I 'I

: •' • - ,1. i- a. 5 "r APRIL/MAY 1999, VOLUME 14, NUMBER 2 (83) INIS-XA-165 XA9950270

M Sfa iT w n ( & A i [3 t & ft JS^ M K vr ft Si "Si #*^ A if1 s /M lAICi STrP\ i States that are parties to the Convention. Sessions included lations - it was nevertheless not- international Convention on the presentation of national ed that all Contracting Parties par- Nuclear Safety are taking "steps reports from Contracting Parties ticipating in the meeting are in the right direction"to achieve on their nuclear safety pro- taking steps in the right direction. and maintain a high level of safe- grammes, specifically focusing on The full Summary Report of ty at nuclear installations. The measures they have taken and the meeting was issued 23 April Convention's Contracting Parties planned to implement the 1999 and is accessible over the met for two weeks in April at Convention in their respective IAEA's WoridAtom Internet ser- IAEA headquarters in Vienna to countries. Each national report vices at http://www.iaea.org. The review progress and plans. The was reviewed and discussed in site additionally includes links to two-week Review Meeting - depth, including the exchange of the full text of the Convention with participation by 45 of the written questions and comments. and the latest status list of Convention's 50 Parties — was In a concluding Summary Contracting Parties. Also acces- the first within the framework of Report, the Contracting Parties sible on the site's NuSafe Web the Convention, which came into noted that the review process pages (www.iaea.org/ns/nusafe) force in 1996 and calls for such had demonstrated the strong are national reports and back- "peer review" meetings to be commitment to the Convention's ground information about the convened at three-year intervals. safety objectives. At the same Review Meeting's organization The Convention's objective is to time, it was noted that there were and planning. achieve and maintain a high lev- variations among Contracting el of nuclear safety worldwide, Parties with regard to the levels through the enhancement of from which they started imple- national measures and interna- mentation of Convention obliga- Eighteen countries around tional cooperation. Chairman of tions, as well as in the resources the world are relying on the meeting was Mr. Lars available nationally for improve- nuclear energy to provide Hoegberg of Sweden. ment programmes in progress. 25% or more of their total The April meeting's main pur- Even though additional steps are electricity needs, based on pose was to review the national required to reach the data reported to the IAEA. nuclear safety programme of Convention's principle objective Nuclear shares of total elec- each Contracting Party, in line - to achieve and maintain a high tricity generation among with State obligations under the level of safety at all nuclear instal- these countries in 1998 ranged from just over 77% in Lithuania to just over 27% in the United Kingdom. In 1998, four new nuclear In April 1999, the United States became the 50th Contracting Party plants were connected to the to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. The full list of Parties includes: grid - three in the Republic of Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Korea and one in Slovakia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech and construction started on Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, four new plants in China and Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Japan. Worldwide, 36 new Luxembourg, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, nuclear plants are being built Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, in 14 countries. All told, 31 Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, countries are operating 434 Switzerland,Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States. nuclear plants for electricity To keep abreast of the Convention's status, check the IAEA's generation. See the table and WoridAtom Internet services' section on "Laws/Conventions" at graph on page 8 for more http://www.iaea.org/worldatom. information.

30-22 IIP:

