under pressurized helium in cylinders, this spent fuel from the Dukovany plant's four 20-year-old reactors, still gives off enough heat to make you sweat. The warehouse is full now. Beginning next month, the plant will begin storing its spent fuel in a new adjacent facility, with room to hold 1,340 metric tons, enough space to fulfill the plant's storage needs until its projected decommissioning in 2025. What happens to the waste after that is another matter. As Czech officials speak of the dawning of a new nuclear age, the fact remains that the future of long-term nuclear waste storage is uncertain. The government's plans to build a deep geological repository for radioactive waste currently are stalled in a self-imposed six-year moratorium, which will end in 2009. Ongoing public protests in towns identified as potential storage sites portend a tough sell for officials after that. By the Numbers 13 billion kWh/year: Dukovany's energy production, yielding 71.7 metric tons (79 short tons) of waste each year 47 billion K : Estimated cost of a deep geological repository in 1999 500 meters: Projected depth of a repository 6 sites: Potential locations for a repository — Lubenec-Blatno, north Bohemia; Pa ejov, west Bohemia; Bo~ejovice-Vlksice, Budiaov, Pluhov }ár-LodhéYov and Rohozná, south Bohemia The state is now courting these towns, hoping to find one willing to one day offer the country's waste a home. "We will have to rely on nuclear energy in the future," said Vítzslav Duda, managing director of the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (SÚRAO). "We're trying to find a way to compromise with the public." That compromise needs to happen, analysts say; the Czech nuclear power industry is in great flux right now. Uranium prices are rising, as is interest in reusing spent nuclear fuel. Government officials and state-owned energy utility companies are hinting at future construction of more nuclear plants. Deeper underground The government's ultimate plan for its nuclear waste is tied to the construction of a deep geological repository within the granite massif that underlies much of the country. It is scheduled to open by 2065. Planning and conceptual design of the site began in the 1990s, with six potential sites, all in Bohemia, announced in 2003. This led to a few problems, Duda said. "The public didn't welcome it," he said. "With strong opposition, we decided to postpone any further development of the repository until 2009." Duda's office has not changed its preference to locate the repository in one of the six sites previously selected, and is now reaching out to the towns near these sites by holding meetings, distributing information and talking with mayors. Duda said he also expects that the town chosen will receive an annual financial compensation much larger than the 1.5 million K ($68,300) it gives to towns storing low-level waste. He and other experts attribute public resistance to an ignorance of the true risks and benefits of a repository. "There is now a very strong consensus with no dissenting views from experts" that geological repositories are the best solution for waste storage, said Derek Taylor, nuclear energy adviser to the European Commission. Finland and Sweden are both actively constructing such facilities, he said, and other countries with nuclear power are expected to follow suit. There is no current European Union legislation on the issue. "It's pretty simple," said JiYí DvoYák, mayor of LodhéYov, South Bohemia, a town near one potential site. "We held a local referendum and 99.72 percent of our citizens voted against storage. We said no to the idea and will not change our position." If a repository were built below the town, he said, "It'd be like sitting on a time bomb." Frantiaek Venkrbec, mayor of Rohozná, South Bohemia, another potential host, was more conciliatory. A previous administration resolutely rejected a repository, he said. But his office is more open to the repository after going on trips to Germany, Switzerland and Sweden with SÚRAO to learn more about the field. "It is all about information," he said. By 2010, the Czech Republic will no longer be an energy exporter, and soon after, as the decommissioning dates approach for many domestic coal plants, the country will face an energy shortage, according to EZ. Coal provides 40 percent of the country's power and nuclear energy 31 percent. To tackle this shortage, Czechs have several options, said Jaroslav Vl ek, deputy director of the Dukovany plant. These include importing energy (like Hungary currently does), building new coal plants or constructing new nuclear power plants. If the country goes the third route, he said, EZ should begin making plans by no later than 2008. New reactors would first be built at Temelín, which has the infrastructure to support two more reactors, EZ officials said. In September, Industry and Trade Minister Martin Xíman stumped for new reactors at Temelín. The following month, President Václav Klaus came out strongly in support of nuclear energy at an informal EU summit in Finland, and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek publicly supported construction of a new power plant, but not until after Dukovany's decommissioning. According to EZ officials, with proper modernization, Dukovany can remain open until 2035 or 2045. — Petr Kaapar contributed to this report. Paul Voosen can be reached at pvoosen@praguepost.com The Prague Post Online ***************************************************************** 97 reviewjournal.com: Nuke dump Opinion - LETTERS: Solve water problem with a grain of salt Nov. 24, 2006 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal To the editor: In regard to Mike Baughman's Oct. 17 letter headlined "Yucca politics": In the years Mr. Baughman has worked for the Lincoln County Nuclear Waste Oversight Program, he has never objected to transporting nuclear waste through Caliente by either train or