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                         NUCLEAR POLICY
 
1 Iran Must Prepare for a Nuclear Attack
2 [NYTr] Retired US Generals Warn Iran strike 'would be disastrous'
3 [NYTr] The Looming War on Iran
4 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Said to Assemble Two Uranium Units 
5 Guardian Unlimited: British Groups Say Not to Attack Iran 
6 Guardian Unlimited: Attacking Iran would be disaster, report says
7 Guardian Unlimited: Attacking Iran would be disastrous, warns coalit
8 Reuters: Attacking Iran would be a disaster - report
9 IRIB PERSIAN NEWS: Shahroudi urges release of diplomats 
10 AFP: Iran's Larijani participant in Munich conference 
11 AFP: Iran to test new uranium enrichment plant soon - diplomats -
12 IRNA: Iran's scientific achievements to serve all nations - presiden
13 UPI: Analysis: Russia embraces Iranian energy
14 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Reportedly Has Unseen Uranium Units 
15 [NYTr] North Korea Accuses US of Preparing Attack
16 Korea Herald: Alternative sought for sunshine approach   
17 Korea Herald: Pyongyang to demand fuel oil at nuclear talks   
18 Korea: Digital Chosunilbo: Washington, Seoul 'Mulling Energy Aid for
19 Korea: Digital Chosunilbo: We Know Northing About North Korea by Par
20 AFP: No aid to NKorea without clear compromise - Japan
21 AFP: US envoy seeks 'good start' from NKorea talks 
22 Guardian Unlimited: Report: N.Korea Considering Concessions 
23 Guardian Unlimited: N.Korea Urged to Get Out of the Nuke Biz
24 US: toledoblade.com: Energy strategy in Ohio's future
25 US: AFP: Bush unveils mammoth 716.5 billion dollar defense request -
26 US: UPI: Analysis: Pentagon submits $623.1B budget
27 Guardian Unlimited:  Nowhere to hide?
28 Trident Dispatches: An Overview of the Debate (UK)
29 Comment is free: It's not too late to talk
 
                         NUCLEAR REACTORS
 
30 US: [NukeNet] Alert--be there, comment at DOE meetings to stop
31 World Nuclear News: Total to enter nuclear industry
32 RIA Novosti: Belarus to start building its first nuclear power plant
33 US: Platts: US NRC seeks public comment through March 5 on free-reco
34 US: NRC: NRC Following Up on Unusual Event at Indian Point 3 Nuclear
35 US: Journal News: A stub public official rejects a government brush 
36 US: PoughkeepsieJournal.com: Clinton calls for safety review at Indi
37 US: NRC: Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc.; Notice of Consideration of 
38 US: NRC: NRC Releases FY 2008 Budget Request to Congress
39 US: PoughkeepsieJournal.com: Indian Point plant declares "unusual ev
40 Manila Bulletin: SC upholds QC court on nuclear power plant case 
41 Philippine STAR: SC junks compromise deal on Bataan power plant
42 US: Newsday.com: Water level drops at Westchester's Indian Point nuc
43 AU ABC: Rudd announces climate change summit
44 AU ABC: Howard considers carbon pricing
 
                          NUCLEAR SECURITY
 
45 [du-list] UN Atomic Watchdog Reports Trafficking of Nuclear
46 UPI: Bush seeks $145B to fight terror
 
                          NUCLEAR SAFETY
 
47 [du-list] RADIOACTIVE WASTE LEAK IN DUGRIDIGH WE DEMAND FULL
48 [du-list] USUK U -  Iraqwi producers  invitation to test
49 US: [du-list] Watch CNN on Feb. 5/6 :  from Gerard Matthew  
50 US: Spectrum: Lawmakers, speak up (Strake)
51 US: Salt Lake Tribune: Contact your legislators
52 The Herald: Appeal to Lords over bid to keep leukaemia death figures
53 US: Reid: REID ANNOUNCES NEW EFFORT TO HELP NEVADA TEST SITE WORKERS
54 US: LasVegasNOW.com: Gov. Gibbons Urged to Request Public Hearings o
55 US: ABC4.com: Divine Strake Test - ABC 4's editorial opinion - 
 
                         NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE
 
56 Las Vegas SUN: Bush budget would give small boost to Yucca funding 
57 US: AP Wire: Cleanup of former Chino Hills munitions site continues
58 US: Platts: Bush FY-08 budget earmarks $494.5 mil for nuclear waste 
59 US: LA Daily News: Perchlorate levels stump researchers
60 US: Salt Lake Tribune: Waste oversight
61 US: Gallup Independent: "Hot" waste shipments apparently in Navajo f
 
                           PEACE
 
 
                        US DEPT. OF ENERGY
 
62 DOE: Department of Energy Requests $24.3 Billion for FY 2008 Budget
63 DOE: Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee; Notice of Open 
64 NewsBlaze: Department of Energy Requests $24.3 Billion for FY 2008 B
65 Knox News: Nuclear news papers
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                         FULL NEWS STORIES
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 1 Iran Must Prepare for a Nuclear Attack
 
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 11:58:21 -0600 (CST)


General Leonid Ivashov is the vice-president of the Academy on
geopolitical affairs. He was the chief of the department for General
affairs in the Soviet Unions ministry of Defense, secretary of the
Council of defense ministers of the Community of independant states
(CIS), chief of the Military cooperation department at the Russian
federations Ministry of defense and Joint chief of staff of the
Russian armies

Iran Must Get Ready to Repel a Nuclear Attack

by General Leonid Ivashov

Global Research, January 24, 2007
Strategic Cultural Foundation (Russia)

In the overall flow of information coming from the Middle East,
there are increasingly frequent reports indicating that within
several months from now the US will deliver nuclear strikes on Iran.
For example, citing well-informed but undisclosed sources, the
Kuwaiti Arab Times wrote that the US plans to launch a missile and
bomb attack on the territory of Iran before the end of April, 2007.
The campaign will start from the sea and will be supported by the
Patriot missile defense systems in order to let the US forces avoid
a ground operation and to reduce the efficiency of the return strike
by any Persian Gulf country.

Any country mostly refers to Iran. The source which supplied the
information to the Kuwaiti paper believes that the US forces in
Iraq and other countries of the region will be defended from any
Iranian missile strikes by the frontier Patriots.

So, the preparations for a new US aggression entered the completion
phase. The executions of S. Hussein and his closest associates were
a part of these preparations. Their purpose was to serve as a
disguise operation for the efforts of the US strategists to
deliberately escalate the situation both around Iran and in the
entire Middle East.

Analyzing the consequences of the move, the US did order to hang
the former Iraqi leader and his associates. This shows that the US
has adopted irreversibly the plan of partitioning Iraq into three
warring pseudo-states  the Shiite, the Sunnite, and the Kurdish
ones. Washington reckons that the situation of a controlled chaos
will help it to dominate the Persian Gulf oil supplies and other
strategically important oil transportation routes.

The most important aspect of the matter is that a zone of an endless
bloody conflict will be created at the core of the Middle East, and
that the countries neighboring Iraq  Iran, Syria, Turkey (Kurdistan)
will inevitably be getting drawn into it. This will solve the problem
of completely destabilizing the region, a task of major importance
for the US and especially for Israel. The war in Iraq was just one
element in a series of steps in the process of regional destabilization.
It was only a phase in the process of getting closer to dealing
with Iran and other countries, which the US declared or will declare
rouge.

However it is not easy for the US to get involved in yet another
military campaign while Iraq and Afghanistan are not pacified (the
US lacks the resources necessary for the operation). Besides,
protests against the politics of the Washington neocons intensify
all over the world. Due to all of the above, the US will use nuclear
weapon against Iran. This will be the second case of the use of
nuclear weapons in combat after the 1945 US attack on Japan.

The Israeli military and political circles had been making statements
on the possibility of nuclear and missile strikes on Iran openly
since October, 2006, when the idea was immediately supported by G.
Bush. Currently it is touted in the form of a necessity of nuclear
strikes. The public is taught to believe that there is nothing
monstrous about such a possibility and that, on the contrary, a
nuclear strike is quite feasible. Allegedly, there is no other way
to stop Iran.

How will other nuclear powers react? As for Russia, at best it will
limit itself to condemning the strikes, and at worst  as in the
case of the aggression against Yugoslavia  its response will be
something like though by this the US makes a mistake, the victim
itself provoked the attack.

Europe will react in essentially the same way. Possibly, the negative
reaction of China and several other countries to the nuclear
aggression will be stronger. In any case, there will be no retaliation
nuclear strike on the US forces (the US is absolutely sure of this).

The UN means nothing in this context. Having failed to condemn the
aggression against Yugoslavia, the UN Security Council effectively
shared the responsibility for it. This institution is only capable
to adopt resolutions which the Russian and also the French diplomacy
understands as banning the use of force, but the US and British
ones interpret in exactly the opposite sense  as authorizing their
aggression.

Speaking of Israel, it is sure to come under the Iranian missile
strikes. Possibly, the Hezbollah and the Palestinian resistance
will become more active. Posing as victims, the Israelis will resort
to provocations to justify their aggression, suffer some tolerable
damage, and then the outraged US will destabilize Iran finally,
making it look like a noble mission of retribution.

Some people tend to believe that concerns over the worlds protests
can stop the US. I do not think so. The importance of this factor
should not be overstated. In the past, I have spent hours talking
to Milosevic, trying to convince him that NATO was preparing to
attack Yugoslavia. For a long time, he could not believe this and
kept telling me: Just read the UN Charter. What grounds will they
have to do it?

But they did it. They ignored the international law outrageously
and did it. What do we have now? Yes, there was a shock, there was
indignation. But the result is exactly what the aggressors wanted
Milosevic is dead, Yugoslavia is partitioned, and Serbia is colonized
NATO officers have set up their headquarters in the countrys ministry
of defense.

The same things happened to Iraq. There were a shock and indignation.
But what matters to the Americans is not how big the shock is, but
how high are the revenues of their military-industrial complex.

The information that a second US aircraft-carrier is due to arrive
at the Persian Gulf till the end of January makes it possible to
analyze the possible evolution of the war situation. Attacking Iran,
the US will mostly use air delivery of the nuclear munitions. Cruise
missiles (carried by the US aircrafts as well as ships and submarines)
and, possibly, ballistic missiles will be used. Probably, nuclear
strikes will be followed by air raids from aircraft carriers and
by other means of attack.

The US command is trying to exclude a ground operation: Iran has a
strong army and the US forces are likely to suffer massive casualties.
This is unacceptable for G. Bush who already finds himself in a
difficult situation. It does not take a ground operation to destroy
infrastructures in Iran, to reverse the development of the country,
to cause panic, and to create a political, economic and military
chaos. This can be accomplished by using first the nuclear, and
subsequently the conventional means of warfare. Such is the purpose
of bringing the aircraft carrier group closer to the Iranian coast.

What resources for self-defense does Iran have? They are considerable,
but incomparably inferior to the US forces. Iran has 29 Russian Tor
systems. Definitely, they are an important reinforcement of the
Iranian air defense. However, at present Iran has no guaranteed
protection from air raids.

The US tactics will be the same as usual: first, to neutralize the
air defense and radars, and then to attack aircrafts in the air and
on land, the control installations, and the infrastructure, while
taking no risks.

Within weeks from now, we will see the informational warfare machine
start working. The public opinion is already under pressure. There
will be a growing anti-Iranian militaristic hysteria, new information
leaks, disinformation, etc.

At the same time all of the above sends a signal to the pro-Western
opposition and to a fraction of Mahmoud Ahmadinejads elite to get
ready for the coming developments. The US hopes that an attack on
Iran will inevitably result in a chaos in the country, and that it
will be possible to bribe some of the Iranian generals and thus to
create a fifth column in the country.

Of course, Iran is very different from Iraq. However, if the aggressor
succeeds in instigating a conflict between the two branches of the
Iranian armed forces  the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and the
army  the country will find itself in a critical situation, especially
in case at the very beginning of the campaign the US manages to hit
the Iranian leadership and delivers a nuclear strike or a massive
one by conventional warfare on the countrys central command.

Today, the probability of a US aggression against Iran is extremely
high. It does remain unclear, though, whether the US Congress is
going to authorize the war. It may take a provocation to eliminate
this obstacle (an attack on Israel or the US targets including
military bases). The scale of the provocation may be comparable to
the 9-11 attack in NY. Then the Congress will certainly say Yes to
the US President.

Global Research Articles by Leonid Ivashov
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=listByAuthor&authorFirst=Leonid&authorName=Ivashov
*****************************************************************
 2 [NYTr] Retired US Generals Warn Iran strike 'would be disastrous'
 
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 17:07:35 -0600 (CST)


Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
sent by Dave Muller (southnews)

The Guardian - Feb 5, 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329705651-111322,00.html

Attacking Iran would be disastrous, warns coalition of opinion 
led by retired officers

by Julian Borger, diplomatic editor

Warnings of the dire consequences of military confrontation with Iran, 
and calls for a renewed diplomatic effort, are being issued on both 
sides of the Atlantic in a sign of the growing anxiety over the prospect 
of US or Israeli action.

A coalition of foreign policy thinktanks, humanitarian organisations and 
peace groups will issue a report today arguing that an attack on Iran, 
reportedly being contemplated by the US and Israel as a means of slowing 
down Iran's nuclear programme, would backfire disastrously.

Sir Richard Dalton, Britain's former ambassador to Tehran, backed the 
report's conclusions. "Diplomacy has not been exhausted," he said. 
"Military action should be a last resort, used in self-defence against 
an imminent threat, and we have not reached that position yet."

Three former high-ranking US officers echoed the report's conclusions 
and urged Tony Blair to slow the march to war by making it clear to 
Washington that he would oppose a military attack on Iran.

In a letter in yesterday's Sunday Times, the retired officers - General 
Joseph Hoar, a former head of US central command, Lieutenant General 
Robert Gard and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan - said a strike against Iran 
"would have disastrous consequences for security in the region, 
coalition forces in Iraq and would further exacerbate regional and 
global tensions".

The warnings come against a background of rising tension, with a new US 
determination to combat what Washington sees as covert Iranian support 
for insurgents and militias in Iraq, and with steadily growing 
confrontation over Iran's nuclear ambitions. In little more than two 
weeks a UN deadline expires for Iran to stop enrichment of uranium, 
which could trigger international sanctions. But there were reports over 
the weekend that Iran could be accelerating work on a uranium enrichment 
plant in Natanz.

The government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insists that it is seeking only to 
process uranium for power generation, but the International Atomic 
Energy Agency has criticised Iran for a lack of transparency over its 
programme, while the US and its allies suspect the Iranian leadership is 
using an ostensibly civil programme as a front for developing nuclear 
weapons.

British officials are concerned that hawks are winning the debate in 
Washington with claims that the only way to hinder Iran's development of 
nuclear arms is to launch air strikes against suspected weapons 
development sites.

But today's report, Time to talk - the case for diplomatic solutions on 
Iran, sponsored by the Oxford Research Group, the Foreign Policy Centre 
and Oxfam among others, argues that military action would have 
far-reaching negative consequences.

The authors say it would strengthen Iranian nuclear ambitions, create 
even greater instability in the region, especially Iraq and Afghanistan, 
further inflame the "war on terror", and exacerbate insecurity over 
energy supplies, damaging the global economy. They say it could cause 
long-term environmental damage by releasing radioactive material into 
the atmosphere, and cause significant civilian casualties.

The report argues there is still a lot of room for diplomacy, 
particularly bilateral discussions between Washington and Tehran. The 
Bush administration has repeatedly said it will only hold such talks 
once the Iranian government has agreed to stop uranium enrichment.

Its authors say that Iranian security concerns should be taken into 
account in comprehensive negotiations. "The idea of a 'Grand Bargain' 
should not be dismissed outright. Real diplomatic options still exist, 
if a face-saving solution can be found to convince the protagonists to 
approach the table," the report states.

"The possible consequence of military action could be so serious that 
governments have a responsibility to ensure that all diplomatic options 
have been exhausted. At present, this is not the case."

US supporters of a tough line towards Tehran argue that the 
repercussions from air strikes are being exaggerated and that those who 
play up their negative consequences are undermining western leverage on 
Iran. Sir Richard Dalton responded: "This is not taking the military 
option off the table ... But I think military action should be a last 
resort. Meanwhile, there is time for diplomacy."

                         ***

Al Jazeera - Feb 5, 2007
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DD874EEE-9D2D-4E25-89DA-7DCF5531DD9C.htm

US ex-generals reject Iran attack

Three former senior US military officials have warned against a military 
attack on Iran, saying it would have "disastrous consequences" for 
security in the region.

In a letter to the British Sunday Times newspaper, the three urged the 
US to hold immediate and unconditional talks with Tehran.
"The current crisis must be resolved through diplomacy," the letter states.

They say the UK has a "vital role" to play in pushing for a diplomatic 
solution to the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme and urge it to make 
clear "it will oppose any recourse to military force".
'Disastrous consequences'

The letter, signed by retired army lieutenant general Robert Gard, a 
former military assistant to US defence secretary, Robert McNamara, 
urges the US government to "engage immediately in direct talks with the 
government of Iran without preconditions.

"There is time available to talk, we must ensure that we use it," they said.

Attacking Iran "would have disastrous consequences for security in the 
region, coalition forces in Iraq and would further exacerbate regional 
and global tensions" they said.

The three men have joined previous petitions calling on the Bush 
administration to change course in its policy on Iran.

Retired US Marine Corps general Joseph Hoar, a former commander-in-chief 
of US Central Command and retired Navy vice-admiral Jack Shanahan, a 
former director of the Center for Defense Information also added their 
names to the letter.

Regional instability

The US administration has recently increased the regularity and 
vehemence of its verbal attacks on Iran, prompting fears that it could 
be preparing for a military strike against the Islamic state.

Washington has also sent a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf, a move 
seen as a warning to Iran, which the US accuses of seeking nuclear 
weapons and fuelling instability in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.

It has offered to hold direct talks with Iran but only once Tehran halts 
its push to produce nuclear fuel through uranium enrichment.

Iran denies the claims and says its nuclear programme is for its own 
energy use.

On Friday, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, said Washington was 
not planning for war with Iran, but again accused Tehran of supplying 
bombs for attacks on US troops in Iraq.

                         ***

BBC NEWS - Feb 5, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/6330133.stm

Grassroots worries growing over Iran

By Paul Reynolds
World Affairs correspondent

With Iran defying the Security Council over its enrichment of uranium 
and the United States threatening further pressure, there are signs of 
organised grassroots opposition emerging to any military attack.

A pressure group in Britain has urged a diplomatic solution. There are 
stirrings among religious leaders and members of parliament.

And three senior retired US military officers have said that they 
"strongly caution against the use of military force". They have called 
on Britain to play a "vital role in securing a renewed diplomatic push".

'Counter-productive and dangerous'

The pressure group, called Crisis Action, brings together trade unions, 
charities and Christian and Muslim organisations. They include the 
Amicus, Unison and GMB unions, the Oxford Research Group, the Foreign 
Policy Centre, Pax Christi, the Muslim Council of Britain and the Muslim 
Parliament. The group's document is entitled " Time to Talk".

It says: "The consequences of any possible future military action could 
be wholly counter-productive as well as highly dangerous. Diplomatic 
solutions to the Iranian nuclear issue must be pursued resolutely."

There is no legal basis for an attack
Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador in Iran

One of its spokesmen is Sir Richard Dalton, who was British ambassador 
in Iran until March 2006, though he is not a signatory to the document 
and differs on one significant aspect.

But he agrees that the military approach is not the way forward.

"There is no legal basis for an attack," he said. "The negotiating road 
is hard but could be improved if Iran was offered a regional security 
assurance and the United States became more directly involved to reduce 
the issues between themselves and Iran."

However he did not agree with the suggestion in the Crisis Action 
document that the Security Council demand for a suspension of enrichment 
by Iran as a pre-condition for talks is a "fundamental" obstacle.

"Suspension is an essential first step," said Sir Richard.

Iran has been offered a co-operation package to develop its civilian 
nuclear programme as well as the participation of the US in those talks, 
but first it has to suspend enrichment and the thrust of the offer is 
that this suspension should become permanent until such time that Iran 
can gain the trust of the international community.

Generals close ranks

The call by Crisis Action has been backed up by a letter to the Sunday 
Times from three former senior US military commanders - Generals Robert 
G Gard Jr and Joseph P Hoar and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan. General Hoar 
is a former commander in chief of US Central Command, which covers the 
Middle East.

Their statement says: "An attack on Iran would have disastrous 
consequences for security in the region, collation forces in Iraq and 
would further exacerbate regional and global tensions. The current 
crisis must be resolved through diplomacy.

"There is time available to talk."

How much time?

The time available depends on how long Iran will take to master the 
technology of enrichment.

The latest report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies 
in London (IISS) refers to Iran's expected declaration this week that it 
will install 3,000 centrifuges in addition to the 164 they have already 
announced.

"If and when Iran does have 3,000 centrifuges operating smoothly, the 
IISS estimates it would take an additional 9-11 months to produce 25 kg 
of highly enriched uranium, enough for one implosion-type weapon. That 
day is still 2-3 years away at the earliest."

Norman Dombey, Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at Sussex 
University thinks it could be even longer.

"It would probably take about two years to install and run [the 3,000 
centrifuges] and another two before they could enrich enough uranium for 
one weapon," he wrote in the Independent on Sunday.

Enrichment to weapons grade, as opposed to nuclear power grade, 
presupposes that at some stage Iran either defies or departs from the 
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which it has undertaken not to 
produce a nuclear bomb - and it says it will not do that.

       
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 3 [NYTr] The Looming War on Iran
 
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 17:08:08 -0600 (CST)


Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Counterpunch - Feb 5, 2007
http://www.counterpunch.org/jacobs02052007.html

The Looming War on Iran:

It's Not About Democracy

By RON JACOBS

Recent media reports about Iran suggest that President Ahmadinejad has run
slightly afoul of the clerics in that country's Council of Guardians. Most
specifically, the Imam Khamenei has publicly criticized the president's
statements about Iran's nuclear program and his government's failure to
stop inflation in Iran. Khamenei, for those who don't know, is the Supreme
Leader of Iran, which means that, he reviews every political decision made
by the Iranian legislature and the president according to the Koran and its
interpretations. He has issued a fatwa that states the production,
stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons was forbidden under Islam. He has
also supported the economic subsidies of basic goods and shelter and free
medical care for all Iranians--two programs currently existing in Iran This
support stems from the Koran's teaching that those who can afford it must
pay zakat to help the poor, although the institutionalization of it through
Tehran could be considered part of the Islamic government's successful
attempts to remove leftists and their thought from the revolutionary regime
by renaming their programs and then killing the left.

Like those that exist in any country, there are those in Iran's ruling
elites who would like to see all subsidies ended, with Iran incorporating
itself into the neoliberal model of economic Darwinism. In other words,
those with the money and connections would reap great profits while the
poor and working people would suffer. The former president Rafsanjani is
one of these men, so it seems ironic that he would be in favor with
Khamenei if Khamenei is to be believed. Rafsanjani, for those who don't
know, was part of the original troika of clerics (along with Ayatollah
Khomeini and Mohammed Husseni Buheshi) that forced the left and the
moderates out of the revolution and established a dictatorship of the
clerics.

According to the revolution's first president Bani Sadr and the US
Ambassador William Sullivan, the dictatorship was, at the very least,
encouraged by the US Embassy in Iran, who preferred a military/clerical
junta to a left-leaning democratic state. The army's unpopularity made its
participation impossible, so the clerics replaced it with the Revolutionary
Guard. That dictatorship exists today, albeit in a different form, with the
primary difference being that laws are passed by representatives but are
subject to the review of the clerics.

Some of these men were also involved with the Shah's government and the
arms deals made with Ronald Reagan that were the cause of Irangate.
Rafsanjani is acknowledged to have hidden away millions of dollars worth of
Iran's monies in bank accounts around the world while the people of Iran
dealt with the rationing of their basic goods. His number one motivation
seems to be money and the power it provides.

If the government is so bad, one might ask, then what's wrong with the US
trying to overthrow it? Besides the obvious-- that preemptive war is both
illegal and immoral, there is the example of Iraq. As any informed reader
must know, that attempt by Washington to overthrow a strongman and replace
it with a different government id a failure. This is due in part because
Washington never really planned to allow democracy to flourish there, but
it is also related to the refusal of the Iraqi people to accept occupation.
No matter what the United States does in that country, it is bound to fail
for exactly that reason.

Assuming the Iranian experience to be different is folly. After all, if
there is one sentiment that seems prevalent among Iranians it is their
determination to refuse foreign domination. It is arguably this
determination that created a situation the mullahs could manipulate to take
power in the early 1980s when the attack by the Iraqi army of Saddam
Hussein diverted monies and attention away from the internal needs of the
people. This line of reasoning points to invasions by foreign powers during
the French and Russian revolutions as the reason for their fall into
dictatorship. Furthermore, some even argue that the mullahs kept the war
with Iraq going in order to consolidate their power. At the time Washington
was supporting Baghdad while it was also sending illegal arms shipments to
Tehran. In short, the war served the interests of Washington more than it
served either country.

A recent tactic from Washington as it seeks to motivate the people of the
US for another war in the Middle East is its claim that Iran is arming the
various insurgent groups fighting US troops in Iraq. The people pushing
this story (specifically Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno) have even gone so far as
to tell the press that the US military has traced the serial numbers found
on some captured weapons back to Iran. Now, even if this were true, there
is more than one possible explanation for these serial numbers. The one
that springs first to mind is that SCIRI, an Iraqi party supported by the
United States since before the invasion with a militia known as the Badr
Brigades that was trained in Iran, has many of these such weapons.
Consequently, it is quite possible that the weaponry supposedly captured by
US troops and traced back to Iran was stolen from the Badr Brigades.

Other possible explanations could be that the rumored weapons don't even
exist, were bought on the black market, or were planted by anti-Iranian
forces in Iraq or US intelligence. In short, this claim rings as hollow as
the yellow cake uranium claims made by the White House as it lied the US
into war with Iraq. On the other hand, if it is true to some degree, that
wouldn't be unusual. After all, even the US insurgency against the British
was funded by the French.

As I write, indications are that there are US Special Forces engaged in
operations in Iran. Rumors name the province of Khuzestan as the locale for
these operations. They are probably being helped by various exiles who are
either current or former members of organizations that believe the ends
justify the means and are therefore willing to help the enemy in Washington
to overthrow the mullahs. A similar scenario existed when the US overthrew
the popular Iranian leader Mossadegh in 1953. Various clerics waffled
between support of the US coup and the popular government. According to the
coup's architect Kermit Roosevelt, it was the loss of support of Khomeini's
mentor, the cleric Ayatollah Kashani, that created the necessary power
shift to allow the US coup to go forward.

Some accounts state that the ayatollah withdrew his support from Mossadegh
because of his fear that Mossadegh was a communist (a fear stirred up by
CIA personnel) and others allow that a substantial amount of CIA money was
provided to the cleric's accounts for the poor and other social services.
Either way, it was US manipulation that precipitated the shift. Another
interesting aspect of the 1953 coup was that the US had special forces
operatives operating in southern Iran (Khuzestan) at least a year before
the actual coup.

It is curious that Washington would want to ramp up the rhetoric against
Iran now, when US forces are tired and thin. The only reason that makes
sense is that the Cheney-Bush plan to remake the Middle East before they
leave office is still in place, and any war on Iran must begin soon. Since
Washington's attempts to scare the world into sanctioning and attacking
Iran over its nuclear program seems to be going nowhere, then the news
stories concerning Iran's involvement in Iraq and the arrests of Iranian
officials may very well be an alternative attempt to convince Congress that
war on Iran is necessary.

One thing is clear--Washington is not interested in a democratic Iran After
all, if it were, it would not have made the deals it did with the clerics
back in the 1980s and neither would it have supported Iraq in the Iran
-Iraq war, since the effect of both of these efforts was the consolidation
of the clerical dictatorship's power. Any US attack on Iran would probably
consolidate that power even more or install a US client regime in Tehran,
with neither result being very positive for the aspirations of the Iranian
people, who have yet to see the democratic hopes of their revolution
fulfilled.