In an April address in Sendai, tion and prevention of illicit traf- Japan, IAEA Director General ficking. The full text of his state- Mohamed ElBaradei reviewed ment is accessible over the the major global challenges and Agency's WorldAtom Internet opportunities facing nuclear services at http://www.iaea.org. power. "The global challenge is Other recent statements of the to develop strategies that foster Director General accessible on a sustainable energy future that the site include: will be less dependent on fossil II The Peaceful Uses of sources,"he said in his address Nuclear Energy, statement at to the 32nd meeting of the the Diplomatic Institute, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum. Amman, Jordan, 5 March 1999. IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei spoke Nuclear power's future contri- 11 Nuclear Energy in the with visitors attending a special exhibit at the bution, he said, is closely tied to Service of Development and Vienna International Centre in April. The exhib- two key factors - public confi- Peace: The Role of the it focused on the history and achievements of dence in its safe and exclusively International Atomic Energy the United Nations in the field of nuclear disar- peaceful use and the demon- mament. It was organized by three non-gov- Agency, statement at the India ernmental organizations associated with the UN stration of its economic com- Habitat Centre in New Delhi, 19 Department of Public Information - the Veterans petitiveness in the energy February 1999. Against War of Japan, the Veterans for Peace of marketplace. II The Role of the the United States, and Franciscans International - and co-sponsored by the UN Centre for In his remarks, the Director International Atomic Energy Disarmament Affairs and the Non- General focused on four major Agency in Technology Transfer Governmental Committee on Disarmament, topics: nuclear power and the for the Peaceful Use of Nuclear with support from the Permanent Mission of global energy mix; nuclear safe- Energy and the Strengthening Japan to the United Nations. The presentation ty and the importance of public of the Safeguards System. The ofthe exhibitwhich featured photographs and narratives on the UN's efforts over the past half confidence;economic competi- Director General delivered sep- century for a nuclear-weapon-free world, was tiveness and the role of research arate speeches on this subject made by Mr. William Epstein, former Director of and development; and the late last year in Brasilia, Buenos the UN Centre for Disarmament. importance of nuclear verifica- Aires, and Santiago.

International symposia, confer- advances, and provide a basis for efficient contribution of MOX ences, and seminars of the IAEA decisions about further research fuel to the operation of LWRs in 1999 include: and development projects. and FBRs and for extensions to & International Symposium H International Symposium other reactor systems. on Isotope Techniques in Water on Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel n International Conference Resources Development and Cycle Technologies for Medium- on the Strengthening of Management, Vienna, Austria, and Long-Term Deployment: Nuclear Safety in Eastern 10-14 May 1999. Issues of fresh- Experience, Advances, Trends, Europe, Vienna, Austria, 14-18 water scarcity and the degradation Vienna, Austria, 17-21 May 1999. June 1999. Following political of its quality are of growing inter- Mixed-oxide fuel, originally changes in Eastern Europe,atten- national concern. Water pollution, developed for fast-breeder reac- tion was centred on the safety of salinization and over-exploitation tors (FBRs), is now mostly used nuclear power plants designed are serious hindrances to sustain- in light-water reactors (LWRs). in the former Soviet Union more able development, and isotope Thirty-four operating LWRs, six than two decades ago. These techniques have shown they play FBRs and one advanced thermal plants were constructed and an important role in combating reactor are fuelled with MOX. operated according to Soviet these problems. Research and Today's MOX fuel technologies safety standards issued in the applications of isotope techniques constitute a well-grounded basis 1960s. The safety approach in water resources development for industrial MOX fuel process- adopted in their design and and related environmental disci- ing and utilization.This sympo- operation was different from plines will be the focus of this sym- sium examines experience and posium. It will review recent prospects for achieving more Continued on page 6

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No.2 (83) At its meetings beginning 7 June the Director General's proposal 1999 in Vienna, the IAEA Board for a Nuclear Arms Control of Governors will be asked to Verification Fund, the verification approve the Agency's draft reg- of fissile material designated as ular budget for the year 2000. excess by the United States and The budget - calling for zero real Russia, the conclusion of safe- growth with expenditures of US guards agreements and $222.7 million - was submitted Additional Protocols for strength- for review in early May at meet- ened safeguards,and a report by ings of the Board's Programme the Director General on IAEA and Budget Committee. The safeguards in the Democratic budget covers activities in six People's Republic of Korea. major programme areas: nuclear Other items concern the power and the fuel cycle; nuclear Agency's activities related to the On verification matters, the applications; nuclear, radiation, Year 2000 computer problem Board authorized the Director and waste safety; nuclear verifi- (see report, next page) and the General to conclude Additional cation and security of material; Secretariat's preparation of the Protocols for strengthened safe- management of technical coop- medium-term strategy. guards with Norway and the eration; and policy-making, coor- March Board meetings. The Republic of Korea. The action dination, and support. twin focus of the Board's meet- brought to 40 the number of A full range of other items are ings in March 1999 was on mat- States with approved Additional on the Board's provisional agen- ters related to nuclear, radiation, Protocols. (See box below.) The da for June. They include those and waste safety and to nuclear Board appealed to Member related to the 1998 technical verification and security of mate- States which have not yet done cooperation programme and rial. In considering reports on so to take steps to conclude ways to further strengthen tech- safety-related items, the Board Additional Protocols as soon as nical cooperation activities; and commended work being done in possible. to nuclear verification and secu- key areas, and noted the impor- rity of material, including safe- tance of further strengthening Photo: IAEA Board Chairman Miroslav Gregoric guards implementation in 1998, international cooperation. ofSlovenia.