truck. That is because Caliente Mayor Kevin Phillips is in charge of the program, and he wants the jobs and money from the Caliente route to Yucca Mountain. If the Department of Energy should choose the Mina route, Mr. Baughman will not receive further funding and he will be out of a job. Mr. Baughman has made nearly $2 million already from federal funds, money that belongs to the citizens of Lincoln County. Mr. Baughman is also a member of the Central Nevada Protection Working Group, which is an organization that is working diligently to get a Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository licensed. Mr. Baughman is also president and owner of Intertech Services Corp., based in Carson City. He is also a registered Nevada lobbyist. As can be seen, Mr. Baughman is not merely a concerned citizen writing to the editor. I do not want the Mina route, the Caliente route (where I live), or any other route for transporting nuclear waste to Nevada. There is no safe way to transport nuclear waste through 43 states to Yucca Mountain. If Mike Baughman truly cares about protecting the public, why doesn't he support the state of Nevada? MARGE DETRAZ CALIENTE THE WRITER IS CO-CHAIR OF THE LINCOLN COUNTY NUCLEAR OPPOSITION COMMITTEE. Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1997 - 2006 ***************************************************************** 98 Pahrump Valley Times: Guinn wants release of documents dmcmurdo@pvtimes.com. Nov. 22, 2006 MILLIONS OF PAPERS HAVE BEEN WITHHELD SINCE 2004 CARSON CITY -- A letter sent Tuesday by Gov. Kenny Guinn calls for U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to release millions of important documents related to DOE's plans to store nuclear waste in Nevada. Guinn strongly opposes DOE's plans to license and develop a high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Calling DOE's continuing refusal to make critically important licensing documents available to the State "needlessly punitive," Guinn asserted that "there is no justification for withholding public access to these documents now when the task of reviewing them is so overwhelming later." In the letter, Guinn refers to the fact that Edward Sproat, director of DOE's Office of Civilian Radioactive Management, has announced a June 30, 2008, date to submit a license Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for construction of a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. As a prerequisite, the department must certify to the NRC that its licensing support network (LSN) electronic data base of relevant licensing documents is complete and publicly accessible. This must be accomplished at least six months prior to DOE submitting an application, according to NRC's regulations. Sproat has scheduled the application for LSN certification of its documents for Dec. 21, 2007. As stated in the letter, the purpose of the LSN is to make these millions of documents related to the Yucca Mountain Project available electronically to all interested parties, beginning before DOE applies for a license. DOE's first effort to certify its LSN, on June 30, 2004, was set aside as insufficient by the NRC. The more than 1 million documents from DOE's original certification effort are currently publicly available on the LSN Web site maintained by the LSN Administrator. But since June 30, 2004, 2,123,265 additional documents have been turned over for processing. None of this information has been made public. "And Mr. Sprout estimates that approximately 6.8 million more documents will be placed on the LSN at the time of certification," Guinn wrote. "We are deeply concerned that the 2 million-plus documents provided since 2004, and subsequently indexed by the LSN administrator, under instruction by the department, have not been made publicly available on the LSN, and that the balance of the 6.8 million documents that the department will continue to provide to the LSN over the next 13 months will likewise not be made publicly available." Guinn noted that while the NRC's regulations appear to permit this, "The regulation's authors and those commenting during the rule-making did not contemplate a six-year gap between the secretary's 2002 site recommendation and congressional designation of the Yucca Mountain potential repository site, and the department's submission of a license application." The Nuclear Waste Policy Act calls for the license application to be made six months after congressional site designation. This did not occur, according to the governor. "Thus, we have faced a period of many years in which a large part of the department's repository plans at Yucca Mountain remain a mystery," Guinn said. DOE's design and operational approach have changed significantly since the site was recommended in 2002, according to the letter. To date, DOE has released only very limited information on these changes developed over these past three and a half years. The letter goes on to say that "the information is critical to advance public understanding" of the repository and that the LSN administrator, "literally with the flip of a switch, could make these additional 2 million-plus documents publicly available." The state has also been objecting for years to DOE's continued "embargo" of documents Nevada needs to review before DOE applies for a license to build the proposed dump, said Bob Loux, executive director of Nevada's Agency for Nuclear Projects. "DOE continues to hide this important information from Nevada," Loux said. "As Gov. Guinn said today, these documents need to be made public as soon as possible to give Nevadans, and all Americans, time to review this massive amount of material. Withholding the material serves no purpose other than intentionally impeding Nevada's ability to prepare for a licensing proceeding." Guinn urged Bodman to lift the "embargo" on this information so it can be made public on the LSN Web site. To show good faith, the state has already placed