[Ron Jacobs is author of The Way the Wind Blew: a history of the Weather
Underground, which is just republished by Verso. Jacobs' essay on Big Bill
Broonzy is featured in CounterPunch's collection on music, art and sex,
Serpents in the Garden. His first novel, Short Order Frame Up, is
forthcoming from Mainstay Press. He can be reached at:
rjacobs3625@charter.net]
       
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.          Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us         .
.339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012     http://www.blythe.org
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*****************************************************************
 4 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Said to Assemble Two Uranium Units 

From the Associated Press        

[UP] 

Monday February 5, 2007 8:16 PM

AP Photo VAH102, VAH105, VAH109 

By GEORGE JAHN 

Associated Press Writer 

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Shrugging off the threat of tougher U.N.
sanctions, Iran has set up more than 300 centrifuges in two
uranium enrichment units at its underground Natanz complex,
diplomats and officials said Monday. 

The move potentially opens the way for larger scale enrichment
that could be used to create nuclear warheads. Iranian leaders
have repeatedly said the Natanz underground hall would house
first 3,000 centrifuges and ultimately 54,000 machines. 

It also poses a direct challenge to the Security Council, which
late last month imposed limited sanctions targeting programs and
individuals linked to Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile
programs - and warned of stricter penalties within 60 days
unless Iran freezes enrichment. 

Speaking separately - and demanding anonymity because their
information was confidential - a diplomat accredited to the
Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency and a U.S.
official said that two ``cascades'' of 164 centrifuges each had
been set up in recent days. 

The likely next step was ``dry testing'' - running the linkups
without uranium gas inside - to be followed by attempts to spin
and re-spin the gas. The process, known as enrichment, can be
used to fuel nuclear power plants. But at higher levels of
enrichment the material can be used for the core of nuclear
warheads. 

Both the Iranian leadership and the Vienna-based IAEA, which is
the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency, had said recently that
Tehran would start assembling the machines this month. 

In another sign that Tehran was forging ahead with plans to
create a large-scale ``pilot plant'' of 3,000 centrifuges
running in series, U.N. officials late last week told the AP
that that piping, cables, control panels and air conditioning
systems had been installed at Natanz to support such a number of
machines. 

David Albright, the former U.N. nuclear inspector whose
Washington-based Institute for Science and International
Security tracks Iran's nuclear activities, said the country was
likely capable of hooking up 300 to 500 centrifuges a month,
allowing it to reach its goal of a 3,000-machine linkup this
year. 

Such an operation could be used to produce fissile material for
two bombs a year, but Albright - like other analysts - suggested
that it could take somewhat longer as the Iranians have had only
limited success in running the machines for prolonged periods
without breakdowns in aboveground tests at Natanz. 

Iran says it wants to use the technology to generate nuclear
power, but the U.S. and other nations believe Tehran is intent
on using the process to develop weapons. Albright said Iran
could opt to create a large stockpile of low-enriched uranium
which it could then use to ``break out'' and re-enrich to
weapons grade at any time. 

The International Institute for Strategic Studies, a
London-based think tank, last week estimated that Iran was two
to three years away from having the capacity to build a nuclear
weapon. The head of U.S. national intelligence, John Negroponte,
has spoken of a four-year period. 

The State Department did not comment directly on the reported
centrifuge setups, saying only that it would push for
``incremental'' U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran if
Tehran authorities continue to ignore council demands for
suspension of the country's uranium enrichment program. 

Spokesman Sean McCormack said that Iran appears to be continuing
``down the path of isolation.'' 

--- 

On the Net: 

International Atomic Energy Agency: www.iaea.org	 
		 	 	   
Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 5 Guardian Unlimited: British Groups Say Not to Attack Iran 

From the Associated Press        

[UP] 

Monday February 5, 2007 6:31 PM

By THOMAS WAGNER 

Associated Press Writer 

LONDON (AP) - Foreign policy experts warned Prime Minister Tony
Blair on Monday that military action against Iran could worsen
violence across the Middle East and urged him to persuade the
United States to hold talks with Tehran. 

The report from a coalition of think tanks, unions and aid
groups is the latest of several high-profile appeals to find a
diplomatic solution to the crisis over Iran's nuclear program,
arguing that military action could be highly dangerous and
counterproductive. 

``There are circumstances in which military action might have to
be taken, but they are more circumscribed than simply saying we
have a hunch that this country has got a nuclear program,
therefore let's zap it just in case,'' Sir Richard Dalton,
Britain's ambassador to Iran in 2002-06, said at a news
conference for the document's release. 

President Bush and other Western leaders have said there are no
plans to attack Iran, but Washington also warns that military
action remains an option as the U.N. Security Council presses
Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment and allay suspicions it is
developing atomic bombs. 

Bush recently raised the U.S. naval presence in the Persian Gulf
to its highest level since 2003 by ordering a second aircraft
carrier strike group to the region. He also has authorized the
U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian agents in Iraq plotting
attacks on American forces. 

Iran denies it is trying to develop atomic weapons in violation
of treaty promises, saying it is working on uranium enrichment
only to produce fuel for nuclear reactors that would generate
electricity. 

Enrichment, however, can also produce material for atomic bombs.
Last week, a think tank, the International Institute for
Strategic Studies, said Iran could be two to three years from
having the capacity to build a nuclear weapon, although other
experts have estimated longer time frames. 

Dalton and Alex Bigham, Iran analyst at the left-leaning think
tank Foreign Policy Center, said the nuclear weapons programs of
India, Pakistan and North Korea show diplomacy is not guaranteed
to keep Iran from obtaining atomic arms. But they also said
Libya's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction shows
diplomacy should always be tried. 

Monday's paper, ``Time to Talk,'' said a military strike on Iran
could further destabilize neighboring Iraq, undermine hopes for
Israeli-Palestinian peace and strengthen hard-liners in Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government. 

An attack on oil-rich Iran also could drive up fuel prices,
harming economies around the world, it said. 

``The possible consequences of military action could be so
serious that governments have a responsibility to ensure that
all diplomatic options have been exhausted,'' the report said.
``At present, this is not the case.'' 

Blair's government should ``seek direct negotiations between
Iran and the U.S.'' and press for a compromise on the demand
that Iran suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition for
talks, said the paper compiled by 17 groups, including the
Amicus and GMB trade unions, Oxfam aid group, the Muslim Council
of Britain and the Foreign Policy Center. 

The report did not reach a conclusion on whether Iran intends to
build nuclear weapons, but acknowledged that ``many members of
the international community are deeply concerned'' about
Tehran's intentions. 

Its release came a day after a letter was published in the
Sunday Times newspaper from three former high-ranking U.S.
military officers who urged Washington to open talks ``without
preconditions'' with the Iranian government. 

The letter warned that an attack in Iran ``would have disastrous
consequences for security in the region, coalition forces in
Iraq and would further exacerbate regional and global
tensions.'' 

It was signed by retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar, former head
of the U.S. Central Command; retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert G.
Gard, senior military fellow at the Center for Arms Control and
Nonproliferation in Washington; and retired Navy Vice Adm. Jack
Shanahan, former director of the Center for Defense Information.
	 
Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 6 Guardian Unlimited: Attacking Iran would be disaster, report says

Matthew Tempest and agencies 

Monday February 5, 2007 Guardian Unlimited               

[Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] 

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photograph: AP.

Tony Blair was under pressure today to open direct talks with 
Tehran over its alleged nuclear weapons programme, as a coalition 
of UK charities, religious bodies and thinktanks warned that an 
attack on Iran would be a "disaster".

As the prime minister dropped a broad hint that he would work on 
the Middle East peace process after retiring this year, a 
reportwarned that an attack on Iran would expose British troops 
to attack, civilians to terrorism and release radiation in Iran.

The report by 15 organisations - backed by Britain's former 
ambassador to Iran - comes as the US appears to be upping the 
ante in an increasingly hostile war of words with Mahmoud 
Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president.

The previous foreign secretary, Jack Straw, has said that
military action against Iran would be "inconceivable". Margaret
Beckett, his successor, has also insisted that no one is
planning action against Tehran.

Today's report, entitled "Time to Talk: The Case for Diplomatic
Solutions on Iran", comes from the Foreign Policy Centre, backed
by trade unions, Muslim and Christian groups and Oxfam.

It says that the UK could prove the vital catalyst between the
EU and US on reopening talks with Iran.

Launching the document, Sir Richard Dalton, the British
ambassador to Iran until last year, said that a pre-emptive
strike on Iran would be "a disaster for Iran, the region and
quite possibly the world".

He said that patience and diplomacy were key to securing a
successful outcome.

"But both sides should work for a resumption. It is vital that
the US becomes fully involved in creative diplomacy," he told
the BBC.

The former Labour minister Stephen Twigg, director of the
Foreign Policy Centre, said: "The consequences of military
action against Iran are not only unpalatable, they are
unthinkable.

"Even according to the worst estimates, Iran is still years away
from having a nuclear weapon."

Last May the Iranian president wrote an open letter to US
president, George Bush, offering talks, but this was rejected.

In recent weeks Mr Bush has accused Iran, in addition to its
nuclear ambitions, of supporting the insurgency in neighbouring
Iraq.

But another former Labour MP, who is now chief executive of the
British-Israel Communications and Research Centre, warned that
time was running out to stop Iran become a nuclear power.

Lorna Fitzsimons told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What we
are talking about here is Iran reaching the ability on an
industrial scale to manufacture highly-enriched uranium.

"IISS [International Institute for Strategic Studies] and many
others prophesise that that is going to happen between nine to
11 months from today.

"That is the watershed. There is no return from that point. You
can't get the genie back in the bottle technologically once they
have sorted out the problem they currently have with their
centrifuges."

The Tories urged keeping all options "on the table", while the
Liberal Democrats welcomed the report's call for new talks with
Tehran.

The FPC report warns that military action could further
destabilise the region and provoke retaliatory attacks against
British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It could also undermine the war on terror by fuelling
anti-western sentiments, while strikes against nuclear
facilities risk unleashing radioactive contamination.

"Military action is not likely to be a short, sharp engagement
but could have a profound effect on the region, with shock waves
felt far beyond," the report says.

"The UK government is well positioned to articulate objections
to military action. Military action against Iran would work
against the interests of the UK."

The report says that Mr Blair is among several world leaders who
are keeping military force on the table.

"Opposition to military action is currently widespread, though
key leaders (notably Tony Blair and Angela Merkel [the German
chancellor]) have refused to rule it out, believing the threat
to be an important negotiating tool," it says.

Separately, in an interview broadcast today with BBC Radio 1, Mr
Blair promised to retain an interest in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict "in the years to come".

The prime minister has already pledged, in his conference speech
last year, to devote much of his remaining time in office to the
problem, but today appeared to go further, suggesting that he
would work on the issue after leaving No 10.

In the pre-recorded interview, Mr Blair said that world leaders
were agreed that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was
the single most important issue for world peace.

He added: "Our obligation is to put forward a peace process that
can work and try and take that forward.

"And over the next few weeks I think there will be some real
movement there."

Asked whether he will continue to work in the Middle East
post-Downing Street, Mr Blair said: "I will retain a huge
interest in the peace process in Israel and Palestine in the
years to come of course because it's so important.

"That's the reason why I've spent so long in my time in office
[concentrating on the Middle East] and, incidentally, I am in
the end optimistic that this thing can be done.

"But it requires a lot of hard work, a lot of commitment and it
requires the international community as a whole to recognise
that there is no more important issue for us to resolve than
Israel-Palestine."

Guardian Newspapers Limited
*****************************************************************
 7 Guardian Unlimited: Attacking Iran would be disastrous, warns coalition of opinion
led by retired officers 

Julian Borger, diplomatic editor

Monday February 5, 2007

The Guardian             

[Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] 

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photograph: AP

 Warnings of the dire consequences of military confrontation with 
Iran, and calls for a renewed diplomatic effort, are being issued 
on both sides of the Atlantic in a sign of the growing anxiety 
over the prospect of US or Israeli action.

A coalition of foreign policy thinktanks, humanitarian 
organisations and peace groups will issue a report today arguing 
that an attack on Iran, reportedly being contemplated by the US 
and Israel as a means of slowing down Iran's nuclear programme, 
would backfire disastrously.

Sir Richard Dalton, Britain's former ambassador to Tehran, backed 
the report's conclusions. "Diplomacy has not been exhausted," he 
said. "Military action should be a last resort, used in 
self-defence against an imminent threat, and we have not reached 
that position yet."

Three former high-ranking US officers echoed the report's
conclusions and urged Tony Blair to slow the march to war by
making it clear to Washington that he would oppose a military
attack on Iran.

In a letter in yesterday's Sunday Times, the retired officers -
General Joseph Hoar, a former head of US central command,
Lieutenant General Robert Gard and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan -
said a strike against Iran "would have disastrous consequences
for security in the region, coalition forces in Iraq and would
further exacerbate regional and global tensions".

The warnings come against a background of rising tension, with a
new US determination to combat what Washington sees as covert
Iranian support for insurgents and militias in Iraq, and with
steadily growing confrontation over Iran's nuclear ambitions. In
little more than two weeks a UN deadline expires for Iran to
stop enrichment of uranium, which could trigger international
sanctions. But there were reports over the weekend that Iran
could be accelerating work on a uranium enrichment plant in
Natanz.

The government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insists that it is seeking
only to process uranium for power generation, but the
International Atomic Energy Agency has criticised Iran for a
lack of transparency over its programme, while the US and its
allies suspect the Iranian leadership is using an ostensibly
civil programme as a front for developing nuclear weapons.

British officials are concerned that hawks are winning the
debate in Washington with claims that the only way to hinder
Iran's development of nuclear arms is to launch air strikes
against suspected weapons development sites.

But today's report, Time to talk - the case for diplomatic
solutions on Iran, sponsored by the Oxford Research Group, the
Foreign Policy Centre and Oxfam among others, argues that
military action would have far-reaching negative consequences.

The authors say it would strengthen Iranian nuclear ambitions,
create even greater instability in the region, especially Iraq
and Afghanistan, further inflame the "war on terror", and
exacerbate insecurity over energy supplies, damaging the global
economy. They say it could cause long-term environmental damage
by releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere, and cause
significant civilian casualties.

The report argues there is still a lot of room for diplomacy,
particularly bilateral discussions between Washington and
Tehran. The Bush administration has repeatedly said it will only
hold such talks once the Iranian government has agreed to stop
uranium enrichment.

Its authors say that Iranian security concerns should be taken
into account in comprehensive negotiations. "The idea of a
'Grand Bargain' should not be dismissed outright. Real
diplomatic options still exist, if a face-saving solution can be
found to convince the protagonists to approach the table," the
report states.

"The possible consequence of military action could be so serious
that governments have a responsibility to ensure that all
diplomatic options have been exhausted. At present, this is not
the case."

US supporters of a tough line towards Tehran argue that the
repercussions from air strikes are being exaggerated and that
those who play up their negative consequences are undermining
western leverage on Iran. Sir Richard Dalton responded: "This is
not taking the military option off the table ... But I think
military action should be a last resort. Meanwhile, there is
time for diplomacy."
 
[UP] 
		 	 	   
Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 8 Reuters: Attacking Iran would be a disaster - report

Sun 4 Feb 2007 7:01 PM ET

 LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Military action against Iran would
have disastrous consequences, according to a report released on
Monday by a coalition of British-based think-tanks, faith groups
and others who urged a new diplomatic push to avert conflict.

 The United States and Israel have stepped up their rhetoric
against Tehran in recent weeks, prompting speculation they could
be preparing for military attacks on the Islamic state.

 Washington has sent a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf, a
move seen as a warning to Iran, which the United States accuses
of seeking atomic arms and fuelling instability in Iraq and
elsewhere in the Middle East. Iran denies the charges.

 The joint report by 15 organisations, including the Foreign
Policy Centre, Oxfam and the Muslim Council of Britain, said an
attack on Iran would, among other things, strengthen Iran's
atomic ambitions, severely undermine hopes for stability in Iraq
and damage global economic growth through higher oil prices.

 "The consequences of military action against Iran are not only
unpalatable, they are unthinkable," said Stephen Twigg, director
of the Foreign Policy Centre.

 "Even according to the worst estimates, Iran is still years
away from having a nuclear weapon. There is still time to talk,"
he said.

 Sir Richard Dalton, Britain's ambassador to Tehran from 2002 to
2006, said it was "vital that the U.S. becomes fully involved in
creative diplomacy".

 "Recourse to military action -- other than in legitimate self
defence -- is not only unlikely to work but would be a disaster
for Iran, the region and quite possibly the world," Dalton said.

 Among the unintended consequences of an attack on Iran, the
report said, would be to bolster the position of hardliners
within Iran's political system and set back the chances of
reform. It could also inspire terrorist attacks in Western
countries.

 "I think our decision makers have yet to appreciate the full
consequences of a military attack against Iran," said Ali
Ansari, director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at St
Andrews University.

 "The view held by some in Washington that all diplomatic and
political options have been exhausted is palpable nonsense that
needs to be challenged," he said.

 The report's recommendations include removing or finding a
compromise on preconditions to talks, such as the insistence
Iran suspend uranium enrichment; seeking direct talks between
Iran and the United States; and developing a "grand bargain"
package of incentives made by major world powers to Iran last
June in return for its suspension of sensitive nuclear work.

 "Only through direct U.S.-Iranian engagement can an agreement
be found and the potentially devastating consequences of
military action be avoided," it concluded.

 � Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.

*****************************************************************
 9 IRIB PERSIAN NEWS: Shahroudi urges release of diplomats 

  2007/02/04   
  
Judiciary Chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi stressed on Saturday
that America should immediately release the kidnapped Iranian
consular officials in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil without
any pretext.
 
Shahroudi made the emphasis in a meeting with the Head of the
Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI),
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.
 
He urged all Iraqi political groups, officials and nation to
make efforts to establish security in Iraq, saying, "Security of
Iraq and its future should be delegated to its people. There is
no need for presence of foreign forces in Iraq. The Iraqi peop
le should prepare the ground for withdrawal of foreigners from
their country by strengthening their solidarity and unity and
cooperating in establishment of security."
 
Pointing to growing military presence in Iraq, Shahroudi added,
"Under the current circumstances, America intends to disturb the
future situation in Iraq by increasing its troops and take
control of its affairs."
 
He said the Baathist remnants of the former iraqi regime and
terrorist groups including al Qaeda intend to cause insecurity
and discord in Iraq.
 
M.H.Z   

  Copyright 2004, All Rights Reserved By Islamic Republic of Iran 
Broadcasting News Network Sponsored By IRIB News Computer Center. 
E-Mail: Info@IRIBNEWS.ir     
*****************************************************************
 10 AFP: Iran's Larijani participant in Munich conference 

 Mon Feb 5, 8:18 AM ET 		 	 

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran" /> Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali 
Larijani says he will take part in a major annual security 
conference to be held in Munich this weekend. 

 "We hope that we can have good talks and negotiations," Larijani 
was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency as he confirmed his 
attendance. 

When asked if he would have any talks with US officials on the
sidelines of the event, Larijani said: "No." 

The US delegation attending the conference will be led by the
new US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. 

Often dubbed the "Davos of the security world," the 43rd Munich
Conference on Security Policy will be held from February 9 to
11. 

Top-ranking politicians including Russian President Vladimir
Putin" /> Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU
foreign policy chief Javier Solana will attend. 

The conference is set to highlight transatlantic security issues
at a time of mounting Western frustration over Iran's nuclear
programme. 

A defiant Iran has been pressing ahead with its atomic drive
despite Western demands for it to freeze sensitive activities. 

Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council,
said talks on Iran's nuclear case would be "useful." 

"We have always stressed that we want to resolve the issue by
negotiations. But at the same time, I cannot have any judgement
now." 

Copyright � 2007 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 11 AFP: Iran to test new uranium enrichment plant soon - diplomats -

 by Michael Adler Mon Feb 5, 6:54 PM ET 		 	 

VIENNA (AFP) - Iran" /> has set up over 300 centrifuges in an 
underground nuclear plant and will test them soon as it moves 
towards industrial-level enrichment of uranium in defiance of UN 
demands, diplomats told AFP. 

 The diplomats were speaking after reports last week that Iran
has begun the installation of 3,000 centrifuges in a huge
underground bunker at its main nuclear facility in the central
town of Natanz. 

"The Iranians have put together at least two cascades
(production lines)," of 164 centrifuges each, said a diplomat
who closely monitors both Iran and the Vienna-based UN watchdog
International Atomic Energy Agency" /> (IAEA). 

IAEA inspectors were in Natanz last week. 

"It is a matter of hours, or of days, before the Iranians test
the centrifuges on a vacuum, prior to putting in the UF6
(uranium hexafluoride) gas used to make enriched uranium," said
the diplomat on condition of anonymity. 

A second diplomat said he doubted the Iranian leaders would wait
as long as the anniversary celebrations for the Islamic
revolution on February 11, when they were expected to make a
major announcement on their nuclear programme. 

The escalation in the international showdown over an Iranian
nuclear programme which the United States says hides a secret
weapons programme comes after the UN Security Council imposed
sanctions in December to force Tehran to halt enrichment, which
makes fuel for nuclear power reactors but also, at high levels
of refinement, the explosive material for atom bombs. 

Washington has said it will await a report from IAEA chief
Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear programme, expected to be
released on February 21, before drawing any conclusions about
Iran's reported activities. 

Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said on Saturday
that the country continues to install centrifuges for uranium
enrichment but he refused to give the timetable and details. 

"Of course, we planned for (the installation of) additional
centrifuges and we continue the work," Soltanieh told a press
conference after several ambassadors from IAEA non-aligned
countries toured a nuclear site in Isfahan that makes the
feedstock gas for enrichment. 

Iranian officials have declared that the country was set to
complete the installation in Natanz by the end of the current
Iranian year (March 20) but experts think it may take longer. 

Iran is building cascades in units of 164 centrifuges each and
already has two such cascades running above-ground at a pilot
enrichment plant at Natanz, producing only small amounts of
enriched uranium. 

But 3,000 centrifuges in the underground plant, protected in a
bunker from possible air attack, could produce enough highly
enriched uranium for one bomb in nine to 11 months, the London
IISS think-tank has said. 

Iran has told the IAEA it eventually wants to install over
50,000 centrifuges in Natanz. 

Iran could be only two or three years away from being able to
produce a nuclear weapon, IISS director John Chipman said last
week. 

Diplomats said Iran had last week stopped UN inspectors from
installing surveillance cameras at the underground Natanz site,
where the Iranians had announced the start of preliminary work
in February 2006. 

The Iranians are "not allowing the IAEA to install the cameras
inside the cascade halls in Natanz," keeping "the installation
of cameras only outside the cascade halls, which will not enable
the IAEA to monitor the entire uranium enrichment process," a
diplomat said. 

The IAEA monitors the above-ground pilot site with cameras and
is entitled to the same presence at the underground facility. 

But the Iranians "have not yet introduced nuclear material
(feedstock uranium gas) into the centrifuges at the underground
site, so there is still time" to get IAEA access, another
diplomat said. 	 		 			

Copyright � 2007 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 12 IRNA: Iran's scientific achievements to serve all nations - president -

Tehran, Feb 5, IRNA                                                                                                              

Iran-President-Drug 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Monday stressed that Iran's 
research and scientific achievements will serve all nations.

 He made the remark while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a 
recombinant drug production complex of Iran's Pasteur Institute 
Monday morning.

 "We will not make use of our scientific achievements as a tool 
to plunder other nations," he added.

 The world should know that the Iranian nation is a friend of all 
nations, the president said adding that all Iran's achievements 
belong to the entire human beings.

 Referring to the recombinant drug production project as a major
step toward the country's scientific and health development, he
said, the complex is a gift from the Iranian officials and
scientists to the regional nations.

 Congratulating the Iranian people on this scientific 
development, the president also lauded efforts by Cuban 
scientists and researchers who were working on the project along 
with their Iranian co-researchers.

 Terming Iran-Cuba ties as "very friendly and amicable", he said
the two countries enjoy close bilateral cooperation in all
fields, including scientific and medical sectors.

 The project opened a new stage in Tehran-Havana scientific and
research relations, he said, calling for continuation of such
cooperation.

 On his recent meeting with Cuban Leader Fidel Castro, President
Ahmadinejad said Castro is the vanguard of resistance against
expansionist policies of imperialism.

 As to the celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the
victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he said the Islamic
Revolution is a means for salvation of all world nations.

 "The Islamic Revolution belongs to all world people and is the
messenger of love, peace, tranquility, cooperation and sincerity
for all nations," the president reiterated.

 During this year's celebrations, significant industrial and
research victories of the Iranian nation will be announced, he
added.

 Prior to President Ahmadinejad's speech, Health Minister Kamran
Baqeri Lankarani briefed the audience on great efforts made by
the scientists in the past 11 years leading to inauguration of
the recombinant drug production complex today.
*****************************************************************
 13 UPI: Analysis: Russia embraces Iranian energy
     
 United Press International - Energy - 

2/5/2007 11:26:00 AM -0500

 By DEREK SANDS UPI Energy Correspondent

CAIRO, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Despite mounting U.S. and international
pressure on Tehran's nuclear program, the United States holds
little chance of discouraging Russia from pursuing energy
cooperation with the cash-strapped but oil- and gas-rich Iran. 

Russia wants Iranian oil and natural gas, and while concerns
over Tehran's nuclear program may affect relations in the
future, for the time being Moscow is not hesitating to invest in
energy exploration and production in Iran. 

LUKoil, the largest Russian oil company, agreed in January to
take over development of the 26 billion-barrel Azadegan oil
field. Japanese oil company INPEX had contracted for a 75
percent stake in the field, but under pressure from the United
States, dropped its share to 10 percent at the end of last year. 

And in December Russian media reported that Tehran and Moscow
would pursue a joint venture to develop natural gas deposits in
the two countries. 

Iran is desperate for investment in its energy sector. Domestic
shortages in January forced it to stop contracted shipments of
natural gas to Turkey, despite holding the world's
second-largest proven gas reserves, more than 950 trillion cubic
feet, or about 16 percent of the world's total. Iranian oil
production is suffering as well, though it has 10 percent of the
world's reserves. 

Russia and Iran, the world's top two producers of natural gas,
may be teaming up in other ways. Russian President Vladimir
Putin said on Thursday that Moscow would consider a natural gas
cartel with Iran. 

The cooperation comes as the United States steps up pressure on
Iran, moving a second carrier battle group into the Persian Gulf
and invoking increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Tehran.
Washington blames Iran for contributing to the violence in Iraq,
as well as for continuing to pursue technology and expertise
that would allow it to make nuclear weapons. 

Iran is not the only one feeling U.S. attempts to isolate the
country, according to Farideh Farhi, a political science
professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa, and an expert on
Iranian policy. 

"Moscow has been under pressure for years from the United States
regarding all its dealings with Iran, ranging from arms to
nuclear technology and now possibly energy. It has tried to deal
with the conflicting pulls of the desire for improved relations
with the United States and maintaining Iran as a 'stable partner
for a long time' (Putin's words) by responding to U.S. demands
during critical moments, while at the same time safeguarding its
strategic and economic interests in Iran, a country that has
been an important market for Russian goods, nuclear technology
and conventional armament, and a supporter of Russian policies
in Central Asia and Caucasus," Farhi said. 

But according to Kent Moors, director of the Energy Policy
Research Group at Duquesne University and an expert on Russian
and Caspian energy policy, this pressure is unlikely to affect
Russia's energy business with Iran. 

"Moscow concluded some time ago that the U.S. has limited
options in preventing Russian or other foreign dealings
concerning Iranian oil and gas projects," Moors said. 

Direct pressure on Russia also seems unlikely to change its
behavior. 

"The U.S. at this point cannot force Russia to do anything.
However, if there are substantive indications that Iran has
moved into a new phase of nuclear enrichment (having stockpiled
enough enriched gas, for example), Moscow will pull back. Russia
does not want a nuclear armed Iran any more than we do," Moors
said. 

Discussions between Moscow and Tehran on oil and gas development
are ongoing, but these talks will be unable to ignore Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's insistence the country develop a
full nuclear cycle. 