STRENGTHENED SAFEGUARDS SYSTEM: STATUS OF ADDITIONAL PROTOCOLS More States have accepted Additional Georgia, signed 29 Sept. 1997 Netherlands (EU), signed 22 Protocols for the Agency's application Germany (EU), signed 22 Sept. Sept. 1998 of strengthened safeguards. The latest 1998 New Zealand, signed and ratified status report, as of April 1999, includes: Ghana, signed 12 June 1998 24 Sept. 1998 Armenia, signed 29 Sept. 1997 Greece (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 Norway, (approved by the IAEA Australia, signed 23 Sept. 1997; Holy See, signed and ratified 24 Board 24 March 1999) ratified 12 Dec. 1997 Sept. 1998 Philippines, signed 30 Sept. 1997 Austria (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 Hungary, signed 26 Nov. 1998 Poland, signed 30 Sept. 1997 Belgium (EU), signed 22 Sept. Ireland (EU), signed 22 Sept. Portugal (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 1998 1998 Bulgaria, signed 24 Sept. 1998 Italy (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 Slovakia (approved by IAEA Canada, signed 24 Sept. 1998 Japan, signed 4 Dec. 1998 Board, 14 Sept. 1998) China, signed 31 Dec. 1998 Jordan, signed and ratified, Slovenia, signed 26 Nov. 1998 Croatia, signed 22 Sept. 1998 28 July 1998 Spain (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 Cyprus (approved by IAEA Board, Korea, Republic of (approved by Sweden (EU),signed 22 Sept. 25 Nov. 1998) the IAEA Board 24 March 1999) 1998 Denmark (EU), signed 22 Sept. Lithuania, signed 17 March 1998 UK (EU) signed 22 Sept. 1998 1998 Luxembourg (EU), signed 22 Uruguay, signed 29 Sept. 1997 Finland (EU), signed 22 Sept. Sept. 1998 USA, signed 12 June 1998 1998 Monaco (approved by IAEA Uzbekistan, signed 22 Sept. France (EU), signed 22 Sept. 1998 Board, 25 Nov. 1998) 1998; ratified 21 Dec. 1998