all of its documents on the LSN site and will continue to make new documents available to the public on an ongoing basis. For comment or questions, please e-mail webmaster@pahrumpvalleytimes.com Copyright © Pahrump Valley Times, 1997 - 2006 ***************************************************************** 99 Sydney Morning Herald: Uranium mine blamed for high Aboriginal cancer rate - www.smh.com.au Accused & the Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu National Park. Liz Minchin and Lindsay Murdoch November 23, 2006 CANCER cases among Aboriginal people living near Australia's biggest uranium mine appear to be almost double the expected rate, a study by the Federal Government's leading indigenous research body shows. The study also found there had been no monitoring in the past 20 years on the Ranger mine's impact on local indigenous health. Yet since 1981, there have been more than 120 spillages and leaks of contaminated water at the mine, located in the world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. The Herald believes the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies paper will be submitted to the Government's nuclear energy taskforce, led by Dr Ziggy Switkowski, which this week released a draft report backing the expansion of uranium mining. The study compared the number of Aboriginal people diagnosed with cancer in the Kakadu region with the cancer rate among all Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory from 1994 to 2003. It found the diagnosis rate was 90 per cent higher than expected, with 27 cases reported. While the study's authors stressed it was only a preliminary finding, they concluded the higher cancer rate was "a cause for serious concern and further investigation is clearly warranted". They also called for ongoing health monitoring for all indigenous communities living near current and proposed uranium mines, at a cost of $450,000 a year. Energy Resources of Australia, which operates Ranger, yesterday denied that people living in Jabiru and other communities near the mine were being exposed to abnormal levels of radiation. Last month ERA, which is majority-owned by mining giant Rio Tinto, announced it would extend the life of Ranger by six years to 2020, so it could extract an additional 11,000 tonnes of uranium from low-grade ore stockpiles. In 2003, a Senate committee found that regulation of the Ranger mine was "flawed, confusing and inadequate". Three years on, the Howard Government has still not responded to the committee's recommendations. Last night the traditional owners of the land backed the need for independent monitoring of the mining's health effects. A spokesman for the Mirarr people said that while the federal Office of the Supervising Scientist monitors the mine's environmental impacts, "scant attention has been paid to the health effects of this development". A spokeswoman for the federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, said the study's findings on cancer rates were "questionable". The Northern Territory health department's chief executive, Robert Griew, also said the report did not prove any link. "The excess cancers found are not typical of cancers caused by radiation but rather cover the range of cancers that reflect lifestyle issues such as smoking, diet and infection. © 2006. The Sydney Morning Herald. ***************************************************************** 100 Sydney Morning Herald: Toro has its future set on yellowcake November 23, 2006 - 12:59PM Uranium explorer Toro Energy Ltd says it is well placed to become a future yellowcake producer as interest in nuclear energy as a viable power source in Australia escalates. Chairman Dr Ian Gould told the company's annual general meeting the company was progressing purposefully along the path to future production. "In short, Toro Energy has to date progressed as planned and is now actively moving forward into a very favourable market for its commodity," Dr Gould told shareholders. "Since the company's float in March, the importance in the world energy mix has been further emphasised, as has the vulnerability of supply. "Community and political acceptance of nuclear energy internationally is growing, against a background of escalating carbon emissions." Toro offered 72 million shares at 25 cents each to raise $18 million through its initial public offering, receiving an overwhelming response with applications for $63 million worth of stock. The company was formed through the spin off of the South Australian uranium assets of copper-gold producer Oxiana Ltd and Minotaur Exploration Ltd. "Toro's objective is to become a producer in its own right, and hence will ensure that growth opportunities will actually add value in the form of uranium resources or advanced exploration targets, which can realistically lead to mine development opportunities," Dr Gould said. © 2006 AAP Sydney Morning Herald. ***************************************************************** 101 Sydney Morning Herald: Qld mining enjoying huge growth - survey - www.smh.com.au November 23, 2006 - 6:34PM Queensland's robust mining and energy sector is enjoying "remarkable growth" with employee pay packets rising 11 per cent in 2005-06, a survey has found. The survey of Queensland Resources Council (QRC) members found companies paid wages and salaries of $2.2 billion, compared with $1.98 billion in the previous financial year. QRC chief executive Michael Roche said there were also 700 job vacancies in the sector in Queensland, while nationwide it was estimated another 70,000 workers were needed by 2015. Mr Roche said that while the sector "was continuing along a path of remarkable growth, the rapid expansion phase of the past few years was showing signs of consolidating". "The so-called boom we experienced earlier this decade is being replaced by a ramp-up in long-term production capability, underwritten by a strong global economy and the growth of economies