june 23, 2013 | No. 762 August 23, 2013 | No. 766

Editorial Dear readers of the WISE/NIRS Nuclear Monitor,

In this issue of the Monitor, Judith Taylor from EarthLife writes about the South Monitored this African government’s plans for nuclear power and the legacy of previous uranium mines. Patricia Lorenz, nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth, writes about issue: the controversy over EU state subsidies for nuclear power. Doug Weir from the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons writes about the health effects of The impact of nuclear in South DU in Iraq. Africa Judith Taylor - EarthLife Africa Joburg 1 We also have articles about the widespread public and political opposition to nuclear power in Taiwan; a surprising backdown by the Chinese government in the Buying a future for nuclear – EU face of public opposition to a nuclear fuel production plant; and debates in the US commission proposes new state concerning nuclear export agreements and weapons-sensitive nuclear technolo- aid for new nuclear gies. Patricia Lorenz, − Friends of the Earth 2

Feel free to contact us if there are issues you would like to see covered in the Birth defects: did the occupation Nuclear Monitor. of Iraq leave a toxic legacy? Doug Weir − the International Coalition to Regards from the editorial team. Ban Uranium Weapons 3 Email: [email protected] Sensitive nuclear technologies and US nuclear export The impact of nuclear in South Africa agreements Jim Green − editor Nuclear Monitor 5 Author: Judith Taylor − Branch Co-ordinator, EarthLife Africa Joburg Web: www.earthlife.org.za Taiwanese nuclear politics Email: [email protected] heats up Jim Green − editor Nuclear Monitor 8 There can be no more signifi cant time to be writing this than today, 18 August 2013. China cancels nuclear fuel centre following protests 766.4326 Yesterday, our National with the water to be treated to remove Jim Green − editor Nuclear Monitor 9 Nuclear Regulator (NNR) announ- the heavy metals but not the sulp- ced its approval for two smelters to hates before release into our major Nuclear News 10 be constructed at Pelindaba by the waterways – the Vaal-Orange system - Successful blockade at nuclear weapon Nuclear Energy Company of South and the Crocodile-Limpopo. This addi- base Buchel. Africa (NECSA). These smelters are tional pollution burden will add to that - Hiroshima’s Mayor lashes Japan- to be used to smelt the 14,000 tonnes of sewage, industrial and agricultural India atomic courtship. of radioactive metal held on the site. pollutants already compromising the - Tokyo exhibition shows harassment They have also given the approval for rivers in South Africa. The cost to the against anti-nuclear movement. cold commissioning. This is despite Water Boards in cleaning this water to - Japanese Peace Boat. the very strong case put forward at the potable will consequently be severely - World Conference against Atomic and public hearing last year for not allowing increased. Impacts on the ecosystems Hydrogen Bombs the facility to be built. NECSA did not and human and animal health are - Offshore wind could meet EU put forward a strong case, as they being ignored. The Department of electricity needs. were unable to even put forward the Health refuses to act and the Depart- cost of building the facility. ments of Water and the Environment refuse to regulate. Our legacy of Acid Mine Water has moved beyond dangerous to critical