"The nuclear issue is certainly a part of the discussions.
Russia has been building the nuclear reactor at Bushehr and
would like to build several more of the same capacity in Iran.
At the same time, however, Moscow has been supportive of western
approaches to monitor any potential applications for an arms
program. Russia has offered to purify and dispose of nuclear
fuel for Iranian reactors so as to deter concerns over usage.
The most likely scenario is an agreement between the two
countries which is vague enough to allow Moscow to say it is
supporting the western approach while Ahmadinejad can still
utilize his rhetoric," Moors said. 

The United Nations passed mild sanctions against Iran in
December over its nuclear program, while the United States,
along with a number of European countries, has been pressuring
Iran to abandon its ambitions to master the nuclear fuel cycle
and enrich uranium to a level suitable for nuclear weapons. Iran
has argued that it needs all components of the fuel cycle to
ensure nuclear energy independence, and that it has the right to
develop the skills and technology. 

In a compromise solution, Russia has offered to provide nuclear
fuel to Iran, and remove the spent fuel. But Iran has insisted
it will master the technology needed to provide its own fuel, a
technology that could also be used for bomb-making. 

Much of Iran's desperation for outside investment in its energy
sector comes as a result of more than a decade of U.S. sanctions
on businesses hoping to work in Iran. 

U.S. oil and gas companies are legally barred from doing
business in Iran, a requirement that has stopped U.S. companies
from operating there. But in the past, the United States has not
invoked parts of a U.S. law that could sanction U.S.
subsidiaries of foreign companies that invest more than $20
million in Iranian energy development. 

That may change. Last week the U.S. State Department said it may
look into a deal by Royal Dutch Shell and others to spend
billions of dollars developing the enormous Iranian South Pars
natural gas field. 

Despite such rhetoric, it appears unlikely that new sanctions
against foreign companies will take place, Moors said. 

"It is a little late to apply the sanctions after several dozen
projects have been allowed to move forward. Still, if there is a
more direct connection between an oil/gas project and a nuclear
arms program, there will be considerable pressure brought to
bear by Washington against the home government of the company in
question. D.C. did, after all, persuade Japanese INPEX to cut
its position in the Iranian Azadegan field project that way,"
Moors said. 

Regardless of U.S. pressure and Russian interest, Tehran could
still try to attract European investment by other means, such as
easing requirements on investors, according to Farhi. 

"The energy talks with Russia and the suggestion of a possible
gas consortium should also be considered signals to Europe that
Iran has other economic options available. Iran has had
difficulty in attracting investments in the energy sector but it
is not yet desperate enough to give away the store to the
Russians," Farhi said. 

� Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
*****************************************************************
 14 Guardian Unlimited: Iran Reportedly Has Unseen Uranium Units 

From the Associated Press        

[UP] 

Monday February 5, 2007 6:01 PM

By GEORGE JAHN 

Associated Press Writer 

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Technicians have assembled two small
uranium enrichment units at Iran's underground Natanz complex,
diplomats and officials said Monday. The move underscored
Tehran's defiance of a U.N. Security Council ban on the program,
which can be used to create nuclear arms. 

Speaking separately - and demanding anonymity because their
information was confidential - a diplomat accredited to the
Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency and a U.S.
official said that two cascades of 164 centrifuges connected in
series had been set up in recent days. 

The likely next step was ``dry testing'' - running the linkups
without uranium gas inside, to be followed by spinning and
re-spinning the gas until it reached required level of
enrichment - low for energy, high for the fissile core of
nuclear warheads. 

The news had been widely expected. Both the Iranian leadership
and the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency had said
recently that Tehran would start assembling the machines this
month. 

Comments last week by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
signaled that Iran would begin the installation before Feb. 11 -
the final day of nationwide celebrations in memory of the
Islamic revolution. 

In another sign that Tehran was forging ahead with plans to
create a large-scale ``pilot plant'' - 3,000 centrifuges running
in series - U.N. officials late last week told the AP that
piping, cables, control panels and air conditioning systems had
been installed at Natanz to support such a number of machines. 

Still, with Tehran under U.N. sanctions because of its refusal
to give up the program, any decision by Iran to start assembling
the so-called ``cascades'' ups the ante in Tehran's
confrontation with countries such as the United States that
believe it is trying to make nuclear weapons. 

Iran says it wants to use the technology to generate nuclear
power, but enriched uranium, the end product, can also be used
for the fissile core of nuclear warheads if it is enriched to
high-level weapons grade. A 3,000-centrifuge operation - the
cornerstone of what the Iranians say will be a large-scale
complex of 54,000 centrifuges - could be used to produce fissile
material for two bombs a year. 

IAEA officials had no comment. A U.N. official familiar with the
agency's probe of Tehran's nuclear program said, however, that
when IAEA inspectors last visited Natanz last week, no cascades
had been assembled. 

The State Department did not respond directly to the report, but
said Monday it would push for ``incremental'' U.N. Security
Council sanctions against Iran if Tehran authorities continue to
ignore council demands for suspension of the country's uranium
enrichment program. 

Spokesman Sean McCormack said that Iran appears to be continuing
``down the path of isolation.'' 

Even if Tehran successfully installs 3,000 centrifuges, experts
estimate it would still take several years for all of them to be
running smoothly. 

--- 

On the Net: International Atomic Energy Agency www.iaea.org 	 
		 	 	   
    Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 15 [NYTr] North Korea Accuses US of Preparing Attack
 
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 17:07:22 -0600 (CST)


Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

North Korea Accuses US of Preparing an Attack

Pyongyang, Feb 5 (Prensa Latina) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
reiterated denunciations on Monday that the US is preparing an attack
against it, KCNA news agency reported.

The source quoted a military source as saying that Washington has been
holding military maneuvers in South Korean territory since the beginning of
the year, using F-15 and F-18 fighter-bombers.

The US air force has practically continued its war tests since mid
November, a military escalation Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced.

North Korea has been the potential target of those maneuvers, thus
corroborating that US plans for an ostensibly preventative attack are
moving to a real theater of actions, the military source indicated.

hr dig jhb mf

PL-5
       
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*****************************************************************
 16 Korea Herald: Alternative sought for sunshine approach   
        
A group of scholars called on the South Korean government to
discard its Sunshine Policy and adopt stricter policy principles
toward North Korea, in a press conference yesterday.

 "The government's policy for North Korea has also badly
affected the North's nuclear problem. So far, the government has
sugarcoated North Korea's nuclear development as a negotiating
tool and spread the theory that the blame lies in the United
States' lack of acquiesce," Park Se-il, chairman of the Hansun
Foundation for Freedom and Prosperity, said in an opening speech.

 Also speaking at the conference were North Korean studies
professor Nam Sung-wook of Korea University and professor Kim
Il-young of Sungkyunkwan University.

 The government was wrong in saying that the Sunshine Policy was
the only way to safeguard peace, that a hard-line policy would
only prompt war and that North Korea's nuclear weapons are aimed
at the United States and not South Korea, the foundation argued. 

It also criticized the government's view that bilateral talks
between the United States and North Korea are the only way to
resolve the nuclear issue.

 "The new North Korean policy paradigm in the 21st century must
focus on transforming the communist regime into a normal state
and pursue unification based on freedom and democracy to improve
the quality of life of North Koreans," Park said.

 He said that the Unification Ministry should be downscaled into
the "Office of Inter-Korean Cooperation" and called on lawmakers
to stop using the North Korean issue in their politicking.

 The government should also apply stringent reciprocity in
inter-Korean relations and enhance cooperation with the
international community based on national consensus, he said.

 The foundation called on the United States to restore close
cooperation with Seoul and delay the transfer of wartime
operational control. It said China should not be complacent with
the status quo and instead use all leverage to resolve the
nuclear issue. 

The foundation also called on Japan to "stop seeking to become a
military power."

 (angiely@heraldm.com)

By Lee Joo-hee

2007.02.06
*****************************************************************
 17 Korea Herald: Pyongyang to demand fuel oil at nuclear talks   
        
North Korea is demanding up to 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil a
year in exchange for freezing activity at its main nuclear
facility in Yongbyon, Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported yesterday.

 The newspaper reported that North Korea is also likely to
repeat demands for a lifting of U.S. financial sanctions and to
be taken off the list of terrorist sponsor countries when the
six-party talks reconvene later this week. 

But a high-rank South Korean official downplayed the report,
saying that he has not "heard such (N.K.) demands from officials
of the United States or Japan.

 "Heavy fuel oil is an option that is 'opened' as it can be
provided if the five members including South Korea, the United
States, China, Russia and Japan agree on it systematically,
legally and technically," the official said instead on condition
of anonymity.

 The newspaper cited Joel Wit, a former U.S. State Department
official who coordinated the Agreed Framework in 1994, and David
Albright, president and founder of the Institute for Science and
International Security. The two had visited North Korea last
week and met North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan.

 Quoting the American officials, the newspaper said the North
Korean delegation will agree to freeze its nuclear related
facilities in Yongbyon and allow the return of International
Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to recommence surveillance as
the first stage of denuclearization at the upcoming six-party
talks this Thursday.

 The reported offer and demand by the North resembles the Agreed
Framework signed between the United States and North Korea in
1994. Following the agreement, North Korea froze its Yongbyon
reactor in return for the construction of two light-water
reactors and interim fuel supplies.

 The deal, however, broke down in 2002 when Washington accused
North Korea of developing a secret uranium enrichment program. 

The Yongbyon complex produces spent fuel that can be reprocessed
to create plutonium for a nuclear weapon. 

The paper said North Korea appears to have invited U.S.
officials to up their bargaining stake by highlighting their
offer.

 With the chief nuclear negotiators forecasting a productive
outcome, what North Korea will demand once the negotiations
start is considered the key point.

 "We do have some reason to believe we can make some progress"
on implementing the agreement and see "some changes actually
take place on the ground," top U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill
told reporters after he arrived in Seoul over the weekend.

 Hill was in Seoul to meet his South Korean counterpart Chun
Yung-woo to finalize their coordinated position before heading
to Beijing for the negotiations. 

Hill leaves for Japan today.

 According to the Asahi, the North is prepared to shut down the
reactor in its main nuclear facility and accept inspections, but
the reactor itself would remain off limits. In addition, the
North does not plan to close the site used for weapons testing,
nor would it allow inspectors there. 

The United States and its allies have been careful to emphasize
that while the first step agreement may look like the 1994
agreement, the agreement would be preconditioned with follow-up
measures that would eventually get North Korea to fully
dismantle all existing nuclear programs.

 The South Korean official said North Korea was unlikely to
demand light-water reactors at the first stage of implementation
discussions as such reactors would only be provided when the
North becomes nuclear-free.

 In September 2005, North Korea and the other five negotiating
partners - South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and
Russia - agreed on a set of principles for North Korea to
denuclearize in return for security guarantees, normalization of
ties, and economic and energy aids.

 The follow-up negotiation hit a snag when North Korea boycotted
the talks citing the U.S. Treasury Department's labeling of a
Macau bank as a conduit for counterfeit dollars allegedly
produced in North Korea. 

Signs of progress began to emerge as financial officials from
Washington and Pyongyang began to discuss the issue on the
sidelines of the nuclear negotiations last December, and
bilateral contacts between the nuclear negotiators became more
frequent.

 "A lot of what the DPRK needs to do is to begin to work on
getting a better reputation in banking circles, and to get out
of some practices which, I think, have been very harmful to
their reputation," Hill said referring to the financial issue.

 DPRK is short for Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North
Korea's official name.

 At the bilateral talks in Seoul, Hill and Chun agreed that
there must be no country that deviates from their coordinated
steps to reward North Korea when progress is made.

 Japan's Kyodo News reported yesterday that the Japanese
government will not participate in food and energy aid to the
North, even if progress toward denuclearization is made at the
next six-party talks.

 The news report said that the Japanese government believed such
measures would be premature while there are no developments in
the kidnapping controversy with North Korea. 

For domestic politics, solving the controversy over North
Korea's kidnapping of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s
is considered as crucial as the nuclear negotiation.
(angiely@heraldm.com)

By Lee Joo-hee

2007.02.05
*****************************************************************
 18 Korea: Digital Chosunilbo: Washington, Seoul 'Mulling Energy Aid for N.Korea' 
 
Updated Feb.5,2007 12:25 KST   
 
South Korea and the U.S. have reportedly agreed to discuss 
providing heavy fuel oil to North Korea if the North undertakes 
to start dismantling its nuclear program under a statement of 
principles singed in September 2005. The two did not discuss 
provision of heavy oil ahead of the next round of six-party 
nuclear talks with North Korea which opens in Beijing on Feb. 8, 
the U.S. top nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said after a dinner 
meeting with his South Korean counterpart Chun Young-woo. But he 
pointed out that the 2005 statement of principles contains 
provisions on fuel and economic aid to Pyongyang. 

A South Korean government official said the provision of heavy
oil depends on what North Korea does. The official told
reporters that no one would be taken aback if the provision of
heavy fuel oil to North Korea resumes, since the North was
already given heavy oil supplies as a reward once. Supply of
heavy oil could resume in two or three months if the five
countries--South Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and
Russia--agree. The issue will be who shoulders the burden of
paying for it, as a series of news reports say Washington and
Tokyo are less than enthusiastic. 

The U.S. supplied 500,000 tons of heavy oil a year to North
Korea until the second nuclear crisis in 2002, which the South
Korean government estimates cost US$150 million. Japan��s Asahi
Shimbun quoted Joel Wit, a former State Department official, as
saying North Korea would demand 500,000 tons of heavy oil a year
or a corresponding amount of electricity until it is given a
light-water nuclear reactor and will not agree to scrap its
nuclear program until then. 

(englishnews@chosun.com ) 

*****************************************************************
 19 Korea: Digital Chosunilbo: We Know Northing About North Korea by Park Doo-sik 
 
  Home> Editorials/Columns    Updated Feb.5,2007 10:58 KST   

  How much do we know about North Korea? This is a question this
reporter has had in mind since the rumor about Kim Jong-il being
in confinement started circulating about 10 days ago. The story
caused a commotion on Jan. 24, when a publisher disseminated
about 5,000 copies of an advertising leaflet printed in the form
of an extra edition of a newspaper. Headlined "Kim Jong-il under
Confinement,�� it carried a mock interview with U.S. chief
nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill and Seoul citizens, making
it look like a true story. 

For about three days, newspapers were inundated with phone calls
asking about the truth of the story. It aroused curiosity not
only from ordinary citizens but from foreign diplomats in Seoul
as well. On the evening of Jan. 25, a day after the leaflet was
distributed, at a reception in honor of Australia Day in Seoul,
the story was the talk of the diplomatic community. It
snowballed when Japan's Jiji Press reported, "South Korean and
U.S. intelligence authorities are trying to confirm the rumor
that something has happened to Kim Jong-il." The commotion came
to a stop when the South Korean government dismissed the rumor
and the North Korean media carried pictures of Kim Jong-il. 

But it clearly shows just how much we don't know about North
Korea and how vulnerable we are to North Korean variables. An
American diplomat said the problem is that what we know about
North Korea is usually the outcome of deduction and guesswork
based on satellite observations, telecommunication monitoring,
information from spies and past experience. In short, we are in
no position to boast 100 percent accurate information about
anything in North Korea. On Oct. 9 last year, when North Korea
conducted a nuclear test, the director of the National
Intelligence Service, who was at a National Assembly session,
said, "There are no signs of a nuclear test." That shows the
limits we face. 

Now there are rumors in political circles that North Korea will
do whatever it takes to influence this year's presidential
election. That is the "North Korean variable" there. But
opposition Grand National Party members regard North Korean
intervention as a constant, not a variable. Rumors of a
terrorist attack on a presidential candidate by North Korea, an
inter-Korean summit, and North Korean attempts to build anti-GNP
solidarity are rampant. At a GNP seminar on Friday, former vice
unification minister Song Young-dae went so far as to say, "In
all probability, this year's presidential election will be a
competition not between ruling and opposition parties, but
between the ruling camp supported by North Korea and opposition
parties." 

Here again, if we knew North Korea's intentions, we could make
an accurate calculation about North Korean variables in the
presidential election and allay worries and concerns. But we
can't, because we don't. 

North Korea seems to be enjoying the situation. In a uniform
editorial published on New Year's Day, North Korean papers
stressed the need to "stage a struggle to deter the GNP and
conservative forces from taking power." In recent days, North
Korea has said it cannot afford to consider the GNP ��plot�� to
regain power an internal affair for South Korea. It is rare for
North Korea to utter such threats in a presidential election in
the South. 

The only force that can prevent the proliferation of North
Korean variables is the South Korean government. But the Roh
Moo-hyun administration has been effectively looking on it with
folded arms. The only response from the government came from
Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung about a month ago. He merely
said, "I don't understand why North Korea mentioned the GNP and
the presidential election in an editorial carried on New Year's
Day. It��s highly regrettable." The government's silence is
causing more speculation -- talk about North Korean support for
the ruling party is one example. The rumor that it is in cahoots
with North Korea may have caused a nationwide uproar, but the
ruling camp only has kept silent. People wonder why. 

(englishnews@chosun.com ) 

*****************************************************************
 20 AFP: No aid to NKorea without clear compromise - Japan

 Mon Feb 5, 2:20 AM ET

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan has warned it will not provide any assistance 
to North Korea" /> unless the reclusive state takes concrete 
steps to give up its nuclear weapons. 

 Asked if Japan would offer aid of any kind to Pyongyang, Chief
Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said: "First it must aim at
denuclearisation." 

"And the most important thing is what concrete steps it can
take. Everything will start from that point," Shiozaki, the
government spokesman, told a news conference. 

The remarks came after a weekend report in Japan's Asahi Shimbun
daily which said North Korea told US officials it wanted 500,000
tonnes of oil a year in exchange for shutting down a nuclear
reactor. 

The oil shipments were also part of a 1994 deal aimed at ending
North Korea's nuclear activity. The deal fell apart in October
2002 when the United States accused Pyongyang of running a
secret uranium enrichment programme. 

Japan, South Korea" /> and the United States funded the 1994
deal. 

Six-nation talks aimed at persuading the North to abandon its
nuclear weapons are set to resume on Thursday in Beijing. 

Shiozaki reiterated that Tokyo would again use the forum to
press North Korea on its abductions of Japanese citizens. North
and South Korea have repeatedly grown irritated when Japan
raised the row in previous six-way talks. 

"We will seek resolutions of various issues pending between
Japan and North Korea, including the abduction issue," Shiozaki
said. 

North Korea admitted in 2002 that it had abducted 13 Japanese in
the 1970s and 1980s to train spies. It returned five of them to
Japan along with their families and said the other eight had
died. 

But Japan believes they are still alive and suspects more
Japanese nationals were kidnapped and are being kept under wraps
because they know too many secrets. 

Copyright � 2007 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 21 AFP: US envoy seeks 'good start' from NKorea talks 

 Mon Feb 5, 3:46 PM ET 		 	 

TOKYO (AFP) - US negotiator Christopher Hill said North Korea" /> 
had to make a "good start" in giving up its nuclear weapons if it 
wanted to reap the economic benefits. 

 Hill, visiting Tokyo ahead of six-nation disarmament talks
starting Thursday in Beijing, did not rule out a weekend
Japanese press report saying that Pyongyang was demanding oil
shipments to suspend a key reactor. 

But Hill said assistance would come only by implementing a
September 2005 deal in which the communist state agreed in
principle to give up its nuclear programme. 

"If you look at the September statement, of course, it is
envisioned there will be some economic assistance and energy
assistance," Hill told reporters at Haneda airport. 

"But what I want to stress is that for us the question is we
must implement the full September statement, meaning that the
DPRK must get out of this nuclear business entirely," Hill said,
using the North's official name, the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea. 

"What we like to do is to make a good start in implementing that
statement," he said of this week's session. 

The six-way talks -- involving China, Japan, the two Koreas,
Russia and the United States -- resumed in December after a gap
of more than a year in which North Korea tested an atom bomb for
the first time. 

The December round yielded little concrete progress, but Hill
has sounded upbeat after rare one-on-one talks with his
counterpart Kim Kye-Gwan last month in Berlin. 

"For months and months we have talked abut a statement that
exists only on paper. And what we are looking for in Beijing is
just to see if we can move that statement from the paper onto
the ground," Hill said. 

Copyright � 2007 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 22 Guardian Unlimited: Report: N.Korea Considering Concessions 

From the Associated Press        

[UP] 

Monday February 5, 2007 8:01 AM

AP Photo SEL104, SEL801 

By BO-MI LIM 

Associated Press Writer 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea is ready to freeze its
main nuclear facility and ultimately dismantle its nuclear
program but only in exchange for energy assistance, a
pro-Pyongyang newspaper reported Monday. 

North Korea has told other countries involved in the nuclear
talks that it could freeze the reactor at its nuclear complex in
Yongbyon and accept International Atomic Energy Agency
inspections, according to the Choson Sinbo, a Korean-language
newspaper based in Japan that has links to the Pyongyang
government. 

The communist North's willingness to shut down the reactor ``is
based on the premise that it will be dismantled,'' the report
said, citing a diplomatic source close to six-nation nuclear
talks that are set to resume Thursday in Beijing. 

However, North Korea ``will begin its actions when the right
conditions are created,'' the Choson Sinbo report said,
referring to the North's demand that light-water reactors - a
type more difficult to be converted for military purpose - be
provided in return for disarmament. 

The North should also be provided with ``substitute energy''
until the reactors are built, according to the report. 

On Sunday, Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported the North
plans to demand more than 500,000 tons of crude oil a year in
exchange for shutting down it nuclear reactor and allowing
limited IAEA inspections. The report cited Joel Wit, a former
U.S. State Department official who met chief North Korean arms
negotiator Kim Kye Gwan and other senior officials in Pyongyang. 

The reports come ahead of intensified diplomacy ahead of the
resumption of international talks on the North Korean nuclear
program, which also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea
and the United States. 

U.S. envoy Christopher Hill said in Seoul on Sunday that North
Korea must fulfill its pledge to fully dismantle its nuclear
program. 

``Frankly, we cannot accept anything less than 100 percent
implementation of the September statement,'' he said referring
to a 2005 pledge in which the North agreed to give up its
nuclear program in exchange for aid and security guarantees.
``The ultimate task for us is to complete denuclearization.'' 

Hill is to travel to Japan later Monday. 

There has been increased optimism lately that concrete progress
can be made at the next round of nuclear negotiations, with
officials saying enough goodwill has been created between the
United States and North Korea over a financial dispute that has
been a stumbling block to the disarmament talks. 

North Korea has strongly protested the U.S. campaign to sever
the communist nation's access to the international financial
system for alleged counterfeiting and money laundering. 
		 	 	   
Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 23 Guardian Unlimited: N.Korea Urged to Get Out of the Nuke Biz

From the Associated Press        

[UP] 

Monday February 5, 2007 10:46 AM

AP Photo SEL104, SEL801 

By HIROKO TABUCHI 

Associated Press Writer 

TOKYO (AP) - North Korea must ``get out of the nuclear business
entirely,'' the chief U.S. negotiator said Monday, adding he
believed Pyongyang ``was prepared to negotiate'' at the coming
arms talks in Beijing. 

Christopher Hill refused to comment on news reports that the
North is prepared to freeze a key nuclear reactor and accept
inspectors in exchange for 500,000 tons of heavy oil. 

``For us, the question is that we must implement the full
September statement. The DPRK (North Korea) must get out of the
nuclear business entirely,'' Christopher Hill told reporters in
Tokyo, referring to a 2005 pledge in which the North agreed to
give up its nuclear program in exchange for aid and security
guarantees. 

Hill added he believed Pyongyang ``would come prepared to
negotiate'' after more than a year of stalled talks, but refused
to elaborate. 

Hill, who arrived here from Seoul, was to meet with Japanese
officials before leaving on Wednesday. The next round of talks
is to start in Beijing on Thursday among delegates of the two
Koreas, China, Japan, the U.S. and Russia. 

``The purpose of the exercise is to stop the North Koreans from
operating this terrible nuclear reactor, and telling us about
the programs they have so we can begin to see that those
programs are dismantled and abandoned,'' he said. ``We need to
get going on denuclearization.'' 

Japan's Asahi newspaper reported Sunday that North Korea plans
to demand more than 500,000 tons of crude oil a year in exchange
for shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and allowing
limited inspections. The report cited Joel Wit, a former U.S.
State Department official who met chief North Korean arms
negotiator Kim Kye Gwan and other senior officials in Pyongyang,
North Korea's capital. 

Japan's top government spokesman said Monday that Tokyo is not
studying any specific demand by North Korea for oil in exchange
for shutting down a reactor and allowing international
inspections. 

``We have absolutely no plans to provide energy support for
North Korea over the nuclear issue,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yasuhisa Shiozaki was quoted by Kyodo News agency as saying. 

North Korea was promised two light-water reactors under a 1994
deal to freeze its nuclear program, along with an annual supply
of 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil until the reactors were built.
The deal was scrapped in 2002 when the nuclear crisis re-emerged
and North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors. 

The reports come amid intensified diplomacy ahead of the
resumption of talks on North Korea's nuclear program. 

There has been increased optimism lately that concrete progress
can be made at the next round of nuclear negotiations, with
officials saying enough goodwill has been created between the
United States and North Korea over a financial dispute that has
been a stumbling block to the disarmament talks. 

North Korea has strongly protested the U.S. campaign to sever
the communist nation's access to the international financial
system for alleged counterfeiting and money laundering. 
		 	 	   
Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007
*****************************************************************
 24 toledoblade.com: Energy strategy in Ohio's future
 
Article published Monday, February 5, 2007

 ALTERNATIVE POWER SOURCES A CENTRAL COMPONENT OF PLAN

  [Photo] 
Solar panels at Crim Elementary. 

By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER
 
Ohio may not be far behind Michigan in developing a statewide
energy plan, even if the two states take different paths toward
similar goals.

 
Gov. Ted Strickland's Jan. 17 appointment of Mark Shanahan as
his energy adviser - a job created that day by executive order -
is viewed by environmental groups as a commitment to a
comprehensive energy strategy Ohio has never pursued.

 With the prospect of $3-a-gallon gasoline prices returning
someday, plus more uncertainty over fluctuating energy markets
as the war in Iraq lingers, politicians are voicing calls for
energy independence. President Bush, long linked to the oil
industry, urged more conservation, more nuclear power, more
clean-coal research, and the development of ethanol and other
alternatives in his recent State of the Union address.

 Mr. Shanahan has for years served as executive director of the
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, a state agency that
helps businesses comply with air pollution regulations. He said
he will continue in that role while serving as Mr. Strickland's
energy adviser.

  [Photo] 
'Energy is a very high priority,' says Mark Shanahan, Gov. Ted
Strickland's energy adviser, who will look into such alternative
sources as solar panels like those at Crim Elementary. 


"Obviously, energy is a very high priority," Mr. Shana-han said.
"It was throughout the campaign."

 Upon issuing his executive order, Mr. Strickland said he is
"convinced that we can create thousands of good-paying jobs by
encouraging next-generation energy production in Ohio including
ethanol, clean coal, wind, and solar."

 Ohio has been ranked second to California for that type of
potential job growth, according to the Government Accountability
Office. Northwest Ohio is seen as a ripe area because of its
available work force, manufacturing base, and transportation
network.

 In the fall of 2005, a nonprofit institute called Policy
Matters Ohio cited a potential for 22,000 new jobs if an
alternative energy boom materializes.

 
  [Photo] 
Wind turbines along U.S. 6 in Bowling Green. 


The Washington-based Brookings Institution on Oct. 23 concluded
the Great Lakes region is poised to become a dominant
manufacturing hub for wind and solar power, plus other forms of
alternative energy.

 If Ohio chooses that path, which Michigan appears to be headed
on, Mr. Strickland will need some political finesse. Republicans
still control both Ohio legislative chambers.

 Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday received a plan by
J. Peter Lark, Michigan's public service commission chairman,
that calls for at least 10 percent of that state's retail
electricity to come from renewables by 2015.

 The Lark document, called Michigan's 21st Century Energy Plan,
is subject to approval by that state's Legislature.

 It would enable Michigan to become the 24th state, along with
the District of Columbia, to adopt such a diversified energy
standard. Colorado in the fall of 2004 became the first state to
get one adopted by the general public via a voter referendum.
Colorado's plan also calls for 10 percent renewables by 2015.