like China and India." QRC president John Pegler told the council's annual lunch in Brisbane direct employment in the sector had risen 42 per cent in 12 months, from 26,000 to 37,000 people. The sector also spent $6.2 billion on goods and services, he said. "2006 has been another good year for the Queensland resources sector," he said. Mr Pegler said the injury frequency rate in the state's mining industry had dropped to an all-time low of four injuries per million hours worked, compared with 25 a decade ago. He also told the luncheon it was important for the coal industry to "win" the climate change debate. The resource sector was committed to developing clean coal technology, he said. Despite Premier Peter Beattie's opposition to allowing nuclear power in Australia, Mr Pegler said debate on the issue should be held in the context of energy security for Australia and global energy demand. "The world will need a full array of energy sources including coal, nuclear, gas and renewables to keep pace with demand growth, particularly in the developing world," he said. "Australia has the world's largest reserves of uranium and we are the world's leading exporter of coal." © 2006 AAP Copyright © 2006. The Sydney Morning Herald. ***************************************************************** 102 India: Rediff: Uranium may heat up on Indian demand Gayatri Ramanathan in Mumbai November 25, 2006 04:46 IST The opening up of the Indian nuclear sector may push up the prices of uranium in the global spot markets. India will soon be able to fulfill its nuclear fuel requirement in the spot markets with the US Senate recently approving the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Treaty. India, with 15 nuclear reactors, currently mines around 230 mt of uranium. Nuclear power plants in the country run at a plant load factor of 65 per cent against an average of 85 per cent worldwide. With the free market in nuclear fuels becoming accessible, the country is poised to add a demand for 1,300 mt of uranium to a market already facing a tight supply situation, according to a study by the World Nuclear Association. "The market expectations are that additional consumption by the Indians, combined with the planned capacity addition by China and South Korea, could push the spot prices of uranium yellow cake up to $100 a pound from the present $62.50 a pound over the next couple of years. But, we expect the prices to settle down by 2015, when the capacity additions in uranium mining are also in place," said Craig Lindsay, president of Magnum Uranium, a Canadian uranium mining company, which is eyeing the Indian market for exports. He added that initially the Indian demand would be much smaller than the figure projected by the WNA. Prices of uranium in the spot markets have been rising over the past two years with the resurgence of the nuclear power industry in the US and Europe on the back of rising crude oil prices. From less than $10 a pound, prices are currently ruling at $62.50 a pound.  Sources in the Indian nuclear establishment, however, said the price rise will not affect the fuel cost for Indian power companies. "It will only go up by around 5 to 6 per cent," said a top official of the Nuclear Power Corporation. Lindsay pointed that by 2015, the number of reactors worldwide is expected to go up to 504 from the present 440. While the global requirement of uranium is around 180 mt, only 105 mt are mined, with the rest coming from the dismantled nuclear warheads of the erstwhile USSR and spent fuel of the existing reactors.  Of 20,000 warheads of the erstwhile USSR that were to be dismantled, 10,000 have already been dismantled and the fuel is sent to the US under a treaty between the US and Russia. Nearly 40 per cent of the US consumption of nuclear fuel comes from this source. Worldwide investments in uranium exploration and mining are expected to be in the range of $300-500 million. Of this, Canada is investing around $150 million in mining the ore from its deposits at Athabasca basin. Canada is estimated to have 9 per cent of the world reserves of uranium, while Australia has the largest reserves at 24 per cent, followed by Kazakhstan at 17 per cent. © 2006 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. ***************************************************************** 103 Guardian Unlimited: Nuclear Waste Dump Faces New Roadblocks From the Associated Press [UP] Friday November 24, 2006 7:31 PM AP Photo WX104 By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - When Congress targeted Nevada as the nation's nuclear waste dumping ground, the state didn't have the political power to say no. Twenty years later, the most ardent foe of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump is about to become Senate majority leader. Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid's new job, which gives him control over what legislation reaches the Senate floor, could deal a crippling blow to the already stumbling project. Among Reid's first acts after this month's election was to convene a conference call with home-state reporters to declare Yucca Mountain ``dead right now.'' ``It sure is different now than when I came (to the Senate) in 1986,'' the senator observed. The dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas is planned as the first national repository for radioactive waste. It's supposed to hold 77,000 tons of the material - from commercial power plants reactors and defense sites across the nation - for thousands of years. About 50,000 tons of the waste is now stored in temporary sites at 65 power plants in 31 states. Reid would leave all of it in place. Originally targeted to open in 1998, Yucca Mountain has been repeatedly set back by lawsuits, money shortfalls and scientific controversies. The Energy Department's best-case opening date is now 2017. The effort to create a national storage site has already cost about $9 billion, $6.5 billion of