Nuclear Monitor 766 South Africa’s Chernobyl situation, Flamenville and Olkiluoto are yet to industry and ensuring that the public is around Krugersdorp, Randfontein, be completed, are heavily over budget properly protected. Soweto and right out to KwaThema and the latter has employed mainly near Brakpan, continues to endanger Polish workers, seems to have been Whilst emergency exercises are held the lives of all the inhabitants of the overlooked completely. at both installations and the Public area. Radioactivity levels in many Safety Information Forums meet four areas refl ect those at Chernobyl. The The fi rst site favoured for the new times a year to report back to the only difference is that there are people nuclear power station is Thyspunt near affected parties, we are concerned living in those areas with infants as Port Elizabeth. This is an area where that these exercises do not score well well. The legacy of over 125 years of commercial calamari farming has been and errors are given too much time mining, polluted rivers and streams developed very successfully. Twenty to be remediated. In addition, neither plus tonnes of tailings containing thousand people are employed in this site has ever been subjected to a full arsenic, uranium, cadmium amongst export income generating industry. Environmental Impact Assessment, other heavy metals, continues to stand However, calamari are temperamental as they went into production prior to unrectifi ed and abandoned. and changes in water temperature this being a requirement. This gives could prevent them from continuing to environmentalists considerable pro- Many of the original mining companies breed, resulting in the loss of jobs. The blems, as we cannot obtain a com- have closed down or left the country building of the reactor is expected to prehensive report on the state of the (Anglo American being a case in create a mere 1186 jobs over 11 years. areas and the impacts. point). As result, the Chamber of Mines This does not seem like a viable pro- refuses to entertain any liability for rec- ject if even 5,000 jobs are lost in the In January this year, all the environ- tifi cation, leaving the tax-payers to foot calamari farming, which is predicted. mental NGOs and affected parties the bill. The affected communities pay met in Cape Town to form an alliance the penalty of increasingly bad health In addition, evacuation is compromised to campaign against Nuclear 1, as as the polluted air is breathed in and by there being only one road in and out the project is called. This Alliance the polluted water is drunk and used of the area. This resembles the already is known as Tsunami and has had a to water vegetables, which absorb the existing situations at both Koeberg further meeting, although most com- heavy metals. The vegetables are then and Pelindaba, where evacuation in munication is via email. A third meeting eaten, further compromising the health the case of an emergency would be is pending. Furthermore, we are alert of the consumers. extremely diffi cult. It is acknowledged to the fact that nuclear power is now that, at Koeberg, Eskom has no idea the most expensive way to generate On top of this, we have the proposed of how many people are in the area. electricity with coal power second. In rollout of another six nuclear power An emergency evacuation plan is not a country with the amount of sunlight plants along the southern coast of on Koeberg’s website and most of the and wind available to power sustai- the country. The European Union has people in the area are not aware of nable solutions, we feel very strongly promised funding for this (see www. emergency planning, as emergency that this should be the direction in info.gov.za/speech/DynamicAction?pa- exercises are not communicated to which South Africa should be moving. geid=461&tid=113400) and Russia them. In the case of Pelindaba, some The lower costs of the latter solutions has also put a strong proposal on the of the affected community would have should also be a valid reason to let go table (see www.bizcommunity.com/ to go past the reactor in order to eva- of nuclear and coal enabling South Article/196/494/98165.html). The focus cuate in the case of an emergency. Africa to move into the future and is on job creation and is highly favou- This raises concerns about whether improve the health of our communities. red by the government. The fact that the NNR is truly regulating the nuclear

Buying a future for nuclear – EU commission proposes new state aid for new nuclear Author: Patricia Lorenz, nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth Europe and GLOBAL 2000 / FoE Austria Web: www.foeeurope.org Email: [email protected]

Since Spring the EU Commission has been preparing a review for state aid rules, and in Summer a leaked draft caused a shock, mainly in German speaking media.

766.4327 The governments of Austria and German Chancellor Merkel is complex system. One exemption and Germany made clear they are clearly against it – at least in German from the ban on state aid is based on opposed to state aid proposals, but media, at least before elections on environmental protection in the EU only Austria handed over a statement September 22. Treaty. This made the so-called block of opposition. Denmark took a negative Under EU law state aid is forbidden, exemption for renewables possible, stance at the energy summit in May, unless allowed according to a very when different national systems