 Although he is a long way from making recommendations about how
Ohio can meet its energy needs, Mr. Shanahan said he is
impressed by Pennsylvania's "advanced technology" model, which
doesn't necessarily stop with renewables.

 He said it includes a component for clean-coal research, which
could be vital for Ohio.

 The state gets most of its electricity from coal-fired power
plants. It has vast supplies of coal it cannot use because of
its high sulfur content.

 Developing cleaner methods of burning coal and finding better
ways to capture emissions will be a "critical part of the
political negotiations," Mr. Shanahan said.

 "We need to encourage clean coal as much as we need to
encourage renewables," he said.

 Ohio's path should be defined before the rate-stabilization
plan that locks in basic electric rates expires at the end of
2008, Mr. Shanahan said.

 Erin Bowser, director of Environment Ohio, formerly the
environmental unit of the Ohio Public Interest Research Group,
said she would like to see 10 percent of Ohio's energy come from
wind power alone within a decade.

 Wind currently accounts for a fraction of 1 percent.

 "We're going to miss the boat on jobs and manufacturing if we
don't get started soon," she said.

 She encouraged Ohio to look to its eastern neighbor, as well.

 Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell on Thursday announced a new energy
initiative that is supposed to save consumers $10 billion over
10 years while reducing the Keystone state's reliance on foreign
fuels. It promotes alternative fuel, clean energy, and
conservation.

 Called the Energy Independence Strategy, the initiative calls
for the creation of an $850 million fund to accomplish those and
other goals. Money for the fund is to come from an additional
charge of about 45 cents per month for average residential
customers and $3 to $10,000 per month for businesses, depending
on the size and type.

 Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com or 419-724-6079.

 The Toledo Blade Company, 541 N. Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660
, (419) 724-6000 
*****************************************************************
 25 AFP: Bush unveils mammoth 716.5 billion dollar defense request -
     
 by Jim Mannion Mon Feb 5, 3:40 PM ET 		 	 

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush" /> presented the US 
Congress with a mammoth 716.5 billion dollar budget request to 
fund large US military, including its missions in war-torn Iraq" 
/> and Afghanistan" /> . 

 Bush's defense budget, unveiled as part of a larger government
budget plan for fiscal 2008, also seeks to acquire more troops,
warships and aircraft for a major expansion of the US military. 

The defense budget request came in three pieces -- 481.4 billion
dollars for the Pentagon" /> 's 2008 base budget; 141.7 billion
dollars for the "global war on terrorism" in 2008; and 93.4
billion dollars to cover additional war costs in the current
fiscal year to September 30. 

"The sums involved in the defense budget requests are
staggering," said Representative Ike Skelton (, , ), chairman of
the House Armed Services Committee. 

"We cannot provide an adequate national defense on the cheap,
but neither can we afford to simply ratify the president's
request without performing the due diligence and oversight our
constitution requires," he said. 

The huge spending package comes amid spiking demands for US
forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, which military leaders have
warned are putting at risk the Pentagon's ability to meet
challenges elsewhere in the world. 

It marked the first time the administration has sent Congress
inclusive war-related budget requests, instead of the piecemeal
emergency funding requests it has used previously to fund
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The 141.7 billion-dollar request for waging the global war on
terror includes 70.6 billion dollars for "warfighting
operations." 

A total 4.7 billion dollars is earmarked for training and
equipping Iraqi and Afghan security forces, 15.2 billion dollars
for "force protection," including developing ways to counter
roadside bombs, or IEDs (improved explosive devices), the
biggest killer of US troops in Iraq. 

The 93.4 billion-dollar request stemming from 2007 also includes
funds for Iraq and Afghanistan, such as repairing and replacing
spent equipment, training local security forces, and developing
IED counter-measures. 

The administration is requesting a 11.3 percent boost in its
base defense budget for 2008 over this year. 

It includes a major expansion in the size of the Army and Marine
Corps that is projected to add 92,000 troops by 2012 and will
cost 12.1 billion dollars next year. 

The Army's budget would swell to 130.1 billion dollars, up 20.4
billion dollars, surpassed in size only by the Air Force. The
Marine Corps budget would grow by more than 25 percent to 20.5
billion dollars, a 4.3 billion dollar increase over this year. 

Rather than compensate with cuts in other areas, the
administration's request also adds billion of dollars to the
budgets of the Air Force and Navy, services that have played
secondary roles in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. 

The Air Force and Navy would play lead roles in countering other
potential adversaries -- nuclear-armed North Korea" /> , Iran"
/> and China, whose rapid military modernization has prompted US
worries about its intentions. 

"Recognizing that threats to US security exist beyond the war on
terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States must increase
the strength and capabilities of its forces, maintain a high
state of readiness and support, and continue strategic
modernization," the Pentagon said. 

The proposal would boost procurement spending by more than 20
billion dollars to buy fighter aircraft, electronic warfare
planes, unmanned aircraft, an aircraft carrier, destroyers, and
littoral combat ships. 

Overall procurement spending for 2008 would total 107.8 billlion
dollars, according to Pentagon projections. 

It would provide 14.4 billion dollars for shipbuilding, up 3.2
billion dollars; 27 billion dollars for aircraft, up 4.1 billion
dollars; and 3.7 billion dollars for the army's next generation
of networked ground combat vehicles. 

The proposed operations and maintenance budget would go up by
15.5 billion dollars to 164.7 billion dollars, much of it for
training land forces, air crews and to keep US warships at sea
longer. 	 		 			

Copyright � 2007 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 26 UPI: Analysis: Pentagon submits $623.1B budget

United Press International - Security &Terrorism - 

2/5/2007 5:24:00 PM -0500                                                                                                                        

 By RICHARD TOMKINS AND MARTIN SIEFF UPI Senior News Analyst

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The cost of wars and national
defense are rising for the United States. 

The Bush administration announced Monday that it was asking the
U.S. Congress to approve a budget of $623.1 billion for Fiscal
Year 2008, an increase of $27.3 billion on the $595.8 billion
defense appropriations for FY 2007. 

The Defense Department said Monday $141.7 billion for what it
described as emergencies: That category includes the Global War
on Terror and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

An additional $93.4 billion, separate from regular budget
funding, was requested as an emergency supplemental to cover the
military's operating costs in Iraq and Afghanistan for the
remainder of FY 2007. 

Those figures did not include a separate $36.4 billion request
for the operations of the Department of Homeland Security, which
is separate from the DOD. When the $38.3 billion for
international affairs and the $84.4 billion for the Department
of Veterans Affairs is added, the total "defense" budget comes
to more than $800 billion, according to Winslow Wheeler, head of
the Strauss Project for Military Reform at the Center for
Defense Information, a Washington think tank. 

The Democratic-controlled 110th Congress is expected to approve
most of the request, but not without asking some politically
charged questions first. 

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill have made clear they do not
want to run the risk of being accused of withholding essential
funding from U.S. combat forces while the war in Iraq still
rages, especially as most congressional Democrats, including
party leaders, strongly support the Bush administration in
preventing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. 

The basic budget request for the so-called "peacetime" DOD --
regular Department of Defense operations not counting the costs
of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan -- is $481.4
billion, an 11.3 percent increase over the request for FY 2007. 

The basic budget figure includes funding to increase the overall
troop strength level of the Army and Marines in FY 2008 by 7,000
and 5,000 respectively. The size increases are planned annually
until 2012, when a total of 92,000 additional troops would have
been added to overall strength levels. 

"These increases in Army and Marine Corps permanent end strength
will improve the nation's security and ensure a ready and
available war-fighting force," the Pentagon said in a news
release. "The increase will also provide longer periods of time
at home station for military personnel and their families." 

The budget request includes: 

-- Combat Operations: $70.6 billion to sustain war fighting
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including supplies, support
and maintenance of equipment. 

-- IEDs: $15.2 billion for force protection and defeating
improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, that account for most
U.S. casualties in Iraq. This figure includes $4 billion for
developing and deploying measures to defeat IEDs. 

-- Local Forces: In the effort to speed handing over security
responsibility to local forces, the FY 2008 request includes $2
billion to train and equip Iraqi security forces and to help
them achieve self-reliance. Another $2.7 billion is asked for
Afghan security forces. 

-- Coalition Forces: The Defense Department asks $1.7 billion to
help coalition allies and their military commanders on the
ground to carry out their missions. 

The above breakdown and figures do not include the $93.4 billion
requested to cover the costs of the war on terror for the
remaining period of FY 2007. Congress had previously provided
$70 billion for war costs in 2007. The Defense Department budget
request for fiscal 2008 totals $623.1 billion, broken down into
the base budget and war on terror funding requests. 

The DOD base budget request includes: 

-- Increasing Army and Marine numbers: $12.1 billion to add a
total of 12,000 soldiers and Marines to permanent end strength
levels in FY 2008. Overall ground troop strength will be
increased annually until 2012. 

-- Future Army Combat System: $3.7 billion. Major investment
areas include unmanned aerial vehicles, manned and unmanned
ground vehicles, battlefield command and control systems. 

-- Joint Maritime Capabilities: 14.4 billion, a $3.2 billion
increase over FY 2007. This figure includes money for one new
aircraft carrier, one new submarine, one amphibious assault
ship, three littoral combat vessels and the continued building
of two new destroyers.

 Story Tools:  --> Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS 

� Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights
*****************************************************************
 27 Guardian Unlimited:  Nowhere to hide?

Deep beneath Wiltshire lies an abandoned fortress, strewn with 
old bedding, rusting machinery and stationery marked 'top 
secret'. This is the Corsham bunker, where the nation's elite 
would have retreated in the event of nuclear war. Built at the 
height of cold war paranoia, it has since been left to crumble. 
So is the government still preparing for the worst? And would the 
rest of us have anywhere to shelter? Steve Boggan investigates 

Monday February 5, 2007

The Guardian             

[The Corsham bunker, built by the British government during the
cold war] 

The telephone exchange inside the huge Corsham bunker, built by
the British government at the height of cold war paranoia.

Photo: Graeme Robertson/Guardian

So this is where world war three would have been waged. And this 
is the tub in which, in between ordering retaliatory nuclear 
strikes, the prime minister would have taken a bath. There is his 
toilet, and here, in the dead centre of a 34-acre underground 
bunker in Wiltshire, is the reinforced chamber in which 
preparations for nuclear winter would have been made. As you 
stand in the torchlit cold, with the doorframes collapsing from 
dry rot and with water dripping down incipient stalactites, the 
room seems to fill with the voices of Harold Macmillan, James 
Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher, and you find yourself shivering. 
But not from the chill.

Until two years ago, the existence of this complex, variously 
codenamed Burlington, Stockwell, Turnstile or 3-Site, was 
classified. It was a huge yet very secret complex, where the 
government and 6,000 apparatchiks would have taken refuge for 90 
days during all-out thermonuclear war. Solid yet cavernous, 
surrounded by 100ft-deep reinforced concrete walls within a 
subterranean 240-acre limestone quarry just outside Corsham, it 
drives one to imagine the ghosts of people who, thank God, never 
took refuge here.

Last October, the world learned of North Korea's first
successful nuclear weapon test; today fears are growing that it
is only a question of time before Iran gets the bomb. Sometimes
it feels like we are being transported back 20 years and more,
to a time when the existence of a last-stand facility such as
Burlington was a given and to a period when we wondered not if,
but when "it" would happen.

A whole generation of young adults know nothing about living
with the promise of mutually assured destruction and of the
tragically pointless doctrine of "Protect and Survive", so we
are here to tell them what it was like. And to ask the question:
what would happen if we were attacked today?

The Corsham Tunnels began life as an underground quarry
producing what came to be known as Bath stone. Although
limestone had been mined here since Roman times, serious
quarrying took off in the years after 1837, when Isambard
Kingdom Brunel began work on Box Tunnel, a huge engineering
project that would result in the world's longest subterranean
stretch of railway on the main London to Bristol line.

Before you enter the tunnel beyond Chippenham you will see a
small industrial line branching off into the earth on the
right-hand side. This gave access to the digs. Before the second
world war, the military began using the site as the largest
munitions storage depot in Europe. And while war in Europe raged
in the early 1940s, the area to the south, known as Spring
Quarry, housed an underground aircraft engine factory, far
beyond the reach of the Luftwaffe.

After the war came the threat of nuclear weapons and, in 1956,
planning started for Burlington, the facility that would become
the government's command and control centre, and the 34-acre
site was surrounded in concrete.

During the Cuban missile crisis, when the superpowers came
within a hair's breadth of all-out war, the facility stood
ready. During the Korean war, the Berlin airlift, and
through-out the cold war, Burlington was stocked, upgraded and
improved, ready for the worst.

The need for Burlington was established in the early 1950s by
defence planners who estimated the effect of 132 atom bombs
falling on Britain. In London, they said, 422,000 would be
killed, 241,000 seriously injured. In Birmingham the numbers
were 127,000 and 72,000. In Manchester, 98,000 and 57,000. In
the Clyde area, a similar number, and so on.

In 1955, however, William Strath, head of the Central War Plans
Secretariat, reported on the effects of an attack by the much
more destructive hydrogen bomb, and the cabinet was truly
shocked.

The Strath report, which was not declassified until 2002, said:
"If no preparations of any kind had been made in advance, a
successful night attack on the main centres of population in
this country with 10 hydrogen bombs would, we estimate, kill
about 12 million people and seriously injure or disable 4
million others." At the time, that was almost a third of the
population. And, of course, there would be many more deaths as a
result of radioactive fallout. Strath was the first to point out
the unprecedented effects of thermonuclear weapons: a 10-megaton
H-bomb would devastate an area of 28 square miles.

In his seminal work on cold war nuclear planning, The Secret
State, Professor Peter Hennessy refers to a conversation between
the Russian prime minister Nikita Khrushchev and the British
ambassador to Moscow, Sir Frank Roberts, at a ballet performance
in 1961 in which they got involved in morbid banter about the
results of a thermonuclear conflict. Khrushchev said his
military planners thought "several scores of bombs" would be
targeted at Britain - not the 10 of Strath's estimates.

Strath recommended a programme of shelter building for the
population, but estimates put the cost at �1.25bn. At today's
prices, that would amount to almost �23bn. It was considered too
costly, so military planners determined that the best form of
defence was the guarantee of immediate retaliation against an
aggressor. And to do that, someone would have to be tucked away
safely ready to push the button.

Burlington is divided into 24 areas branching off concrete
routes with names like West Main Road and North West Ring Road.
There are vast stores with chairs still wrapped in brown paper,
crates of loo roll, mountains of stationery - some bearing the
words "top secret" - and thousands of chunky black telephones
from the 1960s, still in dusty cardboard boxes.

There are pots, pan scrubs, stacks of beds, and row upon row of
dour metal wardrobes that would have filled dormitories where
civil servants, typists, telephonists and maintenance workers
would have lain, wondering what had become of their families
above.

On an electric buggy that would not look out of place in the
lair of a James Bond villain, Andy Quinn, the complex manager,
takes me to visit the bunker's hospital in area 10, where
limestone is painted pastel green and pale yellow. There are
canteens with cups and saucers that have never been used. Ornate
coffee machines, still bearing their labels, sit, still shining,
in a troglodytic cafe.

In area 6 is an industrial-sized bakery. In area 16, a BBC
broadcasting studio. In area 21, five communication centres for
the intelligence services. In area 8, off East Main Road, is the
communications centre run by the civilians of the GPO - the
nationalised General Post Office - where bank upon bank of
telephone exchanges stand like dominoes waiting to be pushed
over.

Walk through a door and you see two long rows of hardwood
workstations for telephonists - 54 in all - with their
1950s-style wires and sockets, unused and strangely beautiful.
At one, a flip directory, dated January 1967, gives quick access
to vital and not so vital numbers: HQ Coastal Command, Northwood
26161; RAF Fairford, Fairford 511; Ministry of Defence,
Whitehall 7022; and, with a staggering pointlessness - unless it
was a codename for something else altogether - Portsmouth
Careers Information Centre, Portsmouth 21938.

There are enormous kitchens with squat iron stoves, labels still
on their control buttons, walk-in fridges and row upon row of
knives. There is a power station and 11 25,000-gallon fuel
tanks. There is a (now drained) reservoir and, branching outside
the perimeter to the east and west, almost 100 acres of space
containing nothing but air; the bunker's lungs.

And at the centre of it all, like the lair of a queen bee in a
hive, is area 17, with its smaller rooms, bricked from floor to
ceiling. Here, there are buttons on the walls to summon staff
and what appears to be an en-suite bedroom, the only one in the
complex. No one knows for sure, but the assumption is that this
is where the prime minister would stay. There was no provision
for his family.

From here, contact was to have been maintained with 12 regional
centres. The telephone exchanges were mechanical, not
electrical, so they would be unaffected by electromagnetic
blast. Communications cables were buried and reinforced, and the
optimistic expectation was that they would still work after the
nuclear devastation.

Across the country, burrowed closer to the surface, were 1,563
monitoring posts occupied by members of the Royal Observer
Corps. In the event of an attack, it was their job to assess the
power of individual detonations and relay information to
Burlington and regional command centres, local police,
hospitals, utility providers and other agencies. They would also
notify siren operators who would give an estimated four-minute
warning.

Local councils, too, had their underground bunkers. Some are now
used for storage. Others, such as one in Cambridge, have been
retained and upgraded, today housing "emergency planning"
facilities with half an eye on possible attacks by terrorists
using chemical or biological weapons.

After these facilities were notified of an attack - if they
didn't already know - responses would be determined by who was
left alive, but the Strath report predicted that sometimes
necessarily uncompromising martial law would be imposed.

During the 1970s and 80s, a series of pamphlets and a public
information film, under the umbrella title of Protect and
Survive, were produced, advising the populace on what to do
next. Now widely derided, it contained such advice as using
doors as indoor lean-tos to defend against fallout. In eerily
fatalistic tones, the Protect and Survive film suggested
stockpiling food and water and gave advice on how to dispose of
bodies.

Whether any of this amounted to an effective civil defence
programme is a moot point. Hennessy says it did not. "There
never was anything approaching adequate civil defence from
atomic weapons," he says. "But when the H-bomb came along, they
realised that unless they put vast amounts of money into
shelters, then it was pointless."

Critics often point to the building programmes of some
Scandinavian countries which required all new homes to be
provided with some kind of bunker-type protection. But they were
able to do this only because they were not nuclear powers. If a
nuclear state had initiated such a programme, its enemies would
have read it as a prelude to war.

"With the fall of the Berlin wall [in 1989] and the ending of
the cold war, the threat of all-out nuclear war diminished,"
continues Hennessy. "Now, of course, it would be a rogue state
or terrorists who could deliver something nasty in Europe. I
think it is more likely now than at any point in my lifetime
that the nuclear taboo could happen, but in a strange way people
have sort of learned to live with it."

Perhaps the reason for this is the expectation that an attack by
a terrorist organisation or rogue state might wipe out one city,
but would not obliterate us all. That, too, seems to be the
thinking of government.

For about six weeks I tried to find out whether there was a
modern civil defence plan to defend the public from
thermonuclear war. The Ministry of Defence said it was not its
responsibility - try the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies
Secretariat.

Not us, said the Civil Contingencies Secretariat - we coordinate
plans, but we wouldn't draw up a plan for nuclear war. Try the
Ministry of Defence. And so on.

It would appear that there is no national plan for nuclear war.
In 1989, after the Berlin wall was torn down, Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher was shown a �40m estimate for a refit of the
Corsham bunker. She refused to pay, arguing that it was no
longer necessary.

Until 1992, Corsham was maintained as a command and control
centre, just in case. In frame room 3, which boasts more
telephone switches, the last page of a maintenance log book
reads: "2/3/92. System switched off."

The Royal Observation Corps bunkers were sold off and the 12
centres of devolved control were decommissioned (although some
experts believe they never really got off the ground after the
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament disclosed their whereabouts in
the 1960s). Protect and Survive slipped into historical ignominy
and the four-minute sirens were abandoned.

One emergency planner told me: "In 1997, we were told not to
consider the possibility of nuclear war at all."

And it is by no means scandalous that there is no national plan
for war. Why should there be, when war is not looming? As part
of the government's contingency planning, it has what is called
the Domestic Horizon Scanning Committee constantly looking for
risks in the distance, and nuclear war isn't one of them at the
moment.

Instead, the most serious planning is focused on chemical,
radiological, nuclear or biological attack by terrorists. That
is our modern threat, and the planning for it is covered by the
2004 Civil Contingencies Act.

Designed to "deliver a single framework for civil protection in
the United Kingdom capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st
century", it is divided into two parts, one dealing with local
arrangements for civil protection, and one spelling out
emergency powers.

Briefly, in any major incident, ranging from an outbreak of bird
flu to the detonation of a dirty bomb, there would be two
categories of responders: the emergency services, NHS and local
authorities; and those on the periphery, such as the Health and
Safety Executive, and transport and utility companies.

Usually, a "gold commander", the most senior police officer at
the scene, would take charge. If the incident involved chemical,
biological or nuclear material, specialists with protective
clothing, vehicles and equipment from the Health Protection
Agency would become involved.

If biological weapons had been used, quarantine zones would be
set up and as many vulnerable people as possible would be given
vaccines. Laboratories at Porton Down, the former military
research centre, are permanently staffed, so blood samples could
be tested and vaccines issued.

In the event of a chemical attack, such as nerve gas, some
antidotes and medical attention could be given quickly, but
responders would be limited in what they could do. Most nerve
agents simply dissipate and, while causing high anxiety, a
single attack would probably not cause many fatalities.

Which brings us back to nuclear explosions and the associated
problem of radiation. The modern view is that terrorists would
probably go for either a dirty bomb, which would spread
radioactive material, or a small nuclear device. Responding to a
dirty bomb would involve decontamination of the site closest to
an explosion - simply put, washing an area and affected
individuals and taking away the contaminated water. Depending on
winds and the concentration of the radiation, this could affect
the health of many individuals.

A nuclear attack would kill many people, but it is unlikely that
there would be a Corsham-style bunker from which anyone could
control the situation. The assumption is that government would
continue, even if the attack were on London. Because the Civil
Contingencies Act devolves responsibilities, local and regional
teams bordering the affected area would swing into operation.
All those from the two categories of responder, and emergency
planning officers from every local authority in the country,
conduct regular exercises covering a range of scenarios, and
those I spoke to believe they are ready for almost anything.

"The threat from nuclear attack began diminishing from the time
the Berlin wall came down," says Marc Beveridge, director of the
Emergency Planning Society. "Over the past four or five years,
since 9/11, there has been a lot of work undertaken on our
abilities to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear incidents, either as accidents or acts of terrorism.

"There has been a lot of liaison between all the agencies
involved and a lot more focus on generic capabilities. There are
robust plans in place for all eventualities." He argues that
these arrangements would swing into action in a multiple nuclear
attack, and we agree to disagree that this amounts to a plan. It
is simply impossible to prepare for such devastation. Who would
be left to put the plan in place?

The emergency powers section of the Civil Contingencies Act
enables the government to make law on the hoof and to devolve
power to "regional nominated coordinators", presumably police or
military. Gun law would follow.

What would be done to safeguard the government physically is
unclear. According to a spokeswoman at the Civil Contingencies
Secretariat, Corsham has not been superseded by some new bunker.
"That's a myth," she says. Others I speak to simply smile and
chuckle.

So, would all this planning save anyone in the event of a
nuclear war? It might, but in such extremes, only the survival
of executive power would matter to government planners. There
never really was a plan to save you and me, and there never
really could be.

However, there is one piece of good news. While I was
researching this piece, one Ministry of Defence official told me
that he expected some warning mechanism would be put in place if
nuclear war became a realistic threat again.

"There would be some way to issue a five-minute warning," he
said. Five minutes? It used to be four. So, perhaps there is
progress of a kind. Now, you won't just have time to boil an egg
before you are obliterated; you'll also be able to hard-boil it.

Guardian Newspapers Limited
*****************************************************************
 28 Trident Dispatches: An Overview of the Debate (UK)

5 Minutes to Midnight

By Rebecca Johnson

Does Britain need to replace its nuclear weapons? The current
system, which comprises four nuclear submarines, around 50 U.S.
Trident D5 ballistic missiles, and up to 200 warheads similar to
the U.S. W76 (around 100 kilotons each), is good to go until
well into the 2020s. So why is British Prime Minister Tony Blair
so keen for a decision before he departs office? 

The issue was initially framed in terms of just replacing a few
aging submarines, but the assiduous lobbying of a handful of
nongovernmental organizations has turned it into a full-blown
debate on the role of nuclear weapons in defense and security
for the twenty-first century. 

After receiving strong criticism from the Parliamentary Defence
Select Committee for not cooperating in its inquiry into the
issue last year, the government finally issued a white paper,
entitled "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear
Deterrent,"to the House of Commons on December 4, 2006.
Introduced personally by Blair, the white paper argues that an
early decision must be taken to procure new nuclear submarines
to carry British nuclear weapons well beyond 2050. A vote is
expected in March, although the government has done little to
facilitate the full debate and consultations with experts and
civil society that had been promised. 

When even former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is
arguing that Cold War notions of deterrence won't work in
today's security environment, the white paper gives the
impression of being stuck in a time warp. Instead of addressing
the fundamental challenges to nuclear deterrence that Kissinger
and others have acknowledged, the British government avoids the
question by labelling British nuclear weapons "the independent
nuclear deterrent," or simply, "our deterrent." The subliminal
message is meant to reassure the British people that this isn't
a weapon that might be used, but something more benign, to
prevent use. 

The constructed illusion slips when the white paper states that
Britain's "nuclear deterrent" can be launched only on the prime
minister's authority. This reassurance was required to refute
concerns that U.S. decision makers will actually determine when
and how Britain's weapons will be used, since the
missiles--along with other technology and components--come from
the United States. However, you can't launch a deterrent--the
euphemism is defeated by its own logic. If circumstances arise
in which someone decides to authorize Trident's use, the nuclear
weapons can't have been a real deterrent in the first place!
(Calling your cat "Dog" does not confer the ability to bark.) 

As the debate heats up, it appears that much of the Labour Party
and a majority of British people believe that Blair is pushing
the wrong decision at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. The
issue is particularly contentious in Scotland. Despite opinion
polls showing that more than 70 percent of Scottish people are
against nuclear weapons in any form, Trident is deployed near
Glasgow from the Clyde naval base. In conjunction with the
nuclear submarines' home port on the Gare Loch at Faslane, the
warheads are stored at the Royal Navy Armaments Depot at
Coulport, a few miles away. Requiring frequent refurbishment,
the warheads are regularly transported to Scotland from the
nuclear laboratories at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield, near
London. 

Blair's determination to base the next generation of nuclear
submarines in Scotland is turning into a political liability for
the Scottish Labour Party, which has already seen one minister
resign over the issue. With elections for the Scottish
Parliament in May 2007, the Labour Party may lose its majority
to the Scottish National Party (SNP), which wants to get rid of
Trident. Lacking the constitutional power to determine defense
and foreign policy decisions, the SNP has said that if Trident
stays in Scotland, it will charge the British government £1
million (almost $2 million) for every nuclear warhead that is
transported to Coulport and Faslane on Scottish roads. 
TRIDENT-LITE
 

The white paper considered four options: air-launched cruise
missiles, Trident missiles on surface ships, a land-based
Trident system, and a submarine-based Trident system akin to
what is currently deployed. There was little surprise when the
government decided to go for a slightly reduced submarine-based
system with U.S. Trident D5 missiles, which it hopes to convince
Lockheed Martin to keep in production for the projected lifetime
of the British replacement, a decade longer than the Pentagon
currently envisages for the U.S. Trident system. To give the
appearance of complying with Britain's obligations under the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Blair promised a small
reduction in the ceiling of the "stockpile of operationally
available warheads"--160 rather than the present 200--and the
possibility (not yet decided) of paying for three rather than
four submarines. 

This sounds good, and indeed, several diplomats have already
commended Britain on reducing its nuclear arsenal. But they need
to read the small print to avoid being conned: This carefully
worded offer does not commit Britain to reduce the nuclear
weapons that are actually deployed, continuously armed, and
ready to launch. Moreover, the white paper explicitly rejects
the notion of de-alerting or reducing operations and patrols.
Quite the reverse, the Ministry of Defence insisted that the
British posture of deterrence requires the maintenance of fully
armed, continuous at-sea patrols. It believes that this will be
possible now with three submarines because the new design of the
on-board nuclear reactor will not require such extensive refits. 
WHY NOW?
 