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No. 2 (83) Y'P

The IAEA is serving as a participated in sessions. As a u) ^ h * i clearinghouse and contact part of follow-up activities, . , y point at the request of its the IAEA is planning to orga- Member States on the Year ¥2K. IAEA nize expert missions and 2000 (Y2K) problem as it training courses in specific concerns nuclear and related areas. technologies and computer 1 Regarding nuclear power services. plants and research reactors, Information on the full an active assistance pro- range of the Agency's activ- gramme is in place, including ities now is accessible over missions to assess and review its WorldAtom Internet ser- systems at specific plants. vices, in a special series of Expert teams organized by "Nuclear Forum" pages, at the IAEA are coordinating www.iaea.org/worldatom/pro- work with activities of other gram/y2k, The pages were organizations, including the developed by the Division of World Association of Nuclear Public Information to coor- Operators, International dinate the global exchange Union of Producers and of information on the Distributors of Electrical Agency's Y2K activities and Energy, Commission of the related topics. European Communities, and EffllsA -J.g.tu sms^m BMSI umvn > am The site is designed as a I US Department of Energy. one-stop directory for infor- Other programme elements mation about Y2K activities car- ested scientists, governmental include an international work- ried out in the Agency, its officials, journalists, and other shop scheduled for July 1 999 Member States, and internation- members of the public can that is designed to encourage al organizations within and out- exchange information by elec- information exchange on Y2K side the UN system. It covers four tronic mail. More than 40 partic- problems detected in equip- broad categories: documents ipants have registered to use the ment according to reactor and reports; information about forum, including energy journal- types and to share solutions to IAEA activities related to nuclear ists and government and indus- the problems. safety, radioactive waste man- try officials. For nuclear fuel cycle facilities, agement, medical facilities, safe- Missions, workshops, and the IAEA — through an expert guards, and internal computer seminars.Through various chan- group that met in Vienna in late systems; current news and view- nels, the Agency is assisting its March 1999 — has examined points of experts; and links to Member States through expert specific problems that could other Y2K Internet information missions, seminars, and work- arise, issuing a report on the sub- resources, including sites in more shops. Activities include those ject. than 20 Member States. A num- addressing Y2K issues relative to Upcoming activities include ber of IAEA documents are elec- nuclear safeguards and physical two workshops in areas of tronically available over the site. protection; nuclear power plants radioactive waste management They include the Agency's Y2K and research reactors; nuclear and medical facilities. One work- Action Plan,a technical guidance fuel cycle facilities; radioactive shop, planned 28-30 June in document on nuclear safety for waste management;and medical Vienna,focuses on the exchange achieving Y2K readiness; and facilities. of information on safety mea- technical documents on safety In the area of safeguards, an sures to address Y2K issues at measures with respect to international seminar was held radioactive waste management radioactive waste management in Vienna in early February 1999 facilities. The second workshop, facilities and at medical facilities on Y2K issues as they affect focusing on Y2K-related safety that use radiation generators nuclear safeguards and physical measures at medical facilities, and radioactive materials. protection of nuclear materials. also is planned 28-30 June in An interactive feature of the Representatives from 48 coun- Vienna; it is being organized in Y2K pages is an on-line discus- tries and companies involved in cooperation with the World sion forum through which inter- information technology services Health Organization.

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No. 2 (83) More States are taking steps to join international conventions in nuclear safety and related fields that have been adopted under IAEA auspices. H Convention on Nuclear Safety. On 11 April 1999, the United States ratified the Convention, becoming the fiftieth Contracting Party. Other countries who have joined over the past year include Denmark (13 November 1998, accepted), Belarus (29 October 1998, acceded), and Armenia (21 September 1998, ratified). As of late April 1999, the Convention the Convention. In 1998, of late Apri 11999, the Convention had sixty-five signatories and Uzbekistan and Moldova had thirteen signatories: fifty parties. (See related item, deposited instruments of Argentina, Australia, Czech frontpage.) accession (9 February 1998 and 7 Republic, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, U Joint Convention on the May 1998, respectively) and Bosnia Lithuania, Morocco, Peru, the Safety of Spent Fuel and Herzegovina an instrument of Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, and Management and on the succession (30 June 1998). As of the United States. Safety of Radioactive Waste late April 1999, sixty-four States H Convention on Assistance in Management. The Convention had become Parties. the Case of a Nuclear Accident added two more parties recently. B Vienna Convention on Civil or Radiological Emergency. On 25 March 1999, the Czech Liability for Nuclear Damage. Panama ratified the Convention Republic approved the On 13 April 1999, Uruguay on 1 April 1999. Belgium ratified it Convention, and on 25 February deposited its instrument of earlier this year (4 January 1999). In 1999 Slovenia ratified it. The accession. In 1998, Belarus 1998, Moldova acceded to it (7 Netherlands signed the deposited an instrument of May 1998) and Bosnia and Convention 10 March 1999. ratification (9 February 1998), Herzegovina succeeded to it (30 Other signatures and ratifications Moldova an instrument of June 1998). As of late April 1999, over the past year include Russia accession (7 May 1998), and Bosnia seventy-nine States had become (27 January 1999, signed), and Herzegovina an instrument of Parties. Canada (7 May 1998, signed and succession (30 June 1998). As of H Convention on Early ratified), Croatia (9 April 1998, late April 1999, thirty-two States Notification of a Nuclear signed), Hungary (2 June 1998, had become Parties. Accident. Panama ratified the ratified), Peru (4 June 1998, H Protocol to Amend the Convention 1 April 1999. signed), Philippines (10 March Vienna Convention on Civil Belgium ratified it earlier this 1998, signed), Spain (30 June Liability for Nuclear Damage. year (4 January 1999). In 1998, 1998, signed), Austria (17 Romania ratified the Protocol 29 Moldova acceded to it (7 May September 1998, signed), December 1998, becoming its first 1998) and Bosnia and Bulgaria (22 September 1998, party. As of late April 1999, the Herzegovina succeeded to it (30 signed), Slovakia (6 October Protocol had fourteen signatories: June 1998). As of late April 1999, 1998, ratified), Germany (13 Argentina, Belarus, Czech eighty-four States had become October 1998, ratified), and Republic,Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Parties. Australia (13 November 1998, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, signed). As of late April 1999, thir- For updated status reports and and Ukraine. ty-nine States had signed the texts of the Conventions, visit the Convention and seven States B Convention on Supple- IAEA's WorldAtom Web site at had become Parties. mentary Compensation for http://www.iaea.org. On the front D Convention on the Physical Nuclear Damage. Romania page, click on "Laws/Conventions" Protection of Nuclear Material. ratified the Convention 2 March in the Quick Index for easy access On 1 April 1999, Panama ratified 1999, becoming its first party. As to the pages.

