Conf? u Topic 88 headlines Response 9 of 11 MXE115 energy.nuclear 11:46 PM Apr 14, 1995 (at PSUVM.PSU.EDU) (From News system) Apparently-to: perline From: "Mike Ewall" Subject: headlines NUKE-NET HEADLINE ALERT '95 (Mar. 28) UPI is reporting that South Korea's president is urging North Korea to reopen talks on the nuclear reactor agreement. (Mar. 29) Reuter is reporting that US and European Union negotiators failed to agree on trade issues of nuclear power, especially the sale and reprocessing of nuclear fuel. A Greenpeace spokesman revealed European companies plan to expand plutonium production by 800 tons during 1995. (Mar. 29) Reuter is reporting that Ukraine's nuclear energy chief fears the small amount of radioactive dust escaping from Chernobyl, but does not believe a new disaster is eminent as recent reports have stated. (Mar. 28) Reuter is reporting that the president of Belarus is dismissing reports that Chernobyl is in eminent danger. The European Union and other donors have offered only several hundred million dollars of the $4-6 billion required to find an alternative energy source for the region which would allow for the closing of Chernobyl. (Mar. 30) Reuter is reporting that U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said in opposition to Russia's plans to sale nuclear technology to Iran, that Russia would "rue the day it cooperated with this terrorist state" if the equipment helped Tehran develop nuclear weapons. (Mar. 31) UPI is reporting that South Korea says it will not contribute one penny to the US brokered nuclear reactor agreement with North Korea unless South Korean reactors are used. (April 1) Reuter is reporting that Pakistan's main opposition party says they must press ahead with its nuclear weapons program to keep pace with India's. Pakistan has one nuclear power plant and is building a second one with the help of Chinese engineers and workers. It also has atomic research facilities which international inspectors are not permitted to monitor. (April 1) Reuter is reporting that Germany is warning that the Tokyo subway nerve gas attack shows that international terrorists would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons. Germany is concerned because of recent seizures of weapons-grade materials in Germany and Europe. (April 1) Reuter is reporting that US Secretary of Defense William Perry watched the removal of a Soviet SS-19 nuclear missile from its silo so it can be cut up for scrap metal. The US has promised $205 million to help with the Ukraine's disarmament. (April 3) Reuter is reporting that the clean-up bill for US nuclear weapons program could cost as much as it did to produce the weapons according to the Department of Energy. Fully restoring the sites to pristine condition would cost $.5 trillion. About 70 percent of the clean-up costs would go to five major sites -- Hanford in Washington State, Savannah River in South Carolina, Rocky Flats in Colorado, Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee and Idaho Laboratory. The DOE report did not consider the cleanup of test sites since the technology does not exist. (April 4) Reuter is reporting that Slovakia said it will soon decide who will finance and finish building the Mochovce nuclear plant. A French company bid of $940 million has been undercut by a Czech firm, yet Slovakia is hoping the French will lower their bid still further. The Russian government has offered $150 million in cash and equipment. Environmentalists says a gas fired plant would be more economical. (April 4) UPI is reporting that the Clinton administration wants to exempt Pakistan from nuclear sanctions. This would allow Pakistan to receive US loan guarantees and $1.8 billion dollars in weapons despite legislation now in place to prevent such deals with countries pursuing nuclear weapons. (April 4) UPI is reporting that Pakistan is preparing to manufacture its own nuclear reactors. Pakistan already has one reactor operating and a second one under construction with Chinese assistance. The US and other western countries have imposed sanctions against Pakistan since they are not convinced the reactors will be used for peaceful purposes only. (April 4) UPI is reporting that an Indonesian study to site a nuclear plant in densely populated Java will be finished in May 1996. The feasibility study considers damage from earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanos. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain are reassuring countries which don't possess nuclear weapons that they will be assisted if attacked or threatened by nuclear weapons. The assistance is promised only if the threatened country is not pursuing nuclear capabilities of their own. The promises are an effort to get more nations to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that the US is satisfied that Romania is not developing nuclear weapons despite a 1992 report that showed 2 milligrams of plutonium had been separated from a fuel rod of a research reactor. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that South Africa is consulting with other nations to decide on signing the Non- Proliferation Treaty. South Africa is the only country to have dismantled its nuclear weapons. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that the shutdown of a Chinese nuclear plant would effect power supplies. Seven of the 53 control rods failed a test and require repairs. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that Britain pledged to aid any non-nuclear country that came under nuclear attack. Britain also said they would not use nuclear weapons unless attacked or an ally was under attack. (April 5) Reuter is reporting that China is promising to aid any non-nuclear country that comes under nuclear attack. China also pledged not to strike first or threaten other nations with nuclear attack. (April 5) UPI is reporting that China issued its first declaration on the use of nuclear weapons, a no-first-use policy. China has refused to stop nuclear testing and halt production of weapons-grade plutonium and uranium. China's nuclear arsenal is estimated at 1200 bombs. (April 6) Reuter is reporting that India is refusing to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty and will not meet with negotiators at the April 17 international conference in New York. India will not sign unless Pakistan and China sign. India denies having nuclear weapons or even a weapons program. (April 6) Reuter is reporting that South Africa is hiding the identities of its nuclear arms experts to prevent recruitment by foreign countries. The International Atomic Energy Agency has certified that all of South Africa's weapons-grade enriched uranium is accounted for. (April 6) Reuter is reporting that Britain and France have dropped demands for exemptions on the ban of nuclear tests. But, France's leading presidential candidates are still saying they are for the resumptions of testing. (April 6) Reuter is reporting that Egypt and Israel will meet again to negotiate Israel's refusal to sign the Non- Proliferation Treaty. (April 6) Reuter is reporting that France will assist any non-nuclear nation which is threatened or attacked with nuclear weapons. In an effort to meet criticism from many developing countries that could still block indefinite extension of the NPT, the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France are offering security assurances. (April 6) UPI is reporting that China's foreign minister is trying to calm growing fears over the recently troubled Daya Bay nuclear plant by saying that the shutdown had nothing to do with safety. But, experts say control rod problems will keep the plant shutdown for now. China plans to build the equivalent of nine Daya Bay reactors by the year 2000. (April 6) UPI is reporting that South Korea will not participate in North Korea's nuclear reactor projects if their reactor are not part of the deal. South Korea and the US intend to place sanctions against North Korea if it reactivates its nuclear program. u (April 7) Reuter is reporting that a London newspaper disclosed documents which prove Iraq is pursuing a nuclear weapons program. The newspaper said a defecting Iraqi nuclear scientist had vanished in Greece while trying to reveal details of the secret nuclear weapons program. (April 7) Reuter is reporting that Syria is urging Arab states to resist signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty until Israel does. Pressure is being applied to Arab states by international negotiators but not to Israel. (April 7) UPI is reporting that the US and North Korea will resume talks on light water reactors. North Korea has refused to accept reactors designed by South Korea and is threatening to restart their old Soviet-style graphite reactors if an agreement is not reached by April 21. end ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nukenet Headlines are not copyrighted. Please distribute freely. To sign onto NukeNet if you are not on the list, send mail to: LISTPROC@DOLPHIN.ENVIROLINK.ORG In the message, write: SUBSCRIBE NUKENET your name --- GIGO unreg at globenet vsn 0.99.940127