The government is pushing for a March decision on the grounds
that "it will take around 17 years to design, manufacture, and
commission a replacement submarine." In fact, as pointed out in
a memorandumby U.S. nuclear experts Richard L. Garwin, Philip E.
Coyle, Theodore A. Postol, and Frank von Hippel, the current
Vanguard-class submarines have a longer life expectancy than the
25 years currently claimed by the government. 

The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in Parliament have
criticized the artificial sense of urgency and haste. The
Acronym Institutehas been at the forefront of arguing that the
question of Trident renewal be placed in the context of a
comprehensive security and defense review. This review should
start with a reappraisal of Britain's role in the world,
evaluate the security challenges relevant to the twenty-first
century, and combine the perspectives of foreign affairs,
defense, nonproliferation, and international law. 

To date, more than a hundred MPs from all major parties have
signed an Early Day Motion--a kind of Parliamentary
petition--calling for the decision on Trident replacement to be
delayed until there has been a full and relevant consultation.
If the government ignores such concerns and puts its white paper
to a vote in March, it may face an amendment remitting the vote
to a later date, until there has been a genuine process of
debate and consultation. In any case, the fact that Trident
replacement is being so closely identified with Blair's legacy
makes it likely that the debate will continue past any decision
taken in March, and that future leaders will be expected to
revisit the issue and reconsider Britain's nuclear policy in
light of real security needs. 
GROWING PUBLIC OPPOSITION
 

Opposition to Trident, as well as its replacement, has been
steadily growing. Statements calling for Britain to take the
lead in nuclear disarmament on moral, legal, and security
grounds have been issued by the great and the good, including
the Catholic Bishops and the Anglican Churches. Last September,
the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Alan McDonald, and the
leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal O'Brien,
joined a walk from Faslane to Edinburgh to hand a petition
against Trident to the Scottish Parliament. 

Thousands of people have participated in civil resistance and
demonstrations against Trident in various cities and at Faslane
and Aldermaston. Hundreds have been arrested and detained for
protesting against the nuclear deployments and preparations for
the next generation of nuclear weapons at these bases. In one
such initiative, since October 1,  the civil resistance group
Faslane 365has brought a wide range of Scottish, British, and
international groups together to disrupt the nuclear submarine
base in a continuous series of blockades that are expected to
last for at least a year. Among those arrested at Faslane in
recent weeks were six members of the Scottish and European
Parliaments, a Dutch MP, and various ministers and priests, as
well as eminent professors, doctors, authors, musicians, and
students. 

With the protesters adamant that their nonviolent actions are
intended to uphold international law and raise awareness of the
critical implications of the Trident decision for global
nonproliferation and security, as well as for Scotland and
Britain as a whole, the Scottish courts have been reluctant to
prosecute Faslane blockaders. However, in England, protesters at
Aldermaston have been threatened with arrest under laws
ostensibly enacted to deal with terrorism. 

Far from being about parochial British politics, the decision
about renewing Trident could affect the course of international
nonproliferation and security for decades to come. As noted by
commentators as different as Kofi Annan, Hans Blix, and George
Shultz, the nuclear weapon states need to marginalize and
eliminate these weapons of mass destruction themselves in order
for there to be any chance of preventing the spread of nuclear
weapons to more countries in the long term. At the very least,
they should start by foregoing the modernization and further
development of their nuclear arsenals. The British decision
could therefore play a critical role in determining whether
nuclear weapons are revalued or devalued in the coming years--a
choice between proliferation and disarmament. 

Over the coming months, these weekly dispatches will provide a
personal and political commentary on developments in the British
debate, covering both Parliament and civil society. 							
						 					 				 			 		 			 				 	 	 		 		
� 2007 Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 	
Remote Address: 69.36.186.201 � Server: www.thebulletin.org 	
*****************************************************************
 29 Comment is free: It's not too late to talk

> [Alex Bigham] 

No one wants to see another nuclear-armed state in the Middle 
East, but there is still time for engagement with Iran. 

February 5, 2007 11:55 AM | 

The diplomatic clock is ticking down to a confrontation with
Iran, but a major report signed by a broad coalition of NGOs,
trade unions and faith groups argues that there is still time to
talk. 

A few weeks ago, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, the hands of
its Doomsday clock forward to five minutes to midnight. One of
the main reasons is that the world seems on the brink of an
avoidable conflict over WMD in the Middle East - this time with
Iran. 

Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of Iran being to the
security council by the IAEA. This week will likely see the of
the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis in the Persian Gulf,
joining another aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D Eisenhower.
Two British minesweepers are also on their way to the region.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Mossad may have been behind the
assassination of one of Iran's top nuclear scientists, Ardeshir
Hassanpour. Despite this increasing belligerence, there is still
time to engage Iran diplomatically, and despite what you may be
lead to believe, engagement remains the best option to solve the
crisis over Iran's nuclear programme. 

That's not just the opinion of thinktanks and faith groups
though - a letter signed by three former US military commanders
in the Sunday Times said: "An attack on Iran would have
disastrous consequences for security in the region, coalition
forces in Iraq and would further exacerbate regional and global
tensions. The current crisis must be resolved through
diplomacy." 

Opening up a new front in the Middle East would be a disaster
not just for the region, but also for the UK. Anti-western
feeling would no doubt be exacerbated by an attack - inflaming
the war on terror and making the UK more vulnerable. Our economy
could also take a hit - if the oil price jumps to $100 a barrel
or Iran sought to jeopardise supplies to the west. We could see
a domino effect, leaving the global economy in a 1970s-style
crisis - affecting jobs in the UK. British troops would also be
more vulnerable to suicide attacks both in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

All this is to say nothing of potential civilian casualties -
many of Iran's nuclear sites are in built up urban areas and the
environmental costs could also be huge. Iran would also respond
to an attack - it could pull out of its obligations under the ,
restart its nuclear programme without international inspections,
and increase its support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and
Hizbullah, further damaging regional peace and security. 

Is diplomacy a realistic option? No one wants to see another
nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, but there is still time
for engagement. Even if Iran wanted to, it is highly unlikely
that it could build a weapon in 2007 - its programme is marred
by technical flaws and the CIA estimate it is five to 10 years
away from a bomb - still time for dialogue. 

One of the failures of diplomacy has been the lack of direct
talks with the US. Even Senator Hillary Clinton, a frontrunner
to become president, has urged the US to open a dialogue with
Iran. The Europeans have tried valiantly to negotiate with Iran,
but the team simply doesn't have the muscle necessary to secure
a final deal without the involvement of the Americans. 

We have nothing to lose from offering a "grand bargain" type
deal between the US and Iran, of the type offered by the
Iranians in 2003. This could have many benefits - empowering
moderates in Iran, enhancing prospects for stability in Iraq,
improving our global standing as well as containing the spread
of nuclear weapons technology. Engaging is also the most likely
to work - as every Iranian will tell you. Human rights
activists, feminists, reformers and students - many of whom
despise the regime, all want the west to talk to Iran, not
isolate the country through sanctions or military action. The
former British Ambassador to Iran, Richard Dalton has said
"firmness, patience and a commitment to diplomacy offer the best
chance of success". 

Those who believe there is time to talk are a broad coalition -
and cannot be dismissed lightly. 

  Guardian Unlimited � Guardian News and Media Limited 2007. 
Registered in England and Wales. No. 908396
 Registered office: Number 1 Scott Place, Manchester M3 3GG
*****************************************************************
 30 [NukeNet] Alert--be there, comment at DOE meetings to stop
 
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:02:12 -0800


<x-flowed>
NukeNet Anti-Nuclear Network (nukenet@energyjustice.net)

ALERT STOP Global Mobile Chernobyl

ATTEND Public meetings! (schedule below)

MAKE Comments** by 4/4/07 to 
<mailto:GNEP-PEIS@nuclear.energy.gov>GNEP-PEIS@nuclear.energy.gov

to stop revival of centralizing the high-level waste, reprocessing, and 
nuclear power



Please forward.



George Bushs Department of Energy is attempting to put together an 
over-the-top nuclear theme park plan, the centerpiece of which would 
relieve US nuclear reactor owners of the burden of their high-level 
radioactive waste, even though we have together fought off the plan to take 
the waste to the Goshute Reservation in Utah, and have forestalled Yucca 
Mountain nearly indefinitely...



Now the plan is to move the high-level waste to one (or more) of the 
communities named below and to also bring radioactive waste from all over 
the world to the same site(s) for eventual reprocessing. For more 
information on these programs, please visit the links at the end of this 
ALERT. Please do not for a moment forget that the #1 reason that these 
corporations want to move this waste is so that they can make more Wall St. 
has said that moving the waste is a priority if there is going to be more 
private investment in new nuclear power reactors. Most of the new reactors 
are slated as additions to existing reactor sites.



What is needed is ACTION the Department of Energy is planning 11 public 
meetings THIS MONTH (see the table below). Because the DOE is handing out 
money to these communities, the local press is covering these meetings. WE 
NEED TO BE THERE! Bring everyone&it is a great place for children and 
elders&boring for them, but a good reminder for the DOE!



Sorry for the short notice. We need to show up and be heard. Comments will 
be on the recordthough it seems that the style of the meeting will be a 
little differentinstead of long presentations theater-style they are doing 
workshopswhere people will engage in small groups with DOE staff. If you 
are comfortable with making your opposition VISIBLE (T-shirt or arm band), 
this will help others attending to know they are not alone&  The DOE nearly 
always offers table space for groups to bring handouts. We recommend you 
contact them (info below) and do that.



If you have questions feel free to contact NIRS staff Kevin Kamps 
(<mailto:kevin@nirs.org>kevin@nirs.org or 301-270-6477, ex 14) or Mary 
Olson in the NIRS Southeast Office (<mailto:nirs@main.nc.us>nirs@main.nc.us 
or 828-675-1792). Please help spread the word!







Date: February 13, 2007
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Double Tree Hotel
215 South Illinois Avenue
Time: 6:00-9:30pm

Date: March 1, 2007
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Hilltop House Best Western
400 Trinity Drive (at Central)
Time: 6 009:3Opm

Date: February 15, 2007
North Augusta, South Carolina
North Augusta Community Center
495 Brookside Avenue
Time: 6:00-9:30pm

Date: March 6,2007
Paducah, Kentucky
Executive Inn Riverfront
One Executive Boulevard
Time: 6:0O-9:3Opm

Date: February 22, 2007
Joliet, Illinois
Barber Ober-Wortmann Horticultural Center
227 North Gougar Street
Time: 6:00-9:30pm

Date: March 8, 2007
Piketon, Ohio
Ohio State University Endeavor Center/Rm. 160
1862 Shyville Road
Time: 6:0O-9:3Opm

Date: February 26, 2007
Hobbs, New Mexico
Lea County Event Center
5101 N Lovington-Hobbs Hwy
Time: 6:00-9:3Opm

Date: March 13, 2007
Pasco, Washington
Red Lion Hotel
2525 N. 20th Avenue
Time: 6:0O-9:3Opm

Date: February 27, 2007
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Pecos River Village Conf. Center
Carousel House
711 Muscatel Avenue
Time: 9:00am-12:30pm

Date: March 15, 2007
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Red Lion Hotel on the Falls
475 River Parkway
Time: 6:0O-9:3Opm

Date: February 27, 2007
Roswell, New Mexico
Best Western Sally Port Inn & Sts
2000 N. Main Street
Time: 6:00-9:30pm

Date: March 19, 2007
Washington. D.C.
Hotel Washington
15th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Time: 1:00-5:00pm



** COMMENT BY APRIL 4, 2007 to

Mr. Timothy A. Frazier GNEP PEIS Document Manager, Office of Nuclear 
Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0119, or via telephone: 866-645-7803, Fax: 
866-645-7807, or by e-mail at 
<mailto:GNEP-PEIS@nuclear.energy.gov>GNEP-PEIS@nuclear.energy.gov. 
Additional information on GNEP may be found at 
<http://www.gnep.energy.gov/>www.gnep.energy.gov.

Same contact for additional information on meetings and the PEIS process 
and project.


For More Information on GNEP visit the official site above, and check out:

<http://www.princeton.edu/~globsec/publications/pdf/HouseBriefing10March06rev2.pdf>http://www.princeton.edu/~globsec/publications/pdf/HouseBriefing10March06rev2.pdf 




Reprocessing: 
<http://www.nirs.org/factsheets/reprocessisnotsolution.pdf>http://www.nirs.org/factsheets/reprocessisnotsolution.pdf 


And 
<http://www.nirs.org/radwaste/reprocessing/reprocesshome.htm>http://www.nirs.org/radwaste/reprocessing/reprocesshome.htm 










GNEP Grant Awards 2007



Contact Philip Lord at <mailto:plord@aikenstandard.com>plord@aikenstandard.com



List of award winners:



1. Atomic City, Idaho, EnergySolutions, LLC $915,448



2. Barnwell, EnergySolutions, LLC $963,151



3. Hanford Site, Wash., Tri-City Industrial Development Council/Columbia

Basin Consulting Group $1,020,000



4. Hobbs, N.M., Eddy Lead Energy Alliance $1,590,016



5. Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, Regional Development Alliance, Inc

$648,745



6. Morris, Ill., General Electric Company $1,484,875



7. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn., Community Reuse Organization of

East Tennessee $894,704



8. Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Ky., Paducah Uranium Plant Asset

Utilization, Inc. $664,600



9. Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Ohio, Piketon Initiative for Nuclear

Independence, LLC $673,761



10. Roswell, N.M., EnergySolutions, LLC $1,134,522



11. Savannah River National Laboratory, Economic Development Partnership of

Aiken and Edgefield Counties $468,420



TOTAL: $10,458,242




n      Mary Olson, Nuclear Information and Resource Service, 
<http://www.nirs.org/>www.nirs.org



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*****************************************************************
 31 World Nuclear News: Total to enter nuclear industry

 05 February 2007 

The incoming CEO of French oil company, Total, has said that as 
an energy company, it will certainly have to be part of the 
nuclear industry: "If it is not hydrocarbons, if it is not 
renewables, if it is not nuclear, what is it?"
 	 	 	
Christophe de Margerie's, comments were reported by the Financial 
Times, which described de Margerie as "a hydrocarbon man through 
and through." Nevertheless, de Margerie said that as access to 
hydrocarbons becomes more difficult Total would have to move into 
other parts of the energy sector. "Being in the energy business, 
which we consider not only as our business but also as a 
responsibility vis a vis the consumer, we will certainly one day 
have to return be part of this [nuclear] adventure."
 	 	 	
Total has already made very small steps to involvement in 
nuclear. It owns 1% of Areva, the largest nuclear business in the 
world, and current Total CEO, Thierry Desmarest, sits on its 
board. He will remain as chair of Total's board when de Margerie 
takes over as CEO.
 	 	 	
Desmarest said in 2005, "Perhaps one day we will have to consider 
using nuclear for generating steam and power for production." He 
was referring to the problem of extracting useful oil from gritty 
oil sands. Usually, producers use large quantities of natural gas 
to soften the tarry deposits for extraction, but with global 
prices for gas increasing dramatically, alternatives are 
required.
 	 	 	
Apart from burning the extracted tar itself, another option is 
nuclear power, which could provide a stream of high-temperature 
steam, and electricity for use at the extraction plant. Comments 
made by de Margerie in 2005 indicated that Total was considering 
nuclear only in that capacity, but observers now content that 
financial participation in new nuclear electricity projects could 
present a good opportunity for investment as expansion in 
hydrocarbons becomes more difficult. 
*****************************************************************
 32 RIA Novosti: Belarus to start building its first nuclear power plant in 2008
 
05/ 02/ 2007

MINSK, February 5 (RIA Novosti) - Belarus plans to start building 
its first nuclear power plant in 2008. 

Belarus's National Academy of Sciences said Monday the NPP's
first unit will be commissioned in 2013-2014, and the second
unit by 2015. Their total power will be 1,000 megawatts. 

Another two units will be built by 2025. 

Earlier, a deputy chairman of the academy presidium, Vladimir
Timoshpolsky, said Russia and France are the likeliest partners
of Belarus in the project. 

"Today there's practically no choice - only Germany, Japan and
the U.S. provide services on the nuclear power market besides
these states," he said. 

In 2007, Belarus is to complete theoretical research and choose
a strategic partner for project implementation, and will start
talks with the supplier of technology and equipment. 

Russia has traditionally been Belarus' closest ally, whose
leadership has become increasingly isolated in the West over
clampdowns on civil and political freedoms. 

Belarus' authoritarian ruler Lukashenko and many other top
officials have been banned from entering the United States and
the European Union, and the EU has frozen Belarusian government
assets. 

The ex-Soviet neighbors declared their intention to build a
Union State, with a common economic, customs and political
space, in 1997. But negotiations have been complicated by a host
of issues, including an energy-pricing row at the beginning of
2007, disagreements on a common currency, and tax issues. 

During the energy standoff, Moscow briefly shut off supplies via
Belarusian pipelines to several EU countries, damaging its image
as a reliable energy supplier. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin defended Russia's stance on a
gradual transition to market relations with Belarus, saying that
it was put in motion now rather than a year ago only because the
Russian leadership did not want to "damage the Belarusian
president's popularity" before elections in the country in 2006. 

However, Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko, who won a landslide
election last March, has lately assumed a tough stance on
Moscow, claiming that bilateral relations have been steadily
deteriorating over the past decade. 

� 2005 RIA Novosti
*****************************************************************
 33 Platts: US NRC seeks public comment through March 5 on free-recovery rule
 
Washington (Platts)--2Feb2007
 
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission published Friday its 
proposed schedule of fees charged to licensees and applicants to 
recover 90% of the agency's fiscal-year 2007 budget. The public 
comment period on the proposed fee-recovery rule runs through 
March 5, the NRC said.

     Under the proposed fee-recovery rule, annual fees charged to 
each operating power reactor would be $4.088 million, up from 
$3.704 million in FY 2006. One rate of $256/hour would be charged 
for NRC staff activities in both the Nuclear Reactor Safety 
Program and the Nuclear Materials and Waste Safety Program, up 
from $217 for the reactor program and $214 for the materials 
program in FY-06. 

     "The increase reflects a revised estimate of staff hours 
spent on specific activities, such as licensing actions, 
inspections and regulatory development," NRC said Friday in a 
statement. 

                --Steven Dolley, steven_dolley@platts.com For 
more news, request a free trial to Platts Nucleonics Week at or 
subscribe now at
 
Copyright � 2007 - Platts, All Rights Reserved
 [The McGraw-Hill Companies]       
*****************************************************************
 34 NRC: NRC Following Up on Unusual Event at Indian Point 3 Nuclear Power Plant
 
News Release - Region I - 2007-00 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY 
COMMISSION 

Office of Public Affairs, Region I No. I-07-006                          
February 5, 2007 CONTACT:     Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Neil 
A. Sheehan (610) 337-5331                     E-mail: 
opa1@nrc.gov  

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was closely monitoring an
Unusual Event at the Indian Point 3 nuclear power plant earlier
today. An Unusual Event, the lowest of four levels of emergency
classification, was declared at the Buchanan (Westchester
County), N.Y., facility at 7:07 a.m. in response to reduced
water levels at the plants water intake structure. The Unusual
Event was exited at 10:14 a.m. 

The NRCs Resident Inspectors at the plant were following the
event and the Incident Response Center in the agencys Region I
Office in King of Prussia, Pa., was activated to track
developments and determine if plant operators were responding
appropriately. 

Like all nuclear power plants, Indian Point 3 pumps water from a
nearby waterway  in this case, the Hudson River  for cooling
purposes. The water, which does not come in contact with any
radioactive systems and therefore does not become contaminated,
is pumped back into the river after being used to cool down
various systems, such as the plants condenser. 

At 5:53 a.m. today, plant control room operators received an
alarm indicating a problem with the rotating screens that are
used to prevent debris in the river from entering the water
intake structure. At 5:57 a.m., the pumps used to wash debris
off the screens, tripped off-line due to low water levels. The
tide on the river was going down concurrent with these events.
Another concern was icing conditions caused by freezing
temperatures in the region. Cold weather conditions are expected
to continue throughout the week. 

Low tide occurred at 7 a.m. in the vicinity of the facility and
the level in the plants water intake structure was increasing
this morning. As of 10 a.m., the intake structure water level
was continuing to increase. 

Both Indian Point 3 and the adjoining Indian Point 2 reactors
were continuing to operate at full power. Indian Point 2 also
experienced reduced water intake levels but on a less
significant level than Indian Point 3. 

Indian Point 3 is a 1,100-megawatt pressurized water reactor. It
is owned and operated by Entergy.   
  
NRC news releases are available through a free list server 
subscription at the following Web address: 
http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC Home 
Page at www.nrc.gov also offers a Subscribe to News link in the 
News & Information menu. E-mail notifications are sent to 
subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's Web Site.   

 	 Last revised Monday, February 05, 2007 	   
*****************************************************************
 35 Journal News: A stub public official rejects a government brush off over nukes 

(Original publication: February 5, 2007)
 
Have to hand it to Andrew Spano, the Westchester County 
executive. A lot of public officials talk tough about the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, the Indian Point nuclear plants and make 
noise about mothballing the edifices along the Hudson; Spano 
actually sends his whipping-boy lawyers to the courthouse.

Spanos' lawyers last week filed a petition with the 2nd Circuit
Court of Appeals asking the panel to consider whether the always
cozy NRC, in effect, has been drinking the coolant at the plants
in Buchanan. Spano complains that the federal regulators have
violated the Atomic Energy Act, the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and abused their
discretion in turning down to the county's request that the
government make it harder for Indian Point to extend its
operating permits for an additional 20 years. His contention: If
starting from scratch, no government in its right mind would
site a nuclear power plant in such an ultra-congested,
terrorist-favored region.

In December, the NRC determined that the extra scrutiny sought
by the county - pleas to factor in the area's population
density, the potential risk of terrorism and the certain failure
of evacuation plans - was unwarranted. "It was summarily
rejected, basically because they said they changed the criteria
in 2000, and nothing has happened since that would cause them to
revisit the issue," said Spano. "Did they forget Sept. 11th ever
happened?"

Not at all, NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan told staff writer Greg
Clary: "We consider emergency planning and security to be issues
of paramount importance, and that's why we think it makes more
sense to address them on a continuous basis rather than during
the snapshot period of time when a company is seeking a license
extension. The NRC has aggressively sought improvements in those
areas, especially since 9/11, and will continue to do so."

We don't know enough about the federal statutes referenced by
Spano to conclude whether he is on to something; however, it
should be plain to anyone who has been stuck in the traffic jam
of the hour in this hopelessly congested region - or lived
through 9/11 - that it makes sense to put all issues on the
table when considering the future of Indian Point. A
comprehensive review -�something more than a paper-shuffling,
summary denial - would go a long way toward airing Spano's and
the public's honestly held concerns about the plants and our
future in the Lower Hudson Valley. We hope, with or without the
court's help, that such public discussion ensues. 
                                
                                
Copyright 2006 The Journal News, Inc. newspaper serving
  Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties in New York. Use of
 this site signifies your agreement to the and , updated June 7,
*****************************************************************
 36 PoughkeepsieJournal.com: Clinton calls for safety review at Indian Point
 
Monday, February 5, 2007 
		 		 
Following the "unusual event" today at Indian Point nuclear 
complex, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., called for an independent 
safety assessment.

She released this statement:

�This latest incident at Indian Point appears to have been
resolved. But I believe it underscores the need for an
Independent Safety Assessment at the plant, and I will soon
reintroduce legislation to require one. Many of my colleagues
agree with me that an ISA is essential and while we have not yet
been able to persuade the Bush Administration and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission to undertake one, I believe that in this
new Democratic Congress we will achieve that goal. I think that
continued public confidence in the facility will depend on a
much closer look at how Indian Point is run, and I will be
working to make that happen.�

For more on this story, click the link to the right, under the
photo. 


Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:51 pm   
  
Copyright � 2006 PoughkeepsieJournal.com 
*****************************************************************
 37 NRC: Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc.; Notice of Consideration of 
 
                         FR Doc E7-1784 
[Federal Register: February 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 23)] 
[Notices] [Page 5303-5305] From the Federal Register Online via 
GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05fe07-72]                         
 
Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No 
Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity 
for a Hearing The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the 
Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility 
Operating License No. DPR-43 issued to Dominion Energy Kewaunee, 
Inc. (the licensee) for operation of the Kewaunee Power Station 
(KPS) located in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.
 
The proposed amendment would modify KPS Technical Specification 
(TS) 4.6.a.5 to permit performance of the emergency diesel 
generator rated load test at a reduced load consistent with the 
short-time rating for the emergency diesel generators.
 
Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission 
will have made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 
1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's regulations.
 
The Commission has made a proposed determination that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration. 
Under the Commission's regulations in Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Section 50.92, this means that 
operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed 
amendment would not (1) involve a significant increase in the 
probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; 
or (2) create the possibility of a new or different kind of 
accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve a 
significant reduction in a margin of safety. As required by 10 
CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of the issue 
of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented 
below: 1. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated? No.
 
The proposed changes do not affect any of the previously 
evaluated accidents in the Updated Safety Analysis Report (USAR). 
The proposed change is to make the EDG test specified by TS 
4.6.a.5 (referred to as the short-time or short-term test) 
consistent with IEEE 387-1977, Regulatory Guide 1.9-1993, and 
NUREG 1431, Revision 3.1. The proposed amendment increases the 
total EDG test run time from 2 hours to 24 hours and decreases 
the maximum load value for the 2-hour portion of the test from 
113.7% of continuous duty (2950 kW) to 110% of continuous duty 
(2860 kW). The proposed amendment also adds a specification to 
run the EDG loaded to a maximum of its continuous duty load (2600 
kW) for the remainder of the 24 hours.
 
The KPS (EDGs) are designed to supply electrical power to 
engineered safety features (ESF) electrical busses in the event 
of a loss of normal power sources to these busses. The ESFs are 
designed to mitigate the consequences of an accident. The EDGs 
are not an accident initiator, and thus the proposed changes do 
not affect the probability of an accident previously
 
[[Page 5304]] evaluated in the USAR. The purpose of the EDGs is 
to supply reliable power at rated voltage and frequency to ESF 
equipment that is used to mitigate the consequences of an 
accident. The proposed amendment modifies one of the EDG 
surveillances to make it consistent with IEEE 387-1977, 
Regulatory Guide 1.9-1993, and NUREG 1431, Rev 3.1. The change 
does not reduce the reliability of the EDGs because the modified 
testing requirements will continue to assure their necessary 
quality and demonstrate that the EDGs are capable of performing 
their intended safety function. The EDG will continue to supply 
reliable power to the ESF equipment as required by the USAR 
accident analysis. Because the EDG will continue to supply the 
ESF power requirements and the change does not reduce the 
reliability of the EDGs, there is not a significant increase in 
the consequences of an accident previously evaluated. Therefore, 
the proposed amendment does not involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously 
evaluated.
 
2. Does the proposed amendment create the possibility of a new or 
different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated? No.
 
The proposed amendment does not change the design function or 
operation of the EDGs. The proposed amendment would not change 
the methods of starting, loading, or monitoring the EDGs during 
testing in a manner that could create the possibility of a new or 
different kind of accident than previously evaluated. The 
proposed amendment would alter the run time for the EDG's when 
tested and the load at which the EDG's are tested. However, no 
new equipment is being added or changed as a result of the 
proposed amendment.
 
Therefore, the proposed amendment does not create the possibility 
of a new or different kind of accident from any previously 
evaluated.
 
3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction in 
a margin of safety? No.
 
The proposed amendment does not change the EDG output 
characteristics. The EDG will remain capable of supplying the 
output necessary to meet post-accident loading requirements. The 
proposed amendment would change the length of the surveillance 
test and the load on the EDGs during the test. However, these 
changes are consistent with accepted industry standards contained 
in IEEE 387- 1977, Regulatory Guide 1.9-1993, and NUREG 1431. 
Therefore, the proposed amendment does not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.
 