2 Nuclear Monitor 766 introduced the new technologies for the new units “at least for a while after measures are aimed at a common EU producing energy using wind or sun as operation started” as they like to add. objective.” fuel into the market. The current plan In numbers this is 30 years, the model for the new environmental and energy being copied from the UK, the strike Timing and Action guidelines for 2014−2020 constitutes price model, which is currently under GLOBAL 2000 / FoE Austria will start a major change by introducing a tech- negotiation between EdF and the UK the following activities via the relau- nology-neutral approach, based on government. nched campaign site www.my-voice. carbon only and recognising nuclear eu in early September: A petition open alongside renewables as a viable The current review of the guidelines for signatures by citizens emailed to solution to climate change. A change for environmental and energy state all EU Commissioners, because it is of those rules − which was pushed aid is a precondition, because the them who decide and only them. Not forward mainly by UK, Czech Republic EU Commission has to agree to this only the networks usually involved, but and France − would have very practi- extreme form of state aid consisting of a much broader involvement of political cal implications. a guaranteed minimum feed-in price players is under preparation. for nuclear for 30–40 years. Energy As soon as DG Competition starts the The experience of past years has Commissioner Oettinger calling this last consultation on this review – not proved that nuclear power plants idea “Soviet” says it all. earlier than September 22 because cannot be built without subsidies. This Germany obviously asked to have it is now acknowledged by those states While the EU Commission is hiding postponed until after national elections who called for the freest of all markets behind the fact that the paper leaked – we will inform about the start and − in the UK this is nuclear power pro- is only a draft and up for discussion, provide a statement people can send ject Hinkley Point C and Temelin in the a look at the draft itself shows that as a contribution against the EU plan Czech Republic and all other potential it is clearly pro subsidy of nuclear of giving nuclear a lifeline via state plants which might be under conside- and obviously added the EURATOM funding. The www.my-voice.eu website ration (Poland, Hungary). Treaty (compared to earlier drafts) will be regularly updated with press as an argument: “Insofar as these releases and key info. A new legal The Czech nuclear power project Guidelines set out rules on state aid analysis on state aid for nuclear will be Temelin 34 is directly depending on for nuclear, the assessment under published in September and in Novem- the possibility of direct subsidies. After the TFEU will take due account the ber the phase-out nuclear power in years of hammering that nuclear is objectives of the Euratom Treaty. …6.2 Europe study. Though the new guide- cheap and will be only market based Aid to nuclear energy : (157) Pursuing lines should be in force by 1 January and without any public subsidies, the development of nuclear energy, in 2014, most likely the decision will not the strategy changed. For the past particular by facilitating investment in be taken by the EU Commissioners months the two-third state-owned nuclear energy, is an objective cove- until next year. utility CEZ is offi cially in negotiations red under Article 2(c) of the Euratom to fi nd a way the Czech government Treaty and therefore the Commission For further information and how to take part please will guarantee fi xed feed-in tariffs for d o e s n o t q u e s t i o n t h a t s u c h s u p p o r t contact: [email protected] Birth defects: did the occupation of Iraq leave a toxic legacy? Author: Doug Weir − Coordinator of the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons Web: www.bandepleteduranium.org Email: [email protected]

During the occupation of Iraq, the city of Fallujah bore witness to has the potential to catalyse efforts to some of the most intense US combat operations since Vietnam, understand and confront the issue, but with 2004’s Operation Phantom Fury widely condemned for its fero- only if science can be allowed to rise city and disregard for international law.[1] above politics.

766.4328 Paediatrician Dr Samira a deformity for every 1000 live births. The politicisation of health research Al’aani has worked in the city since This is nearly six times higher than the in Iraq has deep roots. In April 2001, 1997.[2] In 2006 she began to notice average rate in the UK between 2006 plans were beginning to be put in place an increase in the number of babies and 2010, and one strong suspicion for a framework agreement between being born with congenital birth is that contamination from the toxic the WHO and Iraqi government that defects (CBD). Concerned, she began constituents of munitions used by was intended to establish projects to log the cases that she saw. Through occupying forces could be the cause. aimed at improving public health care careful record keeping she has Now a new nationwide study by the in the country.[3] Among the projects determined that at Fallujah General Iraqi Ministry of Health, in collaboration were plans to improve the recording Hospital, 144 babies are now born with with the World Health Organisation, and registration of cancers and con-