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No. 2 (83) continued from page 2 lower enriched fuels; spent fuel irradiation; discuss communica- storage problems; management tion strategies for consumers what was then prevalent in the of radioactive waste; the mainte- and the food industry to expand West. After nearly one decade of nance of quality of equipment the acceptance and application national and international and personnel; the introduction of this technology; identify key efforts, this conference reviews of a safety culture in research issues in further development of both the achievements in reactor facilities; extended shut food irradiation to ensure safety improving safety of Soviet- down situations and their impli- and quality of food; and develop designed plants and the tasks to cations; mothballing and decom- an agenda for research, devel- be addressed in the future. missioning; and the regulatory opment and application of food • International Symposium approaches related to major irradiation for the next century. on Technologies for the issues. Participants include II International Symposium Management of Radioactive designers, operators, managers, on Restoration of Environ- Waste from Nuclear Power and regulators in the areas of ments with Radioactive Plants and Back-End Nuclear research reactor utilization, safe- Residues, Arlington, Virginia, USA, Fuel Cycle Activities, Taejon, ty, and management. 29 November-3 December 1999. Republic of Korea, 30 August-3 B Seminar on Mutation Radioactive residues can origi- September 1999. Nuclear power Techniques and Molecular nate from a number of sources. reactors generate fission and neu- Genetics for Tropical and They include the decommission- tron activation products that end Subtropical Plant Improvement ing of various installations of the up in radioactive waste or spent in Asia and the Pacific Region, nuclear fuel cycle; radioactive fuel assemblies. Wastes also are Manila, Philippines, 11-15 Octoberwaste disposal,either on land or generated in the back-end of the 1999. Gene transformation tech- in the marine environment; nuclear fuel cycle and from the nology has facilitated the cre- nuclear weapons production; decommissioning of power ation of novel crop varieties that nuclear testing; use of radionu- plants and fuel cycle facilities.This are tolerant to diseases and clides in medicine and research; symposium reviews the current some insects. Molecular marker use of sealed and unsealed radi- status of technological infra- technologies have localized the ation sources in industry; the structures needed for safe, envi- chromosomal regions of impor- extraction and processing of ronmentally sound, and cost- tance for yield as well as inherent materials containing natural effective management of radioac- resistance to pests.The applica- radionuclides, and other activi- tive waste from nuclear power tion of these techniques, in com- ties that may generate enhanced generation. Presentations exam- bination with induced levels of natural radionuclides ine the status of integrated and mutations, in agriculture shows (radium,thorium, phosphates,oil optimized waste management great promise for increasing crop and gas production); misuse of systems; achievements in the production. This Seminar will materials containing natural management of radioactive focus on the current status of radionuclides (e.g. uranium mill waste; and progress in other areas mutation techniques and relat- tailings used in landfills or in res- of special importance to achiev- ed molecular genetic approach- idential construction); and acci- ing further technological es, and the application of these dents involving the release of improvements. technologies in the areas of plant radionuclides into the environ- research and crop improvement. ment. One aim of this U International Symposium B International Conference Symposium will be to take the on Research Reactor Utiliza- on Irradiation to Ensure Safety first steps towards harmonizing tion, Safety and Management, and Quality of Food, Antalya, national policies and criteria for Lisbon, Portugal, 6-10 September Turkey, 19-22 October 1999. Thethe remediation of sites affected 1999. This symposium examines seminar will assess the future role by radioactive residues. global concerns related to the use of irradiation to ensure hygienic of research reactors.They include quality of food (for food of both their under-utilization, particular- animal and plant origin); assess Please note that information ly in developing countries; the the future role of irradiation as a about IAEA meetings is subject to need for their modification and substitute for fumigation and to change. Visit the Meetings refurbishment, either for improv- facilitate international trade in Calendar of the IAEA's WorldAtom ing utilization or for general food and agricultural commodi- Internet services at http:// upgrades and modernization;the ties; examine current regulatory www.iaea.org for updates and safety aspects of older facilities practices in approving and con- related information. Just click on and of modification projects; the trolling the application of food the meetings icon on the front implications of core conversion to page.