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 
50.92(c) are satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to 
determine that the amendment request involves no significant 
hazards consideration.
 
The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed 
determination. Any comments received within 30 days after the 
date of publication of this notice will be considered in making 
any final determination.
 
Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the 
expiration of 60 days after the date of publication of this 
notice. The Commission may issue the license amendment before 
expiration of the 60- day period provided that its final 
determination is that the amendment involves no significant 
hazards consideration. In addition, the Commission may issue the 
amendment prior to the expiration of the 30- day comment period 
should circumstances change during the 30-day comment period such 
that failure to act in a timely way would result, for example, in 
derating or shutdown of the facility. Should the Commission take 
action prior to the expiration of either the comment period or 
the notice period, it will publish in the Federal Register a 
notice of issuance. Should the Commission make a final No 
Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, any hearing will 
take place after issuance. The Commission expects that the need 
to take this action will occur very infrequently.
 
Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Chief, 
Rulemaking, Directives and Editing Branch, Division of 
Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and should cite 
the publication date and page number of this Federal Register 
notice. Written comments may also be delivered to Room 6D59, Two 
White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, 
from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays. Documents may be 
examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC's Public Document 
Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 
F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland.
 
The filing of requests for hearing and petitions for leave to 
intervene is discussed below.
 
Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, the 
licensee may file a request for a hearing with respect to 
issuance of the amendment to the subject facility operating 
license and any person whose interest may be affected by this 
proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the 
proceeding must file a written request for a hearing and a 
petition for leave to intervene. Requests for a hearing and a 
petition for leave to intervene shall be filed in accordance with 
the Commission's ``Rules of Practice for Domestic Licensing 
Proceedings'' in 10 CFR Part 2. Interested persons should consult 
a current copy of 10 CFR 2.309, which is available at the 
Commission's PDR, located at One White Flint North, Public File 
Area O1F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, 
Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible from the 
Agencywide Documents Access and Management System's (ADAMS) 
Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web 
site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. If a 
request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed 
by the above date, the Commission or a presiding officer 
designated by the Commission or by the Chief Administrative Judge 
of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, will rule on the 
request and/or petition; and the Secretary or the Chief 
Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board 
will issue a notice of a hearing or an appropriate order.
 
As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene 
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner 
in the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the 
results of the proceeding. The petition should specifically 
explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted with 
particular reference to the following general requirements: (1) 
The name, address and telephone number of the requestor or 
petitioner; (2) the nature of the requestor's/petitioner's right 
under the Act to be made a party to the proceeding; (3) the 
nature and extent of the requestor's/petitioner's property, 
financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (4) the 
possible effect of any decision or order which may be entered in 
the proceeding on the requestors/petitioner's interest. The 
petition must also identify the specific contentions which the 
petitioner/requestor seeks to have litigated at the proceeding.
 
Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue 
of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the 
petitioner/requestor shall provide a brief explanation of the 
bases for the contention and a concise statement of the alleged 
facts or expert opinion which support the contention and on which 
the petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the 
hearing. The petitioner/requestor must also provide references to 
those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is 
aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish 
those facts or expert opinion. The petition must include 
sufficient information to show that a genuine dispute exists with 
the applicant on a
 
[[Page 5305]] material issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be 
limited to matters within the scope of the amendment under 
consideration. The contention must be one which, if proven, would 
entitle the petitioner to relief. A petitioner/requestor who 
fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at least one 
contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
 
Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to 
intervene, and have the opportunity to participate fully in the 
conduct of the hearing.
 
If a hearing is requested, the Commission will make a final 
determination on the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration. The final determination will serve to decide when 
the hearing is held. If the final determination is that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration, 
the Commission may issue the amendment and make it immediately 
effective, notwithstanding the request for a hearing. Any hearing 
held would take place after issuance of the amendment. If the 
final determination is that the amendment request involves a 
significant hazards consideration, any hearing held would take 
place before the issuance of any amendment.
 
Nontimely requests and/or petitions and contentions will not be 
entertained absent a determination by the Commission or the 
presiding officer of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that 
the petition, request and/or the contentions should be granted 
based on a balancing of the factors specified in 10 CFR 
2.309(c)(1)(i)-(viii). A request for a hearing or a petition for 
leave to intervene must be filed by: (1) First class mail 
addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, 
Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; (2) courier, 
express mail, and expedited delivery services: Office of the 
Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking 
and Adjudications Staff; (3) e-mail addressed to the Office of 
the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
HEARINGDOCKET@NRC.GOV; or (4) facsimile transmission addressed to 
the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff at 
(301) 415-1101, verification number is (301) 415-1966. A copy of 
the request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene 
should also be sent to the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and it 
is requested that copies be transmitted either by means of 
facsimile transmission to 301-415-3725 or by e-mail to

 
OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. A copy of the request for hearing and 
petition for leave to intervene should also be sent to Bradley D.
 
Jackson, Esq., Foley and Lardner, P.O. Box 1497, Madison, WI 
53701-1497 the attorney for the licensee.
 
For further details with respect to this action, see the 
application for amendment dated January 10, 2007, which is 
available for public inspection at the Commission's PDR, located 
at One White Flint North, File Public Area O1 F21, 11555 
Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly 
available records will be accessible from the Agencywide 
Documents Access and Management System's (ADAMS) Public 
Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web site, 
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have 
access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the 
documents located in ADAMS, should contact the NRC PDR Reference 
staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail 
to pdr@nrc.gov. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of 
January 2007.
 
For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
 
Patrick D. Milano, Acting Chief, Plant Licensing Branch III-1, 
Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation.
 
[FR Doc. E7-1784 Filed 2-2-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

 
*****************************************************************
 38 NRC: NRC Releases FY 2008 Budget Request to Congress
 
News Release - 2007-02
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs     
Telephone: 301/415-8200 Washington, DC 20555-0001     E-mail: No. 
07-020     February 5, 2007   

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission released its proposed
budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year 2008 today,
requesting $916.6 million to effectively regulate nuclear power
plants and other users of nuclear materials to protect people
and the environment. 

The budget increases primarily to support the review of twelve
of the new reactor applications anticipated to arrive in 2008,
two standard reactor design certification applications, three
early reactor site permit applications, and the development of
the reactor construction inspection program. There are also
modest decreases in the budget for regulation of nuclear
materials and waste safety. 

The proposed budget is offset by $765.1 million in fees the
agency is required to collect from its licensees. More details
are available in NUREG-1100, Vol. 23, on NRCs Web site at:
www.nrc.gov.   
  
NRC news releases are available through a free list server
subscription at the following Web address:
http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC Home
Page at www.nrc.gov also offers a Subscribe to News link in the
News & Information menu. E-mail notifications are sent to
subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's Web Site.   

Last revised Monday, February 05, 2007            
*****************************************************************
 39 PoughkeepsieJournal.com: Indian Point plant declares "unusual event"
 
Monday, February 5, 2007 

By Greg Clary The Journal News
 		 		 
BUCHANAN, Westchester County � Problems with Indian Point's
intake of Hudson River water that forced nuclear plant operators
to declare "an unusual event" this morning have been fixed.

The heightened alert removed, according to company and
regulatory officials.

About 6 a.m., workers at Indian Point 3 were alerted to receding
levels of cooling water in the nuclear reactor's service bay
area. The levels had dropped nearly 5 feet below sea level and
set off an alarm.

Officials from the company and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
said the problem occurred because screens that filter the river
water had become clogged with debris and ice.

With the river at low tide, the water coming in was decreased
significantly, causing the storage levels to dwindle.

At 7:07 a.m., the plant declared an "usual event." This
heightened alert was removed at 10:14 a.m.

Indian Point spokesman Jim Steets said earlier this morning that
divers had been sent in to clear the screens, but said later
that the rising tide had solved the immediate problem.

Steets said divers would be sent in later today after they had
extra equipment they needed to clear the lower portions of the
screens, so future low tides would not be a factor.

Millions of gallons of water from the Hudson River are sucked
into the nuclear plants' cooling system under a permit with New
York state, and screens are used to keep the inflows clear of
debris.

Steets said the water levels were back to where they were
supposed to be.

U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, reacted to the event by
questioning the overall safety of the plant.

 �If a bunch of debris from the river is all it takes to cause
an emergency at Indian Point, imagine what could happen during
equipment malfunctions or, God forbid, a terrorist attack,� said
Hall. �This only underscores the importance of carefully
scrutinizing the plant�s proposed re-licensing and moving
full-speed ahead on the development of alternative forms of
energy that are safe and renewable.� 


Copyright � 2006 PoughkeepsieJournal.com 
*****************************************************************
 40 Manila Bulletin: SC upholds QC court on nuclear power plant case 

By REY G. PANALIGAN

The Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal by a trial court, on 
technicality, of a taxpayers’ suit seeking to nullify the $ 
100-million compromise agreement between the Philippine 
government and Westinghouse Electric Corp. over the mothballed $ 
2.3-billion Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). 

The SC affirmed the decision handed down by the Quezon City
Regional Trial Court (RTC) that dismissed for "forum shopping,"
or the filing of similar cases before various courts, the
complaint against the BNPP contract filed by Laureano Angeles
and Jocelyn Celestino of the Public Interest Center, Inc. 
The decision was written by Justice Conchita Carpio Morales and
concurred in by Senior Justice Leonardo A. Quisumbing and
Justices Antonio T. Carpio, Dante O. Tinga, and Presbitero J.
Velasco Jr. 

In 1995, Angeles and Celestino asked the RTC to nullify the BNPP
contract and pleaded for the issuance of a temporary restraining
order (TRO). 

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), representing the
National Power Corp. (NPC), sought the dismissal of the
complaint on the ground that the complainants were guilty of
"forum shopping" because a similar complaint had been filed with
the Manila RTC. 
On April 17, 1996, Manila RTC Judge Vicente Roxas dismissed the
complaint for forum shopping. 
Angeles and Celestino’s motion for reconsideration was denied
by the judge, prompting them to elevate the issue before the SC. 
They claimed they were not guilty of "forum shopping" because
they were not the same parties in the Manila RTC case. 
But the SC junked their allegation. 
"In the present case, it is evident that, vis a vis the
above-mentioned complaint filed in Manila, there exists identity
of parties or interests represented, as well as the identity of
rights or causes of action and reliefs sought," the SC said. 
"As this Court has repeatedly ruled, the identity of parties
needed to satisfy the requirement in res judicata (barred by
prior judgment) requires only an identity of interest, not a
literal identity of parties," it pointed out. 
The SC said the first complaint which was filed before the
Manila RTC by the Anti-Graft League of the Philippines, Inc. et
al. v. Westinghouse Electric Corp., et. al., sought to declare
null and void the BNPP contract, as well as the loan contracts
entered into by the government with foreign banks, and restrain
the respondents from making further payments in compliance with
the loan contracts. 
It said the complaint was dismissed by the Manila RTC. Instead
of filing an appeal, the group filed a petition with the SC. 
On March 1, 1995, the SC dismissed the petition, prompting the
petitioners to file a case for mandamus with the Court of
Appeals pleading for a TRO to enjoin the government from paying
the loans they contracted for the construction of the BNPP. 
While the petition for mandamus was still pending before the CA,
Angeles and Celestino filed their complaint before the Quezon
City RTC, which dismissed it for forum shopping. 
								   							 						

 						 									

 										
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 41 Philippine STAR: SC junks compromise deal on Bataan power plant

Philstar.com - 

The Filipino Global Community
 
 By Jose Rodel Clapano

The Philippine Star 02/06/2007
 
The Supreme Court (SC) junked yesterday the petition of the 
Public Interest Center Inc. to nullify the $100-million 
compromise settlement between the government and Westinghouse 
Electric Corp. involving the 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power 
Plant (BNPP). 

In a 19-page decision penned by Associate Justice Conchita
Carpio-Morales, the high court's second division upheld the
ruling of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC), dismissing
the complaint filed by Laureano Angeles and Jocelyn Celestino of
the Public Interest Center Inc. 

The SC said the Quezon City RTC did not err in dismissing the
complaint due to "forum shopping." 

It said the first complaint, which was first filed with the
Manila RTC by the Anti-Graft League of the Philippines Inc.,
sought to nullify the BNPP contract as well as the loan
contracts entered into by the government with foreign banks, and
to restrain the respondents from making further payments in
compliance with the loan contracts. 

The complaint was dismissed by the Manila RTC, but instead of
filing an appeal, the Anti-Graft League of the Philippines Inc.
filed a petition for certiorari with the SC. 

On March 1, 1995, the SC dismissed the petition, prompting the
petitioners to file a petition for mandamus with the Court of
Appeals. 

While the petition was pending before the CA, Angeles and
Celestino filed their complaint before the Quezon City RTC. 

The SC said the petitioners did not deny that the first
complaint and the petition for mandamus filed by the Anti-Graft
League of the Philippines and their (Angeles and Celestino�s)
complaint involved the same causes of action, and are founded
upon the same set of facts. 

The construction of the BNPP project officially started in 1975
and was finished in 1984, but the cost was reportedly bloated
from the original price of $600 million to $2.3 billion. 					
					
 To receive daily News Updates on your Philippine mobile phone
simply send <STAR NEWS> to 
489(for Smart Subscribers) or 2922(for Globe Subscribers).
    
  Copyright � 2005 philstar.com . All rights reserved.   
*****************************************************************
 42 Newsday.com: Water level drops at Westchester's Indian Point nuclear plant -
             
AP New York
 
By DEVLIN BARRETT

Associated Press Writer

February 5, 2007, 6:15 PM EST
                                
WASHINGTON --    The Indian Point nuclear power station in 
Westchester County experienced an unexpected drop in cooling 
water Monday morning, but the problem was not enough to take the 
reactor offline, officials said. 

Two lawmakers critical of the plant operations said the incident 
was further evidence of a need for a new safety review of the 
facility. 

Entergy Nuclear Northeast, the company that operates the Indian 
Point site in Buchanan, N.Y., declared an "unusual event," the 
lowest of four emergency action declarations for the nuclear 
power plant, at 7:07 a.m. 

The declaration came after the service water for the Indian
Point 3 Nuclear Power Plant, drawn from the Hudson River to cool
plant equipment, dropped more than 4 feet below sea level. 

The problem was blamed on debris stuck to screens that filter
the river water. 

"The tide was extremely low, so that may have played a role, but
it wouldn't cause this by itself," Entergy spokesman Jim Steets
said. 

On Monday morning the company said workers were already removing
the debris, but by the end of the day Steets said divers had yet
to begin the removal work. 

"It should be done overnight or completed sometime tomorrow,"
said Steets, adding the water level as of late Monday was "well
within the safe parameters." 

"We'll have to keep an eye on it tonight as tide gets low
again," he said, "but we expect to maintain levels possibly by
turning off one of the pumps, which is done routinely." 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission raised the possibility that
the water level problem may have been exacerbated by ice on the
river, noting that the current cold snap is expected to continue
for several days. 

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Westchester, called Monday's event "one more
alarm bell that operational safety at Indian Point just isn't
what it should be." 

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she believed the new
Democratic Congress would force a more extensive review of
safety measures at the plant. 

The No. 3 plant was unaffected and was operating at full power,
the company said. The facility's other nuclear power plant,
Indian Point 2, also was at full power. 

Indian Point 3 is a 1,000-megawatt reactor. 

The unusual event was declared over at 10:15 a.m. 

The NRC said the first alarm on the water level came at 5:53
a.m., when plant control room operators learned of a problem
with the rotating screens. Four minutes later, the pumps used to
wash debris off the screens shut down because the water levels
were too low. 

The NRC's onsite inspectors were monitoring the event as it
happened, and an agency center in Pennsylvania was activated to
track the response of the plant operators. 

Monday's problem did not require the use of emergency sirens. 

Last month, the NRC extended the deadline for a new emergency
siren system around the Indian Point nuclear power plants.
Rather than insisting on the original deadline, Jan. 30, the NRC
said Entergy had justified a delay and granted an extension to
April 15. 

The existing sirens have failed several times in recent tests.
They are meant to warn residents within 10 miles of Indian Point
if there is an emergency. 
*****************************************************************
 43 AU ABC: Rudd announces climate change summit
 
AM - Monday, 5 February , 2007  08:00:00
 
Reporter: Chris Uhlmann

 TONY EASTLEY: The verdict is in on the devastating effects of
climate change, and globally scientists are pointing the finger
at human and government failure.

The immediate challenge for administrations everywhere is how to
respond to the damning report. 

Australia is not a participant the Kyoto targets on greenhouse
gas emissions and it's the world's largest exporter of coal.

John Howard wants all the Premiers and chief ministers to get
together this Thursday to discuss water, but Labor's Kevin Rudd
wants a broader discussion. 

He's announced his own national summit on climate change to be
held late next month or early April. 

Federal politicians are gathering in Canberra for the first
sitting week of what will be a punishing election year.

Chief Political Correspondent Chris Uhlmann reports.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Paul Keating famously described himself as the
Placido Domingo of Australian politics. Recently dumped minister
Amanda Vanstone also clearly has an eye on a place in the
politico-musical pantheon: penning the libretto to a new
patriotic song.

(Sound of patriotic song: "Home to first Australians, joined
from near and far. Shining like �")

CHRIS UHLMANN: So it's appropriate that the leads in this year's
election campaign were on the same page of the political
songbook yesterday, announcing duelling summits on water and
climate change.

JOHN HOWARD: I'm therefore proposing that there be a meeting in
Canberra next Thursday morning of the relevant states. 

KEVIN RUDD: I will be convening a national summit on climate
change. 

CHRIS UHLMANN: The summits are a sign that water is biting deep
as an election issue and Kevin Rudd knows that, in the public's
mind, the drought cannot be separated from climate change.

KEVIN RUDD: You cannot deal effectively with the water crisis
unless at the same time you are dealing with climate change. 

CHRIS UHLMANN: A weakness in the Government's response to
climate change to date has been that it's loathe to put a price
on carbon. The strongest hint that this is about to change came
in a pre-recorded statement John Howard releases every Sunday. 

JOHN HOWARD: Market mechanisms, including carbon pricing, will
be integral to any long-term response to climate change.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Mr Rudd has some holes in his own plans. He says
he wants the best possible responses to global warming to be
raised at his summit.

KEVIN RUDD: I am open to the best ideas in the country. 

CHRIS UHLMANN: But not if one of them means embracing nuclear
power. 

KEVIN RUDD: On the question of nuclear reactors in this country,
no. 

CHRIS UHLMANN: The Prime Minister's $10-billion national water
security plan has been given qualified support by the premiers
of New South Wales and Victoria. 

South Australian Premier Mike Rann says he's willing to bargain
away his state's constitutional rights over water, as long as
the rivers are run by an independent body. Queensland Premier
Peter Beattie bought into the debate yesterday.

PETER BEATTIE: The problem we have is that what the Prime
Minister is doing is good politics but it's bad management and
it's bad for Australia. 

CHRIS UHLMANN: One thing is clear from the rhetoric of all the
leaders on this �they're getting the message from the public
that it wants solutions, not infighting. So the chances are good
that there will be a compromise on the Commonwealth's water plan.

TONY EASTLEY: Chief Political Correspondent Chris Uhlmann.   
*****************************************************************
 44 AU ABC: Howard considers carbon pricing
 
AM - Monday, 5 February , 2007  08:04:00
 
Reporter: Tony Eastley

 TONY EASTLEY: Beyond the problems of the Murray Darling, the
Government says it is considering introducing some sort of
carbon pricing as part of a broader response to global change.

The Prime Minister John Howard, however, says jobs must be
protected.

Here's more of what the Prime Minister said last night. 

JOHN HOWARD: We are not going to sell out the many thousands of
workers in the mining and power generation industries by hastily
agreeing to proposals that unfairly disadvantage Australia. 

Market mechanisms, including carbon pricing, will be integral to
any long-term response to climate change.

There is undeniable evidence that our climate is changing, but
the answer is not knee-jerk responses that harm the national
interest.   

*****************************************************************
 45 [du-list] UN Atomic Watchdog Reports Trafficking of Nuclear
 
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:02:04 -0800


<x-flowed>

<http://www.europaworld.org:80/week293/unatomic2207.html>http://www.europaworld.org:80/week293/unatomic2207.html

The United Nations atomic watchdog agency, whose tasks include pre-empting 
nuclear and radiological terrorism and preventing proliferation, this week 
reported 149 confirmed incidents of illicit trafficking and other 
unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials in 2006.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 46 UPI: Bush seeks $145B to fight terror
	
     United Press International - 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) --

U.S. President George W. Bush asked Congress for $145.2 billion 
to fund anti-terror activities in fiscal 2008.

 As part of his $2.9 trillion budget, Bush is seeking $74
billion for ongoing military intelligence requirements in Iraq,
$15.2 billion for greater force protection and $2.7 billion to
support coalition partners and humanitarian relief.

 The spending plan calls for $1.9 billion to expand the U.S. 
diplomatic presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and $5.6 billion for 
an additional 20,000 troops to help train Iraqis to secure their 
own country.

 Some $37.6 billion is being allocated for fixing and replacing 
equipment, and $50 million is being set aside to boost efforts to 
keep nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists.

 The spending request seeks $286 million in aid to Lebanon, as 
well as funds to improve the U.S. image in Muslim countries.

� Copyright 2007United Press International, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
*****************************************************************
 47 [du-list] RADIOACTIVE WASTE LEAK IN DUGRIDIGH WE DEMAND FULL
 
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:03:17 -0800


<x-flowed>


I am Hisataka Yamasaki, NGO DUC/J (abolition of depleted uranium ,
study group) of Japan.

The starting point of degraded uranium weapon is a uranium mine. The
leakage accident of a radioactive waste occurred in Jadugoda
(Jharkhand State India) where the influence of radioactive exposure
has appeared in peripheral people. Since the appeal of an
international signature is sent as follows, please give cooperation.

<<http://petitions.aidindia.org/jadugoda-tailing-pipe-leak/index.php>http://petitions.aidindia.org/jadugoda-tailing-pipe-leak/index.php>

Subject: RADIOACTIVE WASTE LEAK IN DUGRIDIGH-
WE DEMAND FULL INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIATION

Mr. Ramendra GuptaChairman and Managing Director

Dr. Anil Kakodkar
Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) & Secretary,
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India

We, the undersigned, express our deepest concern at the leak of toxic
radioactive waste in Jadugoda (Jharkhand State, India), as a result of
an accident at a facility owned and operated by UCIL (Uranium
Corporation of India Limited).

According to news reports - on December 24, 2006, one of the pipes
carrying radioactive waste from the uranium mill operated by UCIL in
Jadugoda to a storage dam burst, discharging highly toxic wastes into
a nearby creek. When released into the environment in such a hazardous
manner, the radioactive and chemical wastes are deadly to the people
living in the surrounding area as well as their land and water.

The accident occurred in a small village inhabited largely by
displaced families whose lands were acquired to construct two of the
three storage dams, also known as tailings ponds. The tailings ponds
store all the radioactive wastes generated by the milling of uranium
ore in Jadugoda. Based on the experience of similar accidents in other
countries, the negative effects on human and environmental health will
impact not just Jadugoda, but several communities living downstream,
perhaps even hundreds of kilometers away.

It is troubling that UCIL did not have its own alarm mechanism to
alert the company in cases of such a disaster. Rather, the villagers
that had arrived at the scene of the accident soon after the pipe
burst informed the company of the toxic spill. Even more reprehensible
is the fact that the toxic sludge spewed into creek for nine hours
before the flow of the radioactive waste was shut off. Consequently, a
thick layer of toxic sludge along the surface of the creek killed
scores of fish, frogs, and other riparian life.

According to local news reports, UCIL has begun repairing the pipe and
removing sludge from the creek. This is an important step, but far
from adequate. There must be a comprehensive disaster recovery and
remediation plan for cleaning up the affected sites in Jadugoda and
elsewhere. In addition, comprehensive monitoring, alerting and
reporting procedures must be introduced in order to prevent such
incidents in the future.

WE DEMAND:

(1) Full disclosure by UCIL of all facts about the accident, and
corrective measures taken thus far.

(2) A thorough, independent investigation of the causes and impacts of
the disaster, involving UCIL, appropriate state and non-governmental
agencies, and representatives of local community organizations such as
JOAR (Jharkhandi Organization Against Radiation)

(3) Decontamination of the soil, streams and riverbeds that have been
affected by the bursting of the pipe

(4) Provision of alternate sources of clean and usable water for
communities that are dependent on water from the contaminated creeks

(5) Adequate compensation for the people who have been harmed and
whose livelihoods have been affected by the hazardous discharge of the
radioactive waste into the environment

(6)Regular, independent monitoring of the quality and safety of UCIL's
sites, processes and equipment.

(7) Regular monitoring of the exposure of workers and area residents
to the radioactive and hazardous chemical contaminants that are
generated by the mining and milling of uranium

(8) Creation and establishment of emergency response programs in order
to ensure the safe, effective, and timely response to such disasters
in the future

For more information, including a backgrounder on Uranium tailings and
other hazards associated with Uranium mining, information on similar
disasters in other parts of the world, news reports of this disaster,
etc., please visit <http://www.jadugoda.net.>http://www.jadugoda.net.

Mr. A. Raja, Union Minister of Environment and Forests

Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Minister of Health and Family

Mr. Madhu Kora, Chief Minister of JharkhandMadhu

Full Name:

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 48 [du-list] USUK U -  Iraqwi producers  invitation to test
 
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:02:06 -0800


<x-flowed>

<http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/ZAWYA20070205045734>http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/ZAWYA20070205045734

"..the Kuwaiti side raised the issue of depleted uranium, which they 
believe could have affected Iraqi soil and possibly transferred the 
dangerous substance to their agricultural products.

The Iraqi side denied the uranium issue and claimed that this was a 
baseless rumour during the Saddam regime. Nonetheless, the Iraqi side 
encouraged their counterparts to inspect their farms and have it tested in 
Kuwait laboratories to find out if they are indeed free from chemical 
substances (sic) just as they claimed."

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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 49 [du-list] Watch CNN on Feb. 5/6 :  from Gerard Matthew  
 
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:02:02 -0800


<x-flowed>

Dear all,

This is from Gerard Matthew who is suing, together with some other
Iraq War veterans, the US governmenta because of the DU damage. As
Gerard says, this will be the first nation-wide media report of the
DU damage the Iraq War veterans are suffering.

Kazashi Nobuo
board member, ICBUW (International Coalition to
Ban Uranium Weapons)
Director, NO DU Hiroshima Project

Begin forwarded message:

On 2007/02/05, at 6:46,

 > will air on CNN between 6 am and 9 am Monday and Tuesday eastern time
 > Gerard

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 50 Spectrum: Lawmakers, speak up (Strake)

www.thespectrum.com - The Spectrum, St. George, UT             

Monday, February 5, 2007             

Divine Strake - despite the fact that it is not a nuclear weapon 
- has raised fears in many Southern Utah residents. The test, 
proposed for the Nevada Test Site, would use a 700-ton fuel-oil 
bomb, reportedly as part of a program to research the possibility 
of bunker-buster bombs for use in the war on terror.

Opponents make two arguments. One centers on the ground that will 
be disturbed by such a large blast. They worry that radioactive 
soil left over from the above-ground tests of the 1950s and 1960s 
will be cast aloft in the atmosphere and will fall on the area. 
That is of particular concern for people who call themselves 
"Downwinders" because they believe they were harmed by radiation 
from those earlier bomb tests.

The second argument centers on the fear that this bomb - one 
heavy enough that it couldn't actually be carried out by any 
known weapon - is really a precursor to renewed nuclear testing 
in the Nevada desert. Of course, there are some in the science 
community who point out that the amount of radiation that 
Southern Utah would be exposed to would be minimal - in fact, 
less than we receive from other everyday activities. Their 
arguments are rational and have some scientific studies to back 
up their claims.

But this isn't a rational debate, primarily because the
government has been caught lying on issues related to the test
site in the past. Frankly, the government hasn't done much to
earn back that trust.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has led the state's fight against Divine
Strake. He went to the extreme of ordering the Utah Department
of Environmental Quality to conduct hearings in St. George and
Salt Lake City after federal agencies reversed course and turned
public hearings into open houses.