Nuclear Monitor 766 3 genital malformations, and efforts to to the announcement, studies into Bad Sign visited the hospitals and identify substances in the environment rates had been limited in scope to a spoke with parents and doctors – all of that might be responsible for the incre- single hospital, and questions were rai- whom were convinced that the health ases in those diseases reported since sed about their methodology. Taken in problems they were witnessing were the 1991 Gulf War. Controversially for isolation these studies were insuffi cient linked to the war.[7] Journalist Yalda some states, depleted uranium from to generate the political will for action. Hakim took this up with staff from US and UK munitions was among the Additionally, concerns were expressed the Ministry of Health and was able environmental risk factors to be inves- over Iraq’s internal bureaucracy and to discuss the CBD data with them. tigated. power struggles after researchers Although nervous, and reluctant to pro- reported that medical staff were being vide too many answers, citing political After six months, the plans were in pressured into not speaking out. pressure, they confi rmed that the study disarray. While Baghdad had initiated Gradually, hopes began to fade that would fi nd a link between increased the project, after consultation the WHO effective research would ever see the incidence of CBDs and areas subject had announced that any costs asso- light of day. to the most intense fi ghting in 2003.[8] ciated with the projects would need to be borne by Iraq itself. “None of these From the outset, phase one of the If true, this is a hugely signifi cant and projects can really start until funding project was never due to consider profoundly political outcome, and has been found for them, and funding, causality – a fact that has drawn criti- while it doesn’t identify a single causal it has been agreed, will be at the Iraqi cism from some quarters. Its original factor for the increase in CBD rates, it initiative,” said Neel Mani, incoming aim was to gather baseline data from narrows the fi eld considerably. While director of the WHO’s Iraq programme selected districts and analyse spatial the long-term impact of explosive at the time.[4] The Iraqi government, and temporal trends in the incidence remnants of war such as landmines convinced that the health problems of CBDs. Progress on the project was and cluster bombs are familiar to most, had been caused by the 1991 Gulf War slow, with data collection hit by repea- questions are increasingly being asked and were thus the fault of the US and ted delays, but during 2012 the WHO, about the public health legacy of toxic its allies, refused to cooperate. Political which had posted a FAQ on the project remnants of war.[9] While the two concerns had trumped the needs of in response to growing interest from most notorious examples are depleted the Iraqi people. the public and media, announced that: uranium and the dioxin contaminated “The data collection process has been Vietnam-era herbicide Agent Orange, The United States has long been the recently completed and the results an analysis of commonly used military WHO’s largest single state donor and are being analysed by the Ministry of substances – from heavy metals to the institution has not been free of the Health and WHO. The data analysis explosives − demonstrates signifi cant criticism directed at other international process will conclude at the end of potential for harm from a range of bodies, such as the World Bank, in 2012 following which time the report materials. recent years that it is disproportiona- writing process will start.” [6] tely infl uenced by its largest patron. Unfortunately data on the toxicity, The reality is that vast sums of money The FAQ was notable in that it environmental behaviour and disper- are involved and state donors have pre-empted questions on causality. Of sal of these substances is limited as been keen to see returns that are these the possible link between deple- militaries have often only undertaken consistent with their interests and prin- ted uranium use and CBD rates was research into the effects on their own ciples, whether this is protection of Big covered; the tone was exasperated: “Is troops or when faced by domestic Pharma’s intellectual property rights the study looking at a possible link bet- regulations over emissions from fi ring or promoting neoliberal approaches ween prevalence of child birth defects ranges. This lack of data and the to health care provision. Yet in order and the use of depleted uranium? unpredictability of confl ict means that to be effective the WHO must be, and No, absolutely not. The study is only accurately predicting the risk to civili- be seen to be, genuinely independent. looking at the prevalence of congenital ans is enormously challenging. That no The WHO’s governing body, the World birth defects in selected governorates.” system of comprehensive post-confl ict Health Assembly, reopened the issue environmental assessment exists will of reform back in 2009 but progress This was understandable, the term ensure that many of these data gaps has been slow, particularly as different birth defect covers a diverse spectrum will remain. parties are pushing the reform agenda of disorders; causes include single in different directions. gene defects, chromosomal disorders, Broadcast of the BBC report in March multi-factorial inheritance, environ- was followed by updates to the WHO’s When the WHO announced in 2011 mental teratogens, maternal infections FAQ. Gone was the petulant ‘No, that it was to work with Iraq’s Health such as rubella and micronutrient absolutely not’ from the line on deple- Ministry on a nationwide study to defi ciencies. Amidst the wreckage of ted uranium and the fi rst of a series of assess the rates and geographic post-war Iraq, there was no shortage procedural delays was announced as spread of CBDs in the country, opti- of potential risk factors. committees were formed and new ana- mism began to build that this could be lyses proposed.[10] For campaigners a signifi cant fi rst step in the long path In March 2013, BBC World broadcast seeking disclosure of the data as a fi rst towards reducing harm and providing a documentary on the story. As with step towards focused research and assistance to affected families.[5] Prior other media reports, Born Under A humanitarian assistance in Iraq, the