which has been spent on Yucca. Four years ago, the Energy Department estimated the project would cost $58 billion to build and operate for the first 100 years. New cost projections are being worked up, and they are expected to total more than $70 billion. The department proposed legislation earlier this year meant to fix problems with the dump, which is a mounting liability to taxpayers because the government was contractually obligated to take nuclear waste off utilities' hands starting in 1998. Energy Department officials say at least one legislative change - formally withdrawing land around the dump site - is needed before construction can begin. Reid, however, pledged after the Nov. 7 election that not only will no bill to help Yucca Mountain reach the Senate floor under his leadership, funding for the project also will dry up quickly. Annual spending on the dump that has ranged between $450 million and $550 million in recent years ``will be cut back significantly, that will be for sure,'' he vowed. Reid said he couldn't single-handedly kill the dump outright, something that would require a vote of Congress and approval by President Bush. But he added: ``There's not much to kill.'' The project also is losing some of its most persistent supporters as Republicans relinquish control of Congress. Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M., has been a vocal advocate for years; he'll be replaced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who supports Yucca Mountain but is viewed by Nevada officials as more open to their viewpoints. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee with authority over some aspects of the project, is a vocal Yucca Mountain opponent. Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., worked unsuccessfully to corral opposition to the project in a crucial House vote four years ago, when she was minority whip. Administration and industry officials insist the changing of the guard on Capitol Hill won't be the death knell for the project. About 1,500 people in Nevada are now employed there. Yucca Mountain also has lured research grants to the University of Nevada, and even Reid aides say some spending should be maintained. ``I don't think the program's gone off the edge by any means,'' said David Blee, executive director the U.S. Transport Council, an industry group that works on nuclear waste transportation. ``It'll be more complicated and take a more creative approach, and more of an approach outside the (Washington) beltway.'' Supporters say they will now focus on submitting a required license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Energy Department wants to do that in 2008 and it's not dependent on congressional action, though severe budget cuts would be an impediment. Reid says putting the highly radioactive wastes in dry storage casks at power plants will keep it safe for 100 years or more. To industry officials and the Energy Department, that's no answer. ``Leaving everything where it is, is not a solution to the problem,'' said Edward F. ``Ward'' Sproat, director of the department's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Failure to pursue the Yucca project, Sproat said, ``is pushing the solution off to future generations, which is pretty much what's been happening with this program up until now.'' --- On the Net: State of Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects: http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/ Energy Department Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management: http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/ Sen. Harry Reid: http://reid.senate.gov/ Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006 ***************************************************************** 104 RGJ.com: Guinn urges DOE to release key documents related to licensing of Yucca Mountain Photo by Jaime Clanton CARSON CITY -- A letter sent Tuesday by Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn called for U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to release millions of important documents related to DOE's plans to store nuclear waste in Nevada. The plan calls for nuclear waste to be transported through Fallon to Yucca Mountain. Guinn strongly opposes DOE's plans to license and develop a high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Calling DOE's continuing refusal to make critically important licensing documents available to the State "needlessly punitive," Guinn asserted that "there is no justification for withholding public access to these documents now when the task of reviewing them is so overwhelming later." In the letter, Guinn refers to the fact that Edward Sproat, director of DOE's Office of Civilian Radioactive Management, has announced a June 30, 2008 date to submit a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for construction of a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. As a prerequisite, the Department must certify to the NRC that its Licensing Support Network (LSN) electronic database of relevant licensing documents is complete and publicly accessible. This must be accomplished at least six months prior to DOE submitting an application, according to NRC's regulations. Sproat has scheduled the application for LSN certification of its documents for Dec. 21, 2007. As stated in the letter, the purpose of the LSN is to make these millions of documents related to the Yucca Mountain Project available electronically to all interested parties, beginning before DOE applies for a license. DOE's first effort to certify its LSN, on June 30, 2004, was set aside as insufficient by the NRC. The more than 1 million documents from DOE's original certification effort are currently publicly available on the LSN Web site maintained by the LSN Administrator. But since June 30, 2004, 2,123,265 additional documents have been turned over to for processing. None of this information has been made public. "And