It's time for the Legislature to get involved. To date, there
has been no resolution against Divine Strake. That could - and
should - change. And the simple reason is economics.

Regardless of whether the bomb is safe, the perception is that
the government is renewing testing in the Nevada desert.
Companies seeking to move to Utah likely will view the state
differently if there is even a hint of testing going on upwind
in Nevada.

That's bad for the state's economy, particularly Southern Utah.

The Legislature can do something about it by raising its
collective voice in opposition to Divine Strake. Lawmakers are
currently in session, and the language shouldn't be too
difficult to resolve on a resolution that says Utah is tired of
being the guinea pig for the federal government.

The Legislature can speak for all of us by passing such a
resolution.

 Copyright �2007 The Spectrum.
 All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************
 51 Salt Lake Tribune: Contact your legislators

Article Last Updated: 02/05/2007 12:48:54 AM MST

Contact your legislators now

(http://www.le.state.ut.us/maps/amap.html) and tell them to
reject SB155. The bill would eliminate public oversight of
EnergySolutions' handling of nuclear waste in Utah. Monitoring
and supervision of EnergySolutions should be a robust,
scientific and civic undertaking. SB155 dismantles
EnergySolutions' accountability to the public. 

   EnergySolutions is a private company that conducts business
in Utah only because, presumably, doing so is, in part, in the
interest of the citizens of Utah. Nuclear waste, no matter the
classification, is a dangerous substance and commodity. For
these reasons, the handling and oversight of nuclear waste is
both a technical and public issue. 

   SB155 eliminates the possibility of public oversight of
nuclear waste in Utah. SB155 wrongly conflates technical
regulatory concern with public interest. It degrades citizens'
voices, the voices which should be most audible and compelling
in these matters. Preserve democracy, preserve the public's
interest. Call on your legislators to vote against SB155. 
    
   Brenden Kendall 
   Salt Lake City 
    
© Copyright 2006, The Salt Lake Tribune. 
*****************************************************************
 52 The Herald: Appeal to Lords over bid to keep leukaemia death figures private

Web Issue 2750

  TOM GORDON, Scottish Political Correspondent    

February 05 2007  

A Scottish NHS body which was ordered to reveal childhood
leukaemia statistics under freedom of information law is to make
a final appeal to the House of Lords in an attempt to keep the
figures secret. 

In the first case of its kind, the Common Services Agency (CSA)
is to challenge a recent ruling by the Court of Session ordering
it to hand over its records under FoI. 

The CSA has resisted disclosure since January 2005, when Michael
Collie, a researcher for Green MSP Chris Ballance, first asked
for its records on leukaemia in under-15s in Dumfries and
Galloway. advertisement 

Mr Collie was trying to establish whether there were cancer
clusters associated with Chapelcross nuclear power station and
the Dundrennan military firing range, which tests depleted
uranium shells. 

When the CSA refused to comply, citing patient confidentiality,
Mr Collie successfully appealed to the Information Commissioner. 

The commissioner said the CSA could apply a statistical
make-over to its raw data to enable it to preserve patient
confidentiality. 

When the CSA appealed against the commissioner's decision to the
Court of Session late last year, its argument - that it was not
obliged to create any new data - was thrown out by three judges.
In the landmark ruling, Lord Marnoch stressed FoI should "be
construed in as liberal a manner as possible." 

"I do not see why the commissioner should not be accorded the
widest discretion in deciding the form and type of information
which should be released," he said. 

The CSA has now instructed its lawyers to mount an appeal to the
Lords, meaning the case will probably enter a third year. Mr
Ballance said the CSA was wasting its time by appealing. 

"I am appalled, if unsurprised, that the CSA has decided to
appeal this decision. 

"They have failed to convince the Information Commissioner of
their case, and failed to convince three eminent Scottish
judges. They are now hoping they will have better luck with the
House of Lords, but if justice is done the appeal will be thrown
out." 

A CSA spokesman said: "We have been advised by counsel that we
have grounds for appeal to the House of Lords, and in view of
the fundamental principle at the heart of this matter - patient
confidentiality - we have decided to proceed with this appeal." 

The Information Commissioner's office confirmed it was aware of
the appeal. 

  Copyright � 2007 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All
Rights Reserved    
*****************************************************************
 53 Reid: REID ANNOUNCES NEW EFFORT TO HELP NEVADA TEST SITE WORKERS

: 02/05/2007

Petition submission brings Cold War Veterans one step closer to 
compensation

Harry Reid of Nevada announced a petition that will put Nevada 
Test Site workers, who contracted cancer from their work during 
the under-ground nuclear tests, one step closer to receiving the 
compensation they deserve. 

The goal of this petition is to increase the number of former 
Test Site workers who receive Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) 
designation. The SEC is a legal designation that simplifies and 
expedites the compensation process for workers within the cohort. 
Currently, only people who worked at the site for 250 days or 
more between 1951 and 1962 fall in this category. That represents 
only about a third of all claimants. 

Reid’s goal is to expand the SEC designation to all Test Site 
workers who may have been put in harm’s way between 1951 and 
1993. 

“This is the right thing to do for Nevada Test Site Workers
who have become ill as a result of their work,” said Reid.
“These are atomic energy veterans who deserve nothing but the
best in return for the contributions they made to protect our
country. I look forward to the day when I can announce that they
and their families will receive the compensation they truly
deserve.” 

There are two ways to become part of an SEC. The National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) can initiate
the SEC process or an SEC can be established through
legislation. NIOSH initiated an SEC for workers present at NTS
before 1963 as a result of a letter Reid wrote to President Bush
in November of 2005. This SEC was passed by the Advisory Board
on Radiation and Worker Health in May of 2006 and went into
effect on July 26, 2006. The current SEC covers Nevada Test Site
workers who were employed there from 1951-1962 for at least 250
days. This affected approximately one-third of all claimants.
Reid submitted legislation last Congress, but was unsuccessful
in an attempt to attach it as an amendment to the Department of
Defense Appropriations Bill. Reid will begin work on updated
legislation for the 110th Congress. 

The petition signed by former workers, Paul Stednick and Peter
White, and Lori Hunton, daughter of a former worker, will cover
employees of the Department of Energy (DOE) or any DOE
contractors or subcontractors who were: 


+ Present during an underground nuclear test and/or performed
drill backs, re-entry, or clean up work following such test at
the Nevada Test Site (NTS);
+  
+ Present at an event involving the venting of an underground
test at NTS or at other events where there was an uncontrolled
episodic radiation release;
+  
+ Present for tests or post test activities related to the
Nuclear Rocket Testing Program;
+  
+ Assigned to work in Area 51 (or other classified program
areas);
+  
+ Employed at NTS in a job activity that was monitored for
exposure to ionizing radiation or worked in a job activity that
is or was comparable to a job that is, was or should have been
monitored for exposure to ionizing radiation at NTS, during the
period from January 1, 1963 through September 30, 1992, or in
combination with work days with the parameters established for
one or more other classes of employees in the SEC. 

The U.S. held 100 above-ground nuclear tests and 828 underground
tests at the site between 1951 an 1993 -- when the below ground
nuclear tests stopped. Many people at the Test Site worked with
significant amounts of radioactive materials without knowledge
of the risks. Some of those workers have been waiting for
decades for the government to acknowledge the sacrifices they
made for their country. Many have been waiting for compensation
while they suffer from life-threatening cancers, and others have
already died. 

                               ###

Reno Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse & Federal Bldg 400 S. Virginia 
St, Site 902 Reno, NV 89501 Phone: 775-686-5750 Fax: 775-686-5757                         

Las Vegas Lloyd D. George Building 333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, 
Suite 8016 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Phone: 702-388-5020 Fax: 
702-388-5030                         [ /]                          
Carson City 600 East William St, #302 Carson City, NV 89701 
Phone: 775-882-REID (7343) Fax: 775-883-1980                         
[ /] Washington, DC 528 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 
20510 Phone: 202-224-3542 Fax: 202-224-7327 Toll Free for 
Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)
*****************************************************************
 54 LasVegasNOW.com: Gov. Gibbons Urged to Request Public Hearings on Divine Strake Explosion

| News for Las Vegas, Nevada -

A group of Nevada activists is pressing Gov. Jim Gibbons to
request an environmental impact statement and public hearings on
the federal government's plans for a 700-ton explosion on the
Nevada desert. 

More than two dozen activists marched a mile Saturday in Carson
City from the Legislative Building to the Governor's Mansion,
where they held a news conference to express concerns over the
planned non-nuclear blast at the Nevada Test Site. 

The event was sponsored by No New Mushroom Clouds Over Nevada,
Or Anywhere!, a coalition of such groups as the Reno Anti-War
Coaliton, the Sierra Interfaith Action for Peace and the Western
Shoshone Defense Project. 

"We don't think it's right that our new governor has been silent
on the issue," said Lee Dazey, an event organizer. "We sent a
letter to him January 22 and we haven't heard anything from him. 

"We think he has a responsibility to clarify what his stance is
given what his predecessor requested," Dazey added. 

Before leaving office last month, former Gov. Kenny Guinn asked
for a supplemental EIS that would require public hearings on the
test. Both Gibbons and Guinn are Republicans. 

While Gibbons supported the explosion as a congressman, he has
not yet taken a stand on whether a full EIS and public hearings
are needed, said Brent Boynton, his communications director. 

The federal government must secure an air quality permit from
the state before it can proceed with the blast, he added. 

"He's waiting for more information from the federal government,"
Boynton said. "He's going to certainly work through state
agencies to protect the health and safety of Nevadans and the
environment." 

The "Divine Strake" explosion, first scheduled for June 2006,
was postponed indefinitely after Western Shoshone tribe members
filed suit. 

Critics fear radioactive material from decades of Cold War-era
weapons tests will be loosened by the blast and scattered across
Nevada and southern Utah. They call it a step toward developing
"bunker buster" nuclear weapons. 

Activists said they're puzzled that members of Nevada's
congressional delegation have recently been silent on the issue,
while top elected officials in Utah and Idaho have pressed for
public hearings. 

Since releasing a revised environmental assessment on the
explosion in December, the government has held public "open
houses" in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Saint George, Utah. 

The EA claims that the level of radiation released would be
below federal safety standards and the blast presents no public
health hazards. 

No date has been set for detonation of the 700-ton ammonium
nitrate and fuel oil bomb that would generate the first
mushroom-shaped dust cloud in decades at the test site, 85 miles
northwest of Las Vegas. 

Dazey said a full EIS would provide more details about the
explosion and ensure public hearings. The recent public meetings
provided information but did not allow for public comment on the
test, she said. - 

 (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) 
 
      All content � Copyright 2000 - 2007 WorldNow and KLAS. All
Rights Reserved.
*****************************************************************
 55 ABC4.com: Divine Strake Test - ABC 4's editorial opinion - 

February 5, 2007 - 11:07 PM                                                                                                             
		 		 
Watch the PSA with Governor Huntsman. 

ABC 4 News, in league with Utah Governor Jon Huntsman and
thousands of concerned citizens throughout the Rocky Mountain
West, is calling for an end to the government's planned
mega-bomb test known as Divine Strake. 

This 700-ton blast, scheduled for 2007 at the Nevada test site,
65 miles southwest of St. George, will be the largest
conventional weapons test ever conducted and threatens to send a
ten-thousand foot mushroom cloud of radioactive dust across the
state of Utah. 

The Pentagon assures us there's no risk to the public's health,
but we've heard these promises before. 

After suffering thousands of cancer deaths and related illnesses
due to government's nuclear bomb tests in the 1950's and 1960's,
we at ABC 4 feel it's unconscionable to expose Utah's families
to another such risk. 

That's why we're calling on you to join forces with ABC 4 News
and Governor Huntsman as we work together to stop Divine Strake. 

Now is the time to act.   

&copy; 2007 Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc. 
*****************************************************************
 56 Las Vegas SUN: Bush budget would give small boost to Yucca funding 

Today: February 05, 2007 at 7:50:6 PST 

By ERICA WERNER ASSOCIATED PRESS 

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush is asking Congress to spend
$494.5 million on the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump in 2008. 

The amount is lower than Bush's budget requests for the dump in
past years, but a slight increase over funding levels that
lawmakers have approved in the past two years. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said spending on
the Yucca project has been unacceptably high and has promised to
trim Bush's request as he's done in years past. 

The funding request was part of a $2.9 trillion 2008 spending
plan Bush sent to lawmakers on Monday - the first time he's
submitted a budget request to a Democratic-controlled Congress. 

Congress approved about $405 million for Yucca Mountain for the
2007 fiscal year after Bush asked for $544 million. 

The project was funded at $450 million in 2006 and $577 million
in 2004 and 2005. 

Yucca Mountain is planned as the nation's first national nuclear
waste dump and would entomb 77,000 or more tons of highly
radioactive waste in the desert 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
The project has been plagued by delays and controversy. 

Budget documents say 2008 work on Yucca Mountain will focus on
submitting a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission by June 30, 2008, with the hope of opening the
repository in 2017. 

The documents also say that the Bush administration plans to
again present legislation to make regulatory and other changes
to facilitate development of the dump. 

The administration's Yucca legislation stalled in the last
Congress, and Reid has said he'll block any pro-Yucca
legislation in the Senate. 

All contents copyright 2005 Las Vegas SUN, Inc.
*****************************************************************
 57 AP Wire: Cleanup of former Chino Hills munitions site continues

02/05/2007 | 

 Associated Press 

CHINO HILLS, Calif. - Perchlorate and explosive chemicals still
remain seven years after cleanup started at the former Aerojet
munitions facility. 

Aerojet GenCorp Inc. spokesman Tim Murphy said that being
thorough is more important than speed in the cleanup of the old
Department of Defense testing site. 

Cleanup has moved at a good pace, with the main task now focused
on searching the property for explosives and removal of residue
from the open burn-open detonation area, Murphy said. 

"Our goal is to meet the highest potential future use for the
site," he said. 

From 1954 to 1995, Aerojet assembled and tested military weapons
on 400 acres of the 800-acre Aerojet property. 

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control determined
later that the contaminants in the soil and surface water
included unexploded ordnance, perchlorate and depleted uranium.
The cleanup has focused on those three materials, Murphy said. 

Removal of uranium was completed in 2003. 

Perchlorate, other explosive chemicals and unexploded ordnance
are still on the property and need to be removed, said Jeanne
Garcia, spokeswoman for the state Department of Toxic Substances
Control. 

"Once everything is completed - the contaminants are removed or
either stay in place - DTSC will either certify the land for
development or a deed restriction may be placed on it," Garcia
said. 

Murphy said that in some cases during detonation of ordnance too
much explosives were used, which propelled dirt, rocks and
fragments into the surrounding land. 

"One concern is we are dealing with the potential of live rounds
to be out there," Murphy said. 

*****************************************************************
 58 Platts: Bush FY-08 budget earmarks $494.5 mil for nuclear waste program
 
Washington (Platts)--5Feb2007
 
Funding for the US Department of Energy's civilian nuclear waste 
program would total roughly $494.5 million under the Bush 
administration's fiscal-year 2008 request. 

     The total includes a DOE defense waste fee payment of $292 
million and $202.45 million from the Nuclear Waste Fund. The 
White House Office of Management and Budget said the FY-08 
request includes $4 million that would be divided among local 
governments affected by the department's planned repository at 
Yucca Mountain, Nevada; $2.5 million in oversight funds for the 
state of Nevada; and $1.2 million for oversight work by Nye 
County, Nevada, where Yucca Mountain is located.

     An OMB budget document called 2008 a "critical juncture" in 
the Yucca Mountain project and said that investments in four 
areas are needed to move the program forward. 

     OMB said work in those areas includes the development of a 
repository license application, which reflects the planned used 
of a cradle-to-grave canister system, that will be submitted to 
NRC by June 30, 2008; development of a transportation 
infrastructure to move spent fuel from reactor sites to a federal 
facility; improvement of the aging infrastructure at Yucca 
Mountain; and development of a culture expected of an NRC 
licensee that is consistent with Institute of Nuclear Power 
Operations and NRC guidance.

                --Elaine Hiruo, elaine_hiruo@platts.com

Copyright � 2007 - Platts, All Rights Reserved
 [The McGraw-Hill Companies]       
*****************************************************************
 59 LA Daily News: Perchlorate levels stump researchers

State, federal agencies can't agree on what's safe in water

BY ALEX DOBUZINSKIS, Staff Writer

Article Last Updated: 02/04/2007 09:12:35 PM PST

Researchers know the rocket fuel component perchlorate can be
harmful to humans, they just can't agree on how much of it makes
drinking water unsafe. 

State and federal agencies have set different levels, and
environmental groups have battled industry over the science of
understanding perchlorate's health effects. 

The debate is important to Santa Clarita, which has the 996-acre
Whittaker-Bermite property in the center of town, a site with
high levels of perchlorate from decades of munition
manufacturing. 

Several years ago, environmentalists expressed concern that
perchlorate could be a carcinogen. But research has found little
evidence of that in humans. Instead, researchers have focused on
the effects on the thyroid and the intake of iodine, which could
affect pregnant women and fetuses. 

California, the National Academy of Sciences and Massachusetts
have all used a 2002 study that tested the effects of
perchlorate on humans. But they came to different results. 

California in 2004 set 6parts per billion as a goal for how much
perchlorate should be tolerated in drinking water, although the
state is still formulating an enforceable standard. 

Massachusetts last year set the nation's first enforceable 
drinking water standard for perchlorate at 2parts per billion. 
And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which a few years 
ago was considering a standard of 1part per billion, revised its 
assessment based on a National Academy of Sciences study. The EPA 
considers anything below 24.5parts per billion a safe level, but 
it has no enforceable standard. 

The science is complicated by the fact that perchlorate could
have little effect on a healthy adult man, but a permanently
damaging effect on a fetus or infant's IQ level. 

"The biggest concern was in the pregnant women because of the
exposure of the fetus, and then a few weeks after birth, babies
who are nursing," said Richard Johnston, who led a National
Academy of Sciences study released in 2005. "So that's a
population you worry about most because of the effect on brain
development." 

Ethical constraints prevent subjecting pregnant women to doses
of perchlorate for research purposes, and using animals as test
subjects has been controversial because animals' perchlorate
reactions may be different from humans'. 

The 2002 Greer study, which has been used by California, the
National Academy of Sciences and Massachusetts, used healthy
adults as subjects. 

To adjust for vulnerable populations of pregnant women and
fetuses, the National Academy of Sciences divided the level of
perchlorate it would expect to affect a healthy human by a
factor of 10. That resulted in the finding that 24.5parts per
billion should be the limit for perchlorate in drinking water. 

But a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released
last year suggests it could take less perchlorate than that to
harm pregnant women and their fetuses, especially those with low
iodine levels. 

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group has translated the
amount of perchlorate identified in the CDC study as potentially
harmful as 5parts per billion. 

California officials are aware of the findings. 

"It's not unusual for new studies to come out and produce
important new information on chemicals," said Allan Hirsch, a
spokesman for the California Office of Environmental Health
Hazard Assessment. "That's why we're supposed to review our
public health goal periodically for every drinking water
contaminant." 

Sujatha Jahagirdar, a clean water advocate for Environment
California, said the state should not adopt 6parts per billion
as an enforceable health standard when the CDC study indicates
that might not be strict enough. 

"My perception of that decision is it's prioritizing bureaucracy
over health," she said. "It's incredibly flawed public policy,
and I think people should be outraged that the system that is
set up to protect people's quality of water is failing." 

As for Johnston, he said the CDC study is not necessarily proof
that perchlorate is more of a health risk. Instead, it shows
pregnant women should take a prenatal vitamin with iodine, to
avoid the health effects of low iodine levels, he said. 

Environmental groups criticized the National Academy of Sciences
report, arguing that industry groups had too much influence on
the research. Many environmental groups continue to call for a
standard of 1part per billion. 

The debate rages on, as the California Department of Health
Services works on determining whether the level of 6parts per
billion is economically feasible to enforce as a standard, since
cleanup of a site can cost millions of dollars. 

  
                  Los Angeles Newspaper Group 
*****************************************************************
 60 Salt Lake Tribune: Waste oversight

Article Last Updated: 02/05/2007 12:48:55 AM MST

I would like to thank The Salt Lake Tribune for its sensible
Feb. 1 editorial about the need for public debate when it comes
to expanding the volume of nuclear waste disposed of at the
EnergySolutions site west of Tooele. 

   I have attended many of the public hearings of the state
Radiation Control Board about this nuclear waste disposal
license and, time after time, that regulatory body has informed
members of the public, who spend long hours waiting to
participate in the decision-making process that their comments
concern matters of public policy and can't be considered by the
board, which only reviews technical requirements. SB155 would
mean that no one is required to consider the public policy
implications of accepting more nuclear waste. 

   Thank you to the intelligent people at The Tribune for
recognizing that such important decisions must be decided by the
public and the people elected by, and accountable to, the public
- the governor and the Legislature. 
    
   Rachel White 
   Salt Lake City 
   

© Copyright 2006, The Salt Lake Tribune. 
*****************************************************************
 61 Gallup Independent: "Hot" waste shipments apparently in Navajo future. 

By Kathy Helms

 Dine Bureau 

WINDOW ROCK -- When the Public Safety Committee heads to 
Washington next week, one of the federal agencies it will lobby 
for funds will be the Department of Energy. 

PSC Chairperson Hope MacDonald-LoneTree told the committee this
week that there are shipments of high-level nuclear waste
proposed for transport on Interstate 40. 

"That's what is being proposed and that is what they're working
on right now," she said. 

Last year, PSC was given a tour of Yucca Mountain in Nevada, a
site slated to be the permanent burial ground for the nation's
high-level nuclear waste. 

"That's why we have meetings with Department of Energy: to find
out what their plans are, what they're doing, how it's going to
affect Navajo, what our recommendations are, how we oppose it,"
MacDonald-LoneTree said. 

The Navajo Nation has approved a ban on future uranium mining
and processing in Navajo Indian Country. 

In a Dec. 21 preliminary draft of Section 180(c) of the Nuclear
Waste Policy Act sent to the Navajo Nation, the federal Office
of Management and Budget stated that DOE will provide grants and
technical assistance to states and tribes affected by the
transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive
waste. 

DOE intends to make two grants available to states and tribes
affected by the shipments: an assessment and planning grant set
at $200,000, and an annual training grant with a base amount of
$100,000. Funding beyond the base grants will be according to a
needs assessment conducted by the tribe. 

FIVE-YEAR NOTICE 

OMB said the Department of Energy will notify each eligible
state and tribal government through a letter to the governor or
tribal leader approximately five years before shipments are
scheduled through that jurisdiction. The letter will announce
anticipated routes. 

Jimson Joe of Navajo Deparment of Emergency Management said DOE
already has given the tribe the requisite five-year notice that
"hot" nuclear waste shipments will be moving on I-40. 

"They don't have specific days. They just kind of gave us
general information," he said. 

The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management has been
working on a proposed plan of how it will deal with public
notification and what type of precautionary measures it will use
in regard to the shipments. 

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Lorenzo Curley introduced
legislation last October which would have approved a cooperative
agreement between the Navajo Nation and DOE's Carlsbad Field
Office. 

At that time, Curley said the shipments planned for I-40 are so
"hot" they have to be handled by machines, rather than people. 

The agreement included in the legislation would provide funding
for a Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Emergency Services
Liaison who would provide community education in 10 Navajo
chapters located in Apache and McKinley counties through which
the shipments will pass. 

Those include Nahata dziil, Houck, and Lupton in Apache County,
and Manuelito, Tsayatoh, Red Rock, Church Rock, Iyanbito,
Thoreau and Baca in McKinley County. 

Through the WIPP liasion's educational efforts, "the members of
the ten communities will better understand the effects of
hazardous materials and be prepared to respond to incidents that
may occur related to the transportation of transuranic waste
materials over I-40," according to the statement of work. 

Curley's legislation, which has been languishing since it was
tabled by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee last year,
includes a DOE financial assistance agreement totaling $50,000.
However, DOE obligated only $31,250 for the budget period March
1, 2006-Feb. 28, 2007. 

The project would continue through Feb. 28, 2011, during which
time the Navajo Nation could receive up to $250,000. However,
DOE said there is no guarantee that amount will be awarded. 

WASTE CORRIDORS 

On Jan. 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed one
of the final roadblocks to transport of remote-handled
transuranic waste by approving preparations at Idaho National
Laboratory (INL), the source of waste from nuclear weapons work. 

Don Hancock of the Southwest Research Information Center in 
Albuquerque said both Hanford, Wash., and INL have remote-handled 
(RH) wastes. INL is supposed to be the first DOE site to ship the 
RH waste, he said. 

"However, the transportation route for those wastes is through
Utah, Wyoming on I-80, Colorado, and then into New Mexico on
I-25 and down US-285. 

Hancock said DOE currently does not ship remote-handled waste on
I-40. "In fact, those sites are prohibited from shipping on
I-40," he said. "There are no remote-handled shipments planned
from the west which would come on I-40." 

"Idaho says it has 183 RH shipments in the waste stream that
it's starting to ship. WIPP hopes to handle about two RH
shipments a week, so that's more than a year's worth," he said. 

UNFORSEEN EVENTS 

OMB said there may be instances when unforseen events force the
closure of a primary or alternate route, requiring shipments to
be re-routed to a less prepared or unprepared route. 

In instances where re-routing of the shipments is required, DOE
will work with the tribe to reach a mutually acceptable solution
and will make funds available, if necessary. 

DOE also will work with states and tribes on an individual basis
to determine whether fees levied on radioactive materials
shipments will impact the amount of funds received. 

Currently, 28 states levy fees on radioactive materials
shipments, ranging from $25 to $4,000 on the initial rail cask.
No tribes now assess fees on radioactive materials shipments
through their reservations. 

OMB said that if a tribe does impose a fee, DOE would have to
decide whether it was paying twice for some activities if it
pays fees and funds to the tribe through Section 180(c), and if
so, what it can do to meet its obligations under that section,
while complying with applicable tribal laws, and avoiding paying
twice for the same service. 

*****************************************************************
 62 DOE: Department of Energy Requests $24.3 Billion for FY 2008 Budget
 
  February 5, 2007
 
Request Forwards President Bush's Initiatives to Advance Clean 
Energy Alternatives, Maintain America's Edge in Scientific 
Innovation and Discovery, Continue Strong Economic Growth, and 
Ensure the Reliability of our Nuclear Weapons Stockpile 

WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today
announced President Bushs $24.3 billion budget request for the
Department of Energy (DOE) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008.  This
request supports continued scientific discovery and the
development of alternative energy sources that are vital to
Americas energy and economic security.  Funding priorities
include investments to address growing demand for affordable,
clean and reliable energy; further scientific discovery;
continue the legacy waste environmental cleanup; and strengthen
and maintain the nations nuclear weapons stockpile while
promoting global non-proliferation. 

Under President Bushs leadership, this budget builds on our
commitment to strengthen our nations energy security by
diversifying our energy resources and reducing our reliance on
foreign sources of energy.  In addition, this budget will help
us expand our nations scientific know-how, protect generations
from the dangers of our Cold War legacy, and safely and reliably
maintain our nations nuclear weapons stockpile, Secretary
Bodman said.  Thanks to the investments in this years budget,
we will be able to meet the Departments mission for today, as
well as have a profound and lasting positive impact on our
nations future.  

Among the Presidents goals funded in the FY 2008 budget request
include $179 million for the President's Biofuels Initiative, an
increase of $29 million (19 percent) compared to the 2007 budget
request, to help achieve the Presidents goal of making
cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012.  This will help
reach President Bushs goal to reduce U.S. consumption of
gasoline by 20 percent in ten years.  In addition, to increase
our energy security, the FY 2008 budget includes $168 million to
begin the doubling of our nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve
to 1.5 billion barrels by 2027. 

The budget also continues to significantly invest in the
Presidents Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) and the American
Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), both of which were unveiled in
President Bushs 2006 State of the Union Address. 

Accelerating the Advanced Energy Initiative 

The FY 2008 budget request includes $2.7 billion, a 26 percent
increase above the FY 2007 request of $2.1 billion, and 53
percent above FY 2006, to advance President Bushs Advanced
Energy Initiative.  This initiative seeks to reduce U.S.
dependence on foreign sources of energy and transform the
national energy economy by promoting the development of cleaner
sources of electricity production.  The FY 2008 request supports
AEI goals to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy
technologies, such as biomass, hydrogen, and solar energy; clean
coal technologies through FutureGen; and nuclear energy
technologies, through the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. 
These funds support a diverse portfolio of energy research,
development, and commercialization programs designed to meet the
energy challenges of the 21st century. 