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No. 2 (83) Wl Outreach. The information about WIPP is available over the Web IAEA is organiz- pages of the US Department of Energy at ing public infor- http://www.doe.gov mation seminars in China and the H Food Irradiation Breakthrough. On the heels Czech Republic in of the US Department of Agriculture's approval of May and June irradiation of red meat in February 1999, companies 1999. The China in the United States are taking steps to apply the seminar, 18-20 food processing technology commercially. USDA May in Beijing, is regulations require ground beef to be free from a Dr. Ahmed Esmet Abdel-Meguid, Secretarybeing organized bacterial strain of E.coli that can cause food-borne General of the League of Arab States (right)in cooperation and IAEA Director General ElBaradei at the diseases and death, a requirement that irradiation seminar in Cairo. with the China can help food producers fulfill. Recently a Atomic Energy Authority. The June seminar, 22-24 California-based firm, Titan Corp., announced June in Prague, is being held in cooperation with agreements with major meat companies to provide the State Office for Nuclear Safety of the Czech irradiation services using electron beam Republic In early March 1999,the IAEA held a sem- technology. The first such facility is being built in inar in Cairo, Egypt, in cooperation with the League Iowa for scheduled completion later this year.Test of Arab States. The public information seminars are marketing of irradiated ground beef is expected financially supported by the Government of Japan. shortly thereafter as part of consumer acceptance studies. Si Next IAEA Member State. Honduras is poised to become the 129th Member State of the IAEA. Approval of the country's application for member- Mr.Munir Ahmad Khan, former Chairman of the ship was recommended by the IAEA Board of IAEA Board of Governors and head of the Governors in March 1999. The Board's recommen- Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for dation goes before the IAEA General Conference nearly two decades, passed away in Vienna, for approval in September. Austria,on 22 April 1999. A nuclear engineer, Mr. Khan entered the 11 New IAEA Appointments. Recent appointments international nuclear field through the"Atoms at the IAEA include: Mr. Pierre Goldschmidt, from for Peace"programme in 1956 and worked at Belgium,as Deputy Director General and Head of the the Argonne National Laboratory in the United Department of Safeguards; Mr. Arnold Bonne, from States before joining the IAEA in 1958. He served as an Agency Belgium, as Director of the Division of Nuclear Fuel staff member until 1972, when he returned to Pakistan to head the Cycle and Waste Technology, Department of Nuclear PAEC until 1991. He continued his close affiliation with the IAEA Energy;Mr. OlliHeinonen,from Finland, as Director, as a member of its Board of Governors for 12 years and as the leader Division of Operations A, Department of Safeguards; of his country's delegations at 19 IAEA General Conferences. He Mr.ShujaNawaz, from Pakistanis Director, Division was Chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors from 1986-87. of Documents and Conference Services, Department His record of national and international service included of Administration; and Mr. Adrian Shihab-Eldin,frorr\ membership in various groups and organizations dealing with Kuwait, as Director, Division for Africa, East Asia, and the nuclear policy and development at regional and global levels. He Pacific, Department of Technical Cooperation. was a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, the International Nuclear Academy, and the Pakistan Nuclear Society, and was 8 First Nuclear Waste Repository Opens. The honoured in Pakistan for his governmental service as Minister of world's first geologic repository for disposal of State. nuclear waste opened its vaults in late March 1999. Throughout retirement, Mr. Khan remained active on the Called the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the international scene, working on activities relating to nuclear repository is located in New Mexico, USA, and is disarmament, non-proliferation, nuclear power, and the application engineered for disposal of so-called transuranic of science and technology for economic development. His waste — which includes such items as clothing, informative essay on the IAEA and its early development was rags, and debris contaminated with radioactive published in 1997, on the occasion of the Agency's 40th elements, mostly plutonium — from US defense- anniversary, in the book International Atomic Energy Agency: related activities. It is located in a thick, bedded-salt Personal Reflections. formation at a depth of 650 metres. More