Mr. Sprout estimates that approximately 6.8 million more documents will be placed on the LSN at the time of certification," Guinn wrote. "We are deeply concerned that the 2 million-plus documents provided since 2004, and subsequently indexed by the LSN administrator, under instruction by the department, have not been made publicly available on the LSN, and that the balance of the 6.8 million documents that the department will continue to provide to the LSN over the next 13 months will likewise not be made publicly available." Guinn noted that while the NRC's regulations appear to permit this, "the regulation's authors and those commenting during the rule-making did not contemplate a six-year gap between the secretary's 2002 site recommendation and Congressional designation of the Yucca Mountain potential repository site, and the department's submission of a license application." The Nuclear Waste Policy Act calls for the license application to be made six months after Congressional site designation. This obviously did not occur. "Thus, we have faced a period of many years in which a large part of the department's repository plans at Yucca Mountain remain a mystery," Guinn said. DOE's design and operational approach have changed significantly since the site was recommended in 2002, according to the letter. To date, DOE has released only very limited information on these changes developed over these past three and a half years. The letter goes on to say that "the information is critical to advance public understanding" of the repository and that the LSN administrator, "literally with the flip of a switch, could make these additional 2 million-plus documents publicly available." The state has also been objecting for years to DOE's continued "embargo" of documents Nevada needs to review before DOE applies for a license to build the proposed dump, said Bob Loux, executive director of Nevada's Agency for Nuclear Projects. "DOE continues to hide this important information from Nevada," Loux said. "As Gov. Guinn said today, these documents need to be made public as soon as possible to give Nevadans, and all Americans, time to review this massive amount of material. Guinn letter to DOE -- page 3 Withholding the material serves no purpose other than intentionally impeding Nevada's ability to prepare for a licensing proceeding." Guinn urged Bodman to lift the "embargo" on this information so it can be made public on the LSN Web site. To show good faith, the state has already placed all of its documents on the LSN site and will continue to make new documents available to the public on an ongoing basis. For the letter and more information on Nevada's opposition to the proposed nuclear waste dump, visit www.state.nv.us/nucwaste. Reno Gazette-Journal network: Sparks Today| Fallon Star Press| ***************************************************************** 105 NEWS.com.au: NT denies uranium mine to blame for cancer By Tara Ravens November 23, 2006 04:05pm Article from: AAP THE Northern Territory Government has rejected any link between Australia's largest uranium mine and higher levels of cancer among Aboriginal people living nearby. The disturbing findings are part of a preliminary discussion paper into the health affects of Energy Resources of Australia's (ERA) Ranger mine, which is surrounded by the world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. The NT Government says the cancers found in nearby Aboriginal communities are of the type caused by lifestyle and not radiation. However the Commonwealth's peak indigenous research body, which commissioned the report, says its discovery of a near doubling in the overall cancer incidence rate, compared to other areas of the territory, is a cause for serious concern. It wants an investigation into a possible link with the mine. There is an excess of cancer in the Aboriginal communities of the Kakadu region, says the leaked report from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies (AIATSIS). The study found 27 people were diagnosed with cancer in the Kakadu region between 1994 and 2003, compared to an estimated 14.4 people elsewhere in the territory. This represents a 90 per cent increase, or almost doubling, of the cancer rate. Although the effects of continuing, low-dose radiation on health are clearly contested, a sufficient body of evidence has been accumulated to warrant concern, says the report. There is urgent need for continued, comprehensive monitoring of health wherever uranium mining occurs. A concrete link was not made between cancer rates and the mine because the report found there was not enough available evidence to support the claim. But it called on both territory and federal governments to investigate a possible connection. The NT Government dismissed any link with the mine. The report does not show that excess cancers in Kakadu are caused by mining, Tarun Weeramanthri, Chief Health Officer of the Northern Territory, said. The excess cancers found are not typical of cancers caused by radiation but rather cover the range of cancers that reflect lifestyle issues such as smoking, diet and infection. AIATSIS today distanced itself from the report, saying it had not commissioned the findings. This paper was neither commissioned nor authorised by the Institute's Governing Council and should not be seen to represent the views of council, said AIATSIS chair Mick Dodson. The report is the first to examine health issues since ERA first started mining at Ranger in the 1980s, despite more than 120 recorded mishaps including leakages, spillages and breaches of regulations. ERA said its radiation measures were well within the limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Research and monitoring by ERA and the Commonwealth Supervising Scientist demonstrate that doses to residents of Jabiru and surrounding communities have always been a very small fraction of recommended limits, the company said. But traditional