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($1.24
billion) budget includes significant funding increases for
hydrogen technology, vehicle technology, biomass, and building
technology programs.  The Office of Fossil Energy ($863 million)
supports research and development of low cost carbon
sequestration technology for new and existing coal plants, the
Clean Coal Power Initiative, and the FutureGen project, which
will establish the capability and feasibility of co-producing
electricity and hydrogen from coal with near-zero emissions for
start-up in 2012. 

The Office of Nuclear Energy ($875 million) includes $395
million for the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative and other
activities to support the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP). (In addition, $10 million is provided to GNEP from the
National Nuclear Security Administration to promote GNEPs
non-proliferation goals, for a total of $405 million for GNEP.);
and also supports Generation IV, Nuclear Power 2010, and the
standby support, or risk insurance, called for in the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), to protect against unexpected delays
of nuclear power plant construction and spur investments in
emissions-free nuclear energy. 

In addition, the Departments FY 2008 requests $8.4 million to
operate an Office of Loan Guarantees and the ability to expand
DOEs loan volume limitation to $9 billion.  This funding will
help spur the commercial development of new and novel clean
energy technologies. 

Advancing the American Competitiveness Initiative 

The Departments role in the American Competitiveness Initiative
is funded through the DOEs Office of Science and provides
research investments to spur innovation and strengthen Americas
competitive edge.  The FY 2008 budget requests $4.4 billion, an
increase of         $300 million over FY 2007 requested levels
and more than $800 million over FY 2006, to further basic
research in the physical sciences and to carry out the large
scale scientific demonstrations essential for leading global
breakthroughs.  This ambitious strategy represents President
Bushs commitment to double federal spending on science this
decade and ensure that America will continue to lead the world
in opportunity and innovation for generations to come. 

Office of Science ($4.4 billion) 

DOEs Office of Science is the single largest federal supporter
of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and its
$4.4 billion request will help ensure U.S. leadership across a
broad range of scientific disciplines.  DOEs Office of Science
budget also incorporates $428 million in funding for basic
research in nuclear fusion, including the international fusion
energy experimental reactor agreement, known as ITER; $340
million for the Advanced Scientific Computing Research to
sustain DOEs position as world leader in civilian computing
power; $158 million for operations of the Tevatron at Fermilab
for collider and neutrino physics programs; and $146.5 million
for operations of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider to provide
an idea of conditions of the very early universe.  DOEs FY 2008
request includes $75 million for three innovative Bioenergy
Research Centers to accelerate basic research in the development
of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels and make biofuel
production cost-effective on a national scale to meet the
Presidents goals. 

National Nuclear Security Administration ($9.4 billion) 

The FY 2008 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
budget requests $9.4 billion,  39 percent of the Department's
budget, to promote national security through a combination that
includes maintaining our nuclear weapons stockpile, advancing
science, and promoting nuclear nonproliferation and threat
reduction.  The NNSA budget requests $6.5 billion for weapons
activities to keep the nuclear weapons stockpile safe, secure
and reliable through continued surveillance, assessment, and
life extension programs.  This includes the Reliable Replacement
Warhead (RRW) program as a long-term strategy to maintain a
safe, secure and credible nuclear deterrent. 

The FY 2008 budget request maintains current commitments to the
nuclear deterrence policies of the Administrations Nuclear
Posture Review through NNSAs Complex 2030, the long-term
strategy for effective transformation and modernization of the
Cold War era weapons complex into one that is more efficient,
smaller, and secure.  To further nuclear nonproliferation
activities, the FY 2008 request of $1.7 billion supports the
international nuclear materials protection and cooperation
programs that are denying terrorists the nuclear materials,
technology and expertise needed to develop or otherwise acquire
nuclear weapons.  The budget includes a request of   $334
million for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Plant project at
DOEs Savannah River Site that will dispose of 34 metric tons of
U.S. surplus plutonium and facilitate complex-wide consolidation
of nuclear material.  The FY 2008 budget request also includes
$162 million for NNSA to maintain its robust nuclear and
radiation emergency response teams and capabilities. 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($1.24 billion) 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy budget requests
$1.24 billion, $60 million (5 percent) more than the FY 2007
request.  Much of this funding is an integral part of the
Advanced Energy Initiative and will help us achieve the
Presidents goal to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20
percent in ten years.  It also expands key programs that focus
on developing new energy choices, including: vehicle efficiency
technology ($176 million); biomass ($179 million), including
research into cellulosic ethanol, made from switch grass, wood
chips, and corn stalks; the Solar America Initiative ($148
million); hydrogen technology including fuel cell development
($213 million); and wind projects ($40 million). 

Office of Nuclear Energy ($875 million) 

The Office of Nuclear Energy FY 2008 budget requests $875
million, a $242 million (38 percent) increase over the FY 2007
request.  In addition to the $395 million for the Advanced Fuel
Cycle Initiative in support of GNEP, the budget request includes
Nuclear Power 2010  ($114 million), which will reduce barriers
for light water reactor designs and deployment; and Generation
IV ($36 million), which will focus funding on long-term research
and development to support the Next Generation Nuclear Plant
technology.  The FY 2008 budget request supports implementation
of the standby support, or risk insurance, program called for in
EPAct, to protect against unexpected delays of nuclear power
plant construction and spur investments in emissions-free
nuclear energy. 

Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management ($495 million) 

The Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management requests
$495 million to further plan for operation of the safe,
permanent, geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and
high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, $50 million below
the FY 2007 request.  The FY 2008 budget request sets DOE on a
path to file a license application no later than June 30, 2008,
continue the facility planning and safety design, make critical
infrastructure upgrades at Yucca Mountain to ensure worker
safety and operational efficiency, and build on national
transportation planning activities. 

Office of Fossil Energy ($863 million) 

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) FY 2008 budget requests $863
million, an increase of $214 million, or 33 percent above the FY
2007 request.  The FY 2008 budget supports President Bushs
priorities to develop advanced clean coal technologies ($427
million) which includes FutureGen ($108 million), the
public-private international partnership to build the world's
first coal-fired power plant that produces electricity and
hydrogen with nearly zero-emissions; the Clean Coal Power
Initiative ($73 million) to initiate, by or before 2010,
demonstration of advanced coal-based power generation
technologies; and coal research and development activities ($246
million).  As part of the Administrations effort to deploy
clean energy technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the
budget request includes $79 million in      FY 2008 for
sequestration work including four large scale field tests, which
have the potential to store more than 600 billion metric tons of
carbon dioxide, the equivalent of more than 200 years of
emissions from energy sources in the United States. 

Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability ($115
million) 

The FY 2008 Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability (OE) budget requests $115 million, a decrease of $10
million (8 percent) from the FY 2007 request.  This request
supports a variety of programs designed to modernize the
electricity transmission and distribution system; and increase
energy reliability, energy and system efficiency, and security. 
Within the request, the Department will focus $86 million on
research and development (R&D) activities to strengthen grid
stability, reduce frequency and duration of operational
disruptions, and increase efficiencies.   The budget request
also supports implementation of EPAct requirements in
transmission and energy corridor designation and coordination of
Federal agency transmission line permitting.  Additionally, this
budget request supports OE energy emergency response
capabilities to ensure energy assurance through federal, state,
and local coordination. 

Office of Health, Safety and Security ($428 million) 

The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) was created by
Secretary Bodman last year to strengthen DOEs health, safety,
and security organization, which previously operated in separate
offices within DOE.  The new office requests $428 million for FY
2008, an increase of $20 million, or approximately 5 percent
above the FY 2007 request for the combined activities of the
former offices, to support its mission of ensuring the safety
and health of the DOE workforce and members of the public and
the protection of the environment in all DOE activities.  HSS is
responsible for policy development and technical assistance;
safety analysis; corporate safety and security programs;
education and training; complex-wide independent oversight; and
enforcement. 

Office of Environmental Management ($5.7 billion) 

The FY 2008 Environmental Management budget requests $5.7
billion, $173 million below the FY 2007 request, primarily due
to the completed clean-up of seven sites over the past two
years, including the 1,050 acre Fernald site in January 2007. 
This budget request supports the Departments efforts to
complete clean-up of three additional sites in FY 2008 and
continue clean-up progress across the complex with a focus on
activities with the greatest risk reduction.  The FY 2008 budget
requests $690 million to continue safe construction of the Waste
Treatment Plant at Hanford, which will stabilize high-level
waste currently stored in tanks into a glass form for disposal. 

Office of Legacy Management ($194 million) 

The Office of Legacy Management FY 2008 budget requests $194
million, $7 million below the FY 2007 request, to support the
long-term stewardship responsibilities where active remediation
has been completed and payment of pensions and benefits for
former contractor workers after site closure is needed.  This
budget request reflects the transfer of clean-up sites completed
by the Office of Environmental Management. 

Media contact(s):
 Craig Stevens, (202) 586-4940     [ ]   

  

    [  ]     [ ] 


   News   
  [ ]   
  


  Secretary Bodman to Release the Departments FY 2008 Budget
Request

Statement by Secretary Bodman on the Resignation of Eric Burgeson

Statement by Secretary W. Bodman on the Nomination of Kevin
Kolevar

   

  
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  Doing Business with DOE| Competitive Sourcing| DOE Directives|
Small Business  
  


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alt="Link: The White House" width="119" height="30">    <img
src="/images/structure/btm_usagov2.jpg" border="0" alt="Link:
USA.gov" width="115" height="30">    <img
src="/images/structure/btn_egov.jpg" alt="Link: E-gov"
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src="/images/structure/btn_iq.jpg" border="0" alt="Link:
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src="/images/structure/btn_foia.jpg" border="0" alt="Link:
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)" width="55" height="30">  

  
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Washington, DC 20585
 1-800-dial-DOE | f/202-586-4403
   
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*****************************************************************
 63 DOE: Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee; Notice of Open 
 
                         FR Doc E7-1772 
[Federal Register: February 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 23)] 
[Notices] [Page 5282-5283] From the Federal Register Online via 
GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05fe07-50]                         
 
Meeting AGENCY: Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy.
 
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
 
SUMMARY: The Office of Nuclear Energy announces that the Nuclear 
Energy Research Advisory Committee will hold an open meeting and 
the public is invited. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. 
L. 92-463, as
 
[[Page 5283]] amended) requires that public notice of these 
meetings be announced in the Federal Register.
 
 
DATES: Tuesday, February 20, 2007; 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, 
February 21, 2007; 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
 
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Bennion Student Union, 
1784 Science Center Drive, Room 109, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Boger, Designated 
Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Rd, 
Germantown, MD 20874; telephone (301) 903-4495; e-mail .
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Nuclear Energy 
Research Advisory Committee (NERAC) was established in 1998 by 
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide independent, 
expert advice on complex scientific, technical, and policy issues 
that arise in the planning, managing, and implementation of DOE's 
civilian nuclear energy research programs. The committee is 
composed of 14 individuals of diverse backgrounds selected for 
their technical expertise and experience, established records of 
distinguished professional service, and their knowledge of issues 
that pertain to nuclear energy.
 
Purpose of the Meeting: To inform the committee of recent 
developments and current status of research programs and projects 
pursued by the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy 
and receive advice and comments in return from the committee.
 
Tentative Agenda: The agenda during the two-day meeting is 
expected to include presentations that cover such topics as the 
current status of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), 
Next Generation of Nuclear Power, Nuclear Power 2010, and Idaho 
National Laboratory. The agenda may change to accommodate 
committee business. For updates, one is directed to the NERAC Web 
site: .
 
Public Participation: Individuals and representatives of 
organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions 
may do so on the second day of the meeting, Wednesday, February 
21, 2007. Approximately one-half hour will be reserved for public 
comments. Time allotted per speaker will depend on the number who 
wish to speak but is not expected to exceed 5 minutes. The public 
is invited up to the capacity of the meeting room. Anyone who is 
not able to make the meeting or has had insufficient time to 
address the committee is invited to send a written statement to 
Dr. John Boger, 19901 Germantown Rd, Germantown, MD 20874, or 
e-mail .
 
Minutes: The minutes will be available on the NERAC Web site: .
 
Issued in Washington, DC on January 30, 2007.
 
Rachel Samuel, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer.
 
[FR Doc. E7-1772 Filed 2-2-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

 
*****************************************************************
 64 NewsBlaze: Department of Energy Requests $24.3 Billion for FY 2008 Budget
 
Request Forwards President Bush's Initiatives to Advance Clean
Energy Alternatives, Maintain America's Edge in Scientific
Innovation and Discovery, Continue Strong Economic Growth, and
Ensure the Reliability of our Nuclear Weapons Stockpile
 
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced 
President Bush's $24.3 billion budget request for the Department 
of Energy (DOE) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. This request supports 
continued scientific discovery and the development of alternative 
energy sources that are vital to America's energy and economic 
security. Funding priorities include investments to address 
growing demand for affordable, clean and reliable energy; further 
scientific discovery; continue the legacy waste environmental 
cleanup; and strengthen and maintain the nation's nuclear weapons 
stockpile while promoting global non-proliferation. 

"Under President Bush's leadership, this budget builds on our
commitment to strengthen our nation's energy security by
diversifying our energy resources and reducing our reliance on
foreign sources of energy. In addition, this budget will help us
expand our nation's scientific know-how, protect generations
from the dangers of our Cold War legacy, and safely and reliably
maintain our nation's nuclear weapons stockpile," Secretary
Bodman said. "Thanks to the investments in this year's budget,
we will be able to meet the Department's mission for today, as
well as have a profound and lasting positive impact on our
nation's future." 

Among the President's goals funded in the FY 2008 budget request
include $179 million for the President's Biofuels Initiative, an
increase of $29 million (19 percent) compared to the 2007 budget
request, to help achieve the President's goal of making
cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012. This will help
reach President Bush's goal to reduce U.S. consumption of
gasoline by 20 percent in ten years. In addition, to increase
our energy security, the FY 2008 budget includes $168 million to
begin the doubling of our nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve
to 1.5 billion barrels by 2027. 

The budget also continues to significantly invest in the
President's Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) and the American
Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), both of which were unveiled in
President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Address. 

Accelerating the Advanced Energy Initiative 

The FY 2008 budget request includes $2.7 billion, a 26 percent
increase above the FY 2007 request of $2.1 billion, and 53
percent above FY 2006, to advance President Bush's Advanced
Energy Initiative. This initiative seeks to reduce U.S.
dependence on foreign sources of energy and transform the
national energy economy by promoting the development of cleaner
sources of electricity production. The FY 2008 request supports
AEI goals to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy
technologies, such as biomass, hydrogen, and solar energy; clean
coal technologies through FutureGen; and nuclear energy
technologies, through the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.
These funds support a diverse portfolio of energy research,
development, and commercialization programs designed to meet the
energy challenges of the 21st century. 

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($1.24
billion) budget includes significant funding increases for
hydrogen technology, vehicle technology, biomass, and building
technology programs. The Office of Fossil Energy ($863 million)
supports research and development of low cost carbon
sequestration technology for new and existing coal plants, the
Clean Coal Power Initiative, and the FutureGen project, which
will establish the capability and feasibility of co-producing
electricity and hydrogen from coal with near-zero emissions for
start-up in 2012. 

The Office of Nuclear Energy ($875 million) includes $395
million for the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative and other
activities to support the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP). (In addition, $10 million is provided to GNEP from the
National Nuclear Security Administration to promote GNEP's
non-proliferation goals, for a total of $405 million for GNEP.);
and also supports Generation IV, Nuclear Power 2010, and the
standby support, or risk insurance, called for in the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), to protect against unexpected delays
of nuclear power plant construction and spur investments in
emissions-free nuclear energy. 

In addition, the Department's FY 2008 requests $8.4 million to
operate an Office of Loan Guarantees and the ability to expand
DOE's loan volume limitation to $9 billion. This funding will
help spur the commercial development of new and novel clean
energy technologies. 

Advancing the American Competitiveness Initiative 

The Department's role in the American Competitiveness Initiative
is funded through the DOE's Office of Science and provides
research investments to spur innovation and strengthen America's
competitive edge. The FY 2008 budget requests $4.4 billion, an
increase of $300 million over FY 2007 requested levels and more
than $800 million over FY 2006, to further basic research in the
physical sciences and to carry out the large scale scientific
demonstrations essential for leading global breakthroughs. This
ambitious strategy represents President Bush's commitment to
double federal spending on science this decade and ensure that
America will continue to lead the world in opportunity and
innovation for generations to come. 

Office of Science ($4.4 billion) 

DOE's Office of Science is the single largest federal supporter
of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and its
$4.4 billion request will help ensure U.S. leadership across a
broad range of scientific disciplines. DOE's Office of Science
budget also incorporates $428 million in funding for basic
research in nuclear fusion, including the international fusion
energy experimental reactor agreement, known as ITER; $340
million for the Advanced Scientific Computing Research to
sustain DOE's position as world leader in civilian computing
power; $158 million for operations of the Tevatron at Fermilab
for collider and neutrino physics programs; and $146.5 million
for operations of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider to provide
an idea of conditions of the very early universe. DOE's FY 2008
request includes $75 million for three innovative Bioenergy
Research Centers to accelerate basic research in the development
of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels and make biofuel
production cost-effective on a national scale to meet the
President's goals. 

National Nuclear Security Administration ($9.4 billion) 

The FY 2008 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
budget requests $9.4 billion, 39 percent of the Department's
budget, to promote national security through a combination that
includes maintaining our nuclear weapons stockpile, advancing
science, and promoting nuclear nonproliferation and threat
reduction. The NNSA budget requests $6.5 billion for weapons
activities to keep the nuclear weapons stockpile safe, secure
and reliable through continued surveillance, assessment, and
life extension programs. This includes the Reliable Replacement
Warhead (RRW) program as a long-term strategy to maintain a
safe, secure and credible nuclear deterrent. 

The FY 2008 budget request maintains current commitments to the
nuclear deterrence policies of the Administration's Nuclear
Posture Review through NNSA's "Complex 2030", the long-term
strategy for effective transformation and modernization of the
Cold War era weapons complex into one that is more efficient,
smaller, and secure. To further nuclear nonproliferation
activities, the FY 2008 request of $1.7 billion supports the
international nuclear materials protection and cooperation
programs that are denying terrorists the nuclear materials,
technology and expertise needed to develop or otherwise acquire
nuclear weapons. The budget includes a request of $334 million
for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Plant project at DOE's
Savannah River Site that will dispose of 34 metric tons of U.S.
surplus plutonium and facilitate complex-wide consolidation of
nuclear material. The FY 2008 budget request also includes $162
million for NNSA to maintain its robust nuclear and radiation
emergency response teams and capabilities. 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($1.24 billion) 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy budget requests
$1.24 billion, $60 million (5 percent) more than the FY 2007
request. Much of this funding is an integral part of the
Advanced Energy Initiative and will help us achieve the
President's goal to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by 20
percent in ten years. It also expands key programs that focus on
developing new energy choices, including: vehicle efficiency
technology ($176 million); biomass ($179 million), including
research into cellulosic ethanol, made from switch grass, wood
chips, and corn stalks; the Solar America Initiative ($148
million); hydrogen technology including fuel cell development
($213 million); and wind projects ($40 million). 

Office of Nuclear Energy ($875 million) 

The Office of Nuclear Energy FY 2008 budget requests $875
million, a $242 million (38 percent) increase over the FY 2007
request. In addition to the $395 million for the Advanced Fuel
Cycle Initiative in support of GNEP, the budget request includes
Nuclear Power 2010 ($114 million), which will reduce barriers
for light water reactor designs and deployment; and Generation
IV ($36 million), which will focus funding on long-term research
and development to support the Next Generation Nuclear Plant
technology. The FY 2008 budget request supports implementation
of the standby support, or risk insurance, program called for in
EPAct, to protect against unexpected delays of nuclear power
plant construction and spur investments in emissions-free
nuclear energy. 

Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management ($495 million) 

The Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management requests
$495 million to further plan for operation of the safe,
permanent, geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and
high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, $50 million below
the FY 2007 request. The FY 2008 budget request sets DOE on a
path to file a license application no later than June 30, 2008,
continue the facility planning and safety design, make critical
infrastructure upgrades at Yucca Mountain to ensure worker
safety and operational efficiency, and build on national
transportation planning activities. 

Office of Fossil Energy ($863 million) 

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) FY 2008 budget requests $863
million, an increase of $214 million, or 33 percent above the FY
2007 request. The FY 2008 budget supports President Bush's
priorities to develop advanced clean coal technologies ($427
million) which includes FutureGen ($108 million), the
public-private international partnership to build the world's
first coal-fired power plant that produces electricity and
hydrogen with nearly zero-emissions; the Clean Coal Power
Initiative ($73 million) to initiate, by or before 2010,
demonstration of advanced coal-based power generation
technologies; and coal research and development activities ($246
million). As part of the Administration's effort to deploy clean
energy technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the budget
request includes $79 million in FY 2008 for sequestration work
including four large scale field tests, which have the potential
to store more than 600 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide,
the equivalent of more than 200 years of emissions from energy
sources in the United States. 

Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability ($115
million) 

The FY 2008 Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability (OE) budget requests $115 million, a decrease of $10
million (8 percent) from the FY 2007 request. This request
supports a variety of programs designed to modernize the
electricity transmission and distribution system; and increase
energy reliability, energy and system efficiency, and security.
Within the request, the Department will focus $86 million on
research and development (R) activities to strengthen grid
stability, reduce frequency and duration of operational
disruptions, and increase efficiencies. The budget request also
supports implementation of EPAct requirements in transmission
and energy corridor designation and coordination of Federal
agency transmission line permitting. Additionally, this budget
request supports OE energy emergency response capabilities to
ensure energy assurance through federal, state, and local
coordination. 

Office of Health, Safety and Security ($428 million) 

The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) was created by
Secretary Bodman last year to strengthen DOE's health, safety,
and security organization, which previously operated in separate
offices within DOE. The new office requests $428 million for FY
2008, an increase of $20 million, or approximately 5 percent
above the FY 2007 request for the combined activities of the
former offices, to support its mission of ensuring the safety
and health of the DOE workforce and members of the public and
the protection of the environment in all DOE activities. HSS is
responsible for policy development and technical assistance;
safety analysis; corporate safety and security programs;
education and training; complex-wide independent oversight; and
enforcement. 

Office of Environmental Management ($5.7 billion) 

The FY 2008 Environmental Management budget requests $5.7
billion, $173 million below the FY 2007 request, primarily due
to the completed clean-up of seven sites over the past two
years, including the 1,050 acre Fernald site in January 2007.
This budget request supports the Department's efforts to
complete clean-up of three additional sites in FY 2008 and
continue clean-up progress across the complex with a focus on
activities with the greatest risk reduction. The FY 2008 budget
requests $690 million to continue safe construction of the Waste
Treatment Plant at Hanford, which will stabilize high-level
waste currently stored in tanks into a glass form for disposal. 

Office of Legacy Management ($194 million) 

The Office of Legacy Management FY 2008 budget requests $194
million, $7 million below the FY 2007 request, to support the
long-term stewardship responsibilities where active remediation
has been completed and payment of pensions and benefits for
former contractor workers after site closure is needed. This
budget request reflects the transfer of clean-up sites completed
by the Office of Environmental Management. 

Source: U.S. Department of Energy 

judythpiazza@gmail.com
 Copyright � 2007, NewsBlaze, Daily News
*****************************************************************
 65 Knox News: Nuclear news papers

Giant collection of DOE research housed at OR facility

By FRANK MUNGER, munger@knews.com 

February 5, 2007                                                                

OAK RIDGE - In a government town that's known for its remarkable 
resources, the Office of Scientific and Technical Information 
probably doesn't get the attention it deserves. 

It's in a converted warehouse, and it's not a stop on any 
historical tours. It doesn't have the glamour of Oak Ridge 
National Laboratory or the daunting security of the Y-12 nuclear 
weapons plant. 

It doesn't even glow in the dark, unless somebody forgets and 
leaves the lights on. 

But OSTI is a cool place, especially in these info-crazy times. 

The U.S. Department of Energy facility is a reservoir for 
scientific research, and it houses, in one form or another, all 
the research conducted by DOE or its predecessor agencies - 
dating all the way back to the World War II Manhattan Project and 
even before. 

The nuclear pioneers are well represented. Enrico Fermi. Edward 
Teller. Glenn Seaborg. Oak Ridge's own Alvin Weinberg. Their work 
is all here. So is that of Nobel Laureates in physics, chemistry 
and biology. 

One of OSTI's missions is to make sure that knowledge is 
available to those who need it most - the scientists - and the 
sooner the better. 

"We have a theory that accelerating the diffusion of scientific 
knowledge accelerates the progress of science itself," Brian 
Hitson, OSTI associate director, said during a recent tour of the 
133,000-square-foot facility. 

That's why federal workers, such as Vesta Flynn and David 
Gottholm, are working on a project to convert millions of pages 
of paper documents to an electronic form and make them rapidly 
accessible on the World Wide Web. 

Since 2000, all of the research results coming from the national 
labs and other science institutions funded by DOE have been 
provided to OSTI in an electronic form. The goal is to eventually 
digitize everything. 

So far, OSTI has converted about 100,000 of the estimated 1.2 
million paper documents stored here. The average scientific 
document is about 75 pages. 

The near-term priority is to convert all documents from the 
1990s, because those contain the newest research results and the 
ones most needed by scientists. Next up are the oldest documents, 
especially those in a fragile condition or those of great 
historical significance. 

The Oak Ridge staff also receives specific requests from lab 
scientists. If the documents aren't classified or otherwise 
restricted, they usually can be digitized and made available 
within a few days. 

Soon after the wartime Manhattan Project ended, military leaders 
ordered that all relevant classified and unclassified research 
performed during the A-bomb project be collected and stored in 
Oak Ridge - one of the participating sites. That was the origin 
of OSTI, although it's been known by various other names over the 
years. 

About 15 percent of the document collection at the Oak Ridge 
facility remains classified, and, because of the obvious 
restrictions, OSTI employees don't have a lot to say about it. 

Asked if the classified vault contains the designs for the first 
A-bomb or the results from the Trinity test, Hitson replied, 
"Well, you could infer we have certain things." 

But he declined to specify any of the locked vault's contents. 
"We don't want to end up in the slammer," he said. 

The vaults at OSTI are computer-controlled for temperature and 
humidity to help preserve the paper documents. 

Increasingly, however, the emphasis at the Oak Ridge facility is 
on the Web and the various information tools - such as the 
Information Bridge and Science.gov - that provide bibliographic 
information or access to full-text documents. These tools can be 
found at www.osti.gov. 

OSTI has a working agreement with the National Archives and 
Records Administration, which maintains the Declaration of 
Independence and the nation's other important documents. Hitson 
said in the future the National Archives wants to start receiving 
electronic copies of documents from the research labs. 

"Not for public dissemination but for long-term archiving," he 
said. 

Also, the Department of Energy recently signed a partnership 
agreement with Great Britain to develop a global science gateway. 
As part of that, OSTI will work with the British Library and 
other international teams to have a prototype of Science.world in 
place later this year. 

The electronic world continues to boom. 

Several years ago, OSTI workers were thrilled because their Web 
sites received about 5 million transactions a year. Now, however, 
that total is up to about 50 million transactions annually and 
increasing rapidly. 

That's not just a number, Hitson reminds everyone in earshot. "It 
speeds up science." 

Senior writer Frank Munger may be reached at 865-342-6329.

MICHAEL PATRICK NEWS SENTINEL                           
 				
Vault custodian Vesta Flynn stands inside the Department of 
Energy�s Office of Scientific and Technical Information in Oak 
Ridge on Jan. 17. More than 1 million files inside the vault 
contain research documents in physics, chemistry and other 
scientific topics related to the Department of Energy�s mission 
and date back to the early days of the Manhattan Project. 

MICHAEL PATRICK NEWS SENTINEL                           
 				
� 2007 - Knoxville News Sentinel
    
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