Conf? u Topic 140 nukenet headlines MXE115 energy.nuclear 6:28 AM Jan 29, 1995 (at psuvm.psu.edu) (From News system) Via GlobeNet BBS, Paris Fr. ==> From: MXE115@psuvm.psu.edu ("Mike Ewall") NUKE-NET HEADLINE ALERT (Jan. 25) UPI is reporting that a top Russian official is warning that an ecological disaster is occurring in the Arctic and Baltic seas from decades of discharges of radioactive and chemical wastes, and several sunken nuclear submarines. (Jan. 25) UPI is reporting that the increasing commercialization of the information superhighway may crowd out interests of environmentalists, consumers, labor, and the poor. Nader listed 11 steps that the government should take to avoid this problem. (Jan. 25) UPI is reporting that Russia and China are contributing to Iran's nuclear weapons program by helping to complete atomic reactors for civilian purposes. The Clinton administration has lobbied unsuccessfully to prevent other countries from helping Iran with nuclear technologies. (Jan. 26) Reuter is reporting that a top US arms official believes Iran has decided to pursue developing nuclear weapons despite currently being in full compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. (Jan. 26) Reuter is reporting that German anti-nuclear protestors have sabotaged trains on the same route that nuclear waste will be transported soon. Leaflets reading "stop the castor" were found near the scene. (Jan. 27) Reuter is reporting that two French maintenance workers were slightly contaminated at the Chinese Daya Bay nuclear plant which is right over the border from Hong Kong. A meeting of Hong Kong's legislators was called for by the Friends of the Earth. Repeated phones calls from the legislators to the nuclear plant went unanswered. The contamintaion happened during refueling which is seen by many as the most vulnerable event during the course of operation. (Jan. 27) Reuter is reporting that Armenia will restart a Chernobyl-style nuclear power plant in June or July to alleviate severe power shortages. The plant was closed after the 1989 earthquake which killed 25,000 people was epicentered only 75 miles away. (Jan. 27) Reuter is reporting that Sweden may continue to operate its nuclear plants despite a referendum 15 years ago when Swedes voted to close the plants by the year 2010. Several of the country's nuclear power stations are aging and are closed regularly for repairs. But, nuclear supporters say that the plants could operate until 2025. (Jan. 20) Reuter is reporting that Japanese, South Korean and United States negotiators are making progress in talks to supply nuclear technology to North Korea which would eliminate their present usage of graphite reactors. (Jan. 19) Reuter is reporting that New Zealand's foreign minister is opposed to the planned February shipment of plutonium through the Tasman Sea. The shipment from France to Japan has been denounced by Greenpeace. (Jan. 20) Reuter is reporting that a 16-inch radioactive bare of Caesium-137 has been found along a roadside dump in Estonia. Officials are scanning the local death registers to attempt to determine if recent deaths can be attributed to the lethal dose being emitted by the source. It is believed that the source originated from a Soviet grain processing plant where it was used to purify grain. (Jan. 23) Reuter is reporting that Indonesia's minister for research and technology is defending plans to construct a controversial reactor in Central Java. Indonesia is the site of frequent earthquakes. (Jan. 24) Reuter is reporting that Taiwan has been offered the use of an uninhabited island located in the Marshall Islands for dumping its nuclear waste. Taiwan operates three nuclear power plants and a fourth is under construction. Waste is currently dumped on Orchid Island just off Taiwan's southeast coast, but the site will be full within two years. (Jan. 24) Reuter is reporting that the United States and North Korea have agreed on a method to store 8,000 spent fuel rods from N. Korea's graphite reactor. [The story does not specify the method.] (Jan. 25) Reuter is reporting that South Africa plans to shut down its uranium processing plant in March since it is not economically viable. South Africa plans to buy processed uranium on the open market. (Jan. 25) Reuter is reporting that Libya will not sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty until all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are destroyed in the entire region. end