owners in the region welcomed the report's findings. Scant attention has been paid to the health effects of this development ... these health effects include the social and cultural impacts of mining, said the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, representing the Mirarr People. One of the report's four authors, Alan Cass from Sydney University, said he stood by the report's cancer findings. This was exploratory research and the report indicates the limitations of the data collected, he said. Share this article (What is this?) Copyright 2006 News Limited. All times AEDT (GMT +11). ***************************************************************** 106 AGI: ITALY-FRANCE: BERSANI, NUCLEAR WASTE ROADMAP HALF-HEARTEDLY Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - News In English Saturday November 25, 2006 h.03.36 Italy On Line Special service by AGI on behalf of the Italian Prime Minister's office (AGI) - Lucca, Nov 24 - Italy and France reached an agreement on the re-processing of 235 tonnes of Italian nuclear waste, but "half-heartedly." At least for Italians. Economic Development Minister Pierluigi Bersani laid out the roadmap to make Italy ready to host nuclear waste in a deposit by 2025, but with the regret of having to proceed in the mark of decisions taken by the previous government which decided to build the first geologic deposit in the world in Scanzano, without speaking with local authorities. Bersani recalled, "in the years when the centre-left governed, we decided to work on a site on the national territory, but the government decided otherwise." With today's deal, which provides for a temporary transferral of nuclear waste in France and in 10-15 years locating a dumping site in Italy, "there is a turnaround. We are taking a road to restart a national route." The deal involves 235 tonnes of Italian radiated fuels to be treated in France to be handed over from the beginning of 2007 to half-way through 2012. The waste will then be returned to Italy, in special containers, from January 2020 to December 2025. The return schedule will be established between 2015 and 2018. The identification of the site, which will have a specifically made organisation working on it from 2009, will occur in 2012 from the Economic Development Ministry together with the State-Regions Conference. (AGI) - 242004 NOV 06 COPYRIGHTS 2002-2006 AGI S.p.A. [Invia questo articolo] Invia questo articolo ***************************************************************** 107 UPI: GAO: $150B nuke proposal needs oversight United Press International - Security &Terrorism - 11/24/2006 11:48:00 AM -0500 WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy Department has proposed a nuclear weapons complex overhaul that could cost more than $150 billion over 25 years. The Government Accountability Office warns that if the program is to go forward, close congressional oversight is going to be needed to pull the program off. "Given the importance of the nation's nuclear deterrent, the large amount of funding required, and DOE's history of poor project management, it is vital that the Congress closely oversee (the National Nuclear Security Administration's) implementation of its proposal," the GAO stated in a recent report on its recommendations for the new Congress' legislative and oversight priorities. The NNSA, a separately organized agency within DOE, oversees the aging nuclear weapons complex -- three design laboratories, four production plants, and the Nevada Test Site - with an annual budget of $6 billion. In the spring, NNSA propsed a massive overhaul that will take 25 years to complete. NNSA wants to build a single plutonium processing center, remove weapons-grade materials fro the labs and modernize the remaining production facilities where they stand. Key to the program is the successful development of a Reliable Replacement Warhead to upgrade deteriorating and possible unreliable warheads in the nuclear arsenal. Before giving the program the green light, GAO recommends Congress require the Defense Department to establish specific long-term requirements for the nuclear stockpile; require the NNSA to develop an accurate cost estimate for its proposal as well as alternative proposals; and evaluate the need, cost and schedule of the proposed Reliable Replacement Warhead against refurbishing existing weapons. © Copyright 2006 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ***************************************************************** 108 Tri-City Herald: DOE raises postponed pending budget OK Published Thursday, November 23rd, 2006 By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer Raises and bonuses for Department of Energy workers have been postponed as DOE waits for Congress to approve a budget for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The Hanford nuclear reservation is operating under a continuing resolution for the federal government that originally provided funding for DOE through Nov. 17, and now has been extended until Dec. 8. Projects are restricted to spending levels for the previous fiscal year or the amount in the proposed fiscal year 2007 budget, whichever is less. The U.S. House has approved the Hanford budget for the current fiscal year, but the Senate has yet to consider it. The two budgets must be reconciled before they can be sent to the president for his signature. Because of both the continuing resolution and uncertainty in the fiscal year 2007 budget, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and DOE's senior leadership are deferring pay raises and bonuses, said Jeff Pon, chief human capital officer, in a memo to DOE managers. "The decision to delay performance-based awards was a difficult one," he said in the memo. But DOE was concerned that layoffs could be needed because of the low level of funding under the continuing resolution for DOE offices. Paying bonuses could place jobs of co-workers at risk, Pon said. The