April/May 1999, Vol. 14, No. 2 (83) NUCLEAR POWER STATUS AROUND THE WORLD

IN OPERATION UNDER CONSTRUCTION NO. OF UNITS TOTAL NET MWE NO. OF UNITS TOTAL NET MWE

ARGENTINA 2 935 692 ARMENIA 1 376 BELGIUM 7 5 712 BRAZIL 1 626 1 229 BULGARIA 6 3 538 CANADA 14 9 998 CHINA 3 2 167 4 420 CZECH REPUBLIC 4 1 648 1 824 FINLAND 4 2 656 FRANCE 58 61 653 1 450 GERMANY 20 22 282 HUNGARY 4 1 729 INDIA 10 1 695 808 IRAN 2 111 JAPAN 53 43 691 1 863 KAZAKSTAN 1 70 KOREA, REP. OF 15 12 340 2 550 LITHUANIA 2 2 370 MEXICO 2 1 308 NETHERLANDS 1 449 PAKISTAN 1 125 300 ROMANIA 1 650 650 RUSSIAN FEDERATION 29 19 843 3 375 SOUTH AFRICA 2 1 842 SLOVAKIA 5 2 020 1 164 SLOVENIA 1 632 SPAIN 9 7 377 SWEDEN 12 10 040 SWITZERLAND 5 3 079 UNITED KINGDOM 35 12 968 UKRAINE 16 13 765 3800 UNITED STATES 104 96 423 WORLD TOTAL* 434 348 891 36 27 536 "This total includes Taiwan, China where six reactors totaling 4884 MWe are in operation, supplying 27.4% of total electricity in 1998. Table reflects status as of December 1998 as reported to the IAEA; data are preliminary and subject to change.

NUCLEAR SHARE OF ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Lithuania 177.21% France U 75.77% Belgium J 55.16% Sweden Ukraine [ Slovakia d Bulgaria [ Korea. Rep. of Id Switzerland d Slovenia d Japan [__ J 35.86% Hungary d 3 35.62% Spain d Germany [d 3 28.29% Finland d J 27.44% UK d IJ 27.09%

Armenia d J2-1:7% _,.,___ _ Czech Republic d 120.5% USA 1 ZJ 18.69% Russia P ] 13.08% Canada | I 12.44% Romania I 110.36% Argentina I | 10.04% South Africa I ! 7.25% Mexico f~ | 5.41% Netherlands | 14.12% India dl 2-51% China • 1.16% Brazil [J 1.08% Pakistan H 0.65% Kazakhstan 0.18%

IAEA Newsbriefi is published regularly by the Division of Public Information of the International Atomic Energy Agency, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria. Tel.: +43-1-2600-0 Fax: +43-1 -2600-29610 E-mail: [email protected]. IAEA Newsbriefs is published for information purposes only and is not an official record. Items may be extracted or reprinted provided acknowledgement of the source is made. An electronic edition of IAEA Newsbriefs is on-line through the IAEA's WorldAtom Internet services on the Worldwide Web at the address http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/inforesource/newsbriefs.

99-01379