delay will be effective until the secretary determines the fiscal year funding situation has been sufficiently resolved, he said. The freeze does not affect employees of Hanford contractors. The proposed fiscal year 2007 House budget for Hanford includes about $1.8 billion, down from the high spending of nearly $2.1 billion two years ago. Among differences in the House and Senate budget bills is $600 million for Hanford's vitrification plant in the budget approved by the House and $690 million in the budget that has passed the Senate appropriations committee. © 2006 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press ***************************************************************** 109 Tri-City Herald: DOE fights tribal suit over natural resouces Published Friday, November 24th, 2006 By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer The Department of Energy is asking a federal judge to partially dismiss claims in a lawsuit brought by the Yakama Nation for natural resource damages at the Hanford nuclear reservation. The Yakama Nation -- joined by Oregon, Washington, the Nez Perce and the Umatillas -- is alleging the federal government has failed to adequately assess harm to natural resources caused by nuclear contamination at Hanford from the past production of plutonium for the nation's nuclear weapons program. The suit asks the federal court to order DOE to follow federal Superfund law and begin an assessment of how pollution has affected natural resources, such as vegetation, animals, ground water and the Columbia River. If DOE does not do the assessment or otherwise cooperate, then the Yakama Nation and other governments want a federal judge to require DOE to pay their costs of doing the assessment. If damage remains after cleanup is completed, then states and tribes that have treaty rights reserved at Hanford for hunting, fishing and gathering may file claims against the polluter, the federal government. But DOE argued in court papers that it's too soon to assess damages for most of Hanford. Claims for natural resource damages may not be brought until final decisions are made on how to clean up different areas of the site if the federal government is diligently proceeding with studies of contamination and how to clean it up, DOE said in papers filed in U.S. District Court. DOE has made mostly interim decisions on how to clean up key areas of Hanford that are contaminated, DOE argued. Those areas include the 300 Area where fuel was manufactured, the 100 Area where nine reactors irradiated the fuel and the 200 Area where irradiated fuel was chemically processed to remove plutonium. Without final cleanup decisions, what residual waste might remain after cleanup is unknown, according to court documents. DOE's request for dismissal covers the 100, 200 and 300 Areas and the two counts of natural resource claims brought by the Yakamas covering assessment of damages and recovery of damages. DOE has reserved the right to seek dismissal of additional counts covering the Yakamas costs to date and risk assessments. n Reporter Annette Cary can be reached at 582-1533 or via e-mail at acary@tricityherald.com. © 2006 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press &Other Wire Services ***************************************************************** 110 DOE: Agency Information Collection Proposal FR Doc E6-19855 [Federal Register: November 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 226)] [Notices] [Page 67859] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24no06-45] AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Submission for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review; comment request. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to propose an information collection package with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the Work Authorization System, as prescribed in DOE O 412. 1A, in order to authorize and control work performed by designated Management and Operating (M) contractors and other contractors as determined by the senior procurement executive, consistent with the budget execution and program evaluation requirements of the DOE Planning, Programming, Budget, and Evaluation process. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. DATES: Comments regarding this collection must be received on or before December 26, 2006. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, please advise the OMB Desk Officer of your intention to make a submission as soon as possible. The Desk Officer may be telephoned at 202-395-4650. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: DOE Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10102, 735 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. Comments should also be addressed to: Jeffrey Martus, IM-11/ Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290; or by fax at 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at Jeffrey.martus@hq.doe.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Jeffrey Martus at the address listed above in ADDRESSES. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This package contains: (1) OMB No.: None. (2) Package Title: Work Authorization System. (3) Type of Review: New. (4) Purpose: This information is required by the Department to ensure that programmatic and administrative management requirements and resources are managed efficiently and effectively. (5) Respondents: 33. (6) Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 528 hours. Statutory Authority: Sec. 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13). Issued in Washington, DC on November 14, 2006. Sharon A. Evelin, Director, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-19855 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P ***************************************************************** NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: *****************************************************************