4 Nuclear Monitor 766 delays were worrying. to the project may be scientifi cally jus- launched an online petition through

By July, further delays were announ- tifi ed on the basis of the dataset, it was Change.org (www.change.org/act4iraq ced, with the WHO’s FAQ stating: “It felt that the best way to ensure con- − with the associated twitter hashtag was established that this large data set fi dence in the fi ndings was to call for of #Act4Iraq) calling for the WHO to has a great deal of potentially valuable the study and analyses to be subject to immediately publish the collected data information and that additional analy- genuinely independent and transparent for independent peer review, so that ses not originally conceived of should peer review in an open-access journal. scientifi c conclusions can be drawn be done.”[11] The WHO added that: The WHO has used open-access and the affected parents can fi nally “... in addition to further analyses, it journals in the past so the request is understand what has happened to was determined the work should also not without precedent. Crucially, any their children.[12] For them, and for undergo the scientifi c standard of peer experts involved would be selected Dr Al’aani, the unfolding health crisis review. A team of independent scien- independently of the WHO. concerns far, far more than a debate tists is now being recruited to review over numbers and statistics. For those the planned analyses.” So how can civil society and individu- of us who are citizens of the states that als infl uence an organisation as mono- invaded Iraq, it is vital to understand The political ramifi cations of the study lithic and apparently compromised whether we carry a share of responsi- are obvious and, while the alterations as the WHO? On July 31, Dr Al’aani bility for those parents’ suffering, and to demonstrate to Iraqis that the world References: has not forgotten about their country. 1. www.theguardian.com/world/2005/apr/27/iraq.iraq5 2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8548707.stm 3. www.casi.org.uk/info/undocs/whodu011207.html 4. http://gulfnews.com/iraq-ordered-to-pay-for-uranium-probe-1.424896 5. http://mdtf.undp.org/document/download/6499 6. http://web.archive.org/web/20130310021801/http:/www.emro.who.int/irq/iraq-infocus/faq-congenital-birth-defect-study.html 7. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rmnt2 8. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21873892 9. www.toxicremnantsofwar.info 10 http://web.archive.org/web/20130617072338/http:/www.emro.who.int/irq/iraq-infocus/faq-congenital-birth-defect- study.html 11 www.emro.who.int/irq/iraq-infocus/faq-congenital-birth-defect-study.html 12 www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/world-health-organisation-and-iraqi-ministry-of-health-act4iraq-and-release-birth- defect-data

Doug Weir is Coordinator of the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons and manages the Toxic Remnants of War Project (www.toxicremnantsofwar.info), which explores the link between confl ict toxics and civilian and environmental harm. This article is reprinted from New Left Project. www.newleftproject.org Sensitive nuclear technologies and US nuclear export agreements

US business groups are lobbying the US government to limit the standard” for future agreements negotiation of bilateral nuclear trade agreements (known as section around the world. There has been 123 agreements under the 1954 Atomic Energy Act [1]) containing an ongoing debate as to whether the clauses banning the development of sensitive nuclear technologies “gold standard” SNT ban should be (SNT) − uranium enrichment and nuclear reprocessing. SNT can a condition of all future US nuclear be used to produce fi ssile material for nuclear weapons − highly agreements or whether it should be enriched uranium or plutonium considered on a case- by-case basis. 766.4329 The United Arab Emirates in European reprocessing plants. The Obama administration is agreed to not develop SNT as part of Moreover the agreement reportedly currently undertaking its third its 2009 agreement with the US.[2] contains an escape clause that allows successive internal review of the However the agreement does prohibit the UAE to exercise any more favou- matter.[3] Some have suggested a the stockpiling of plutonium separated rable terms that the US grants other compromise − US negotiators would from spent fuel produced in reactors Middle Eastern nations in subsequent seek an SNT ban in all or almost all in the UAE and separated in another nuclear trade pacts. agreements unless both the Secretary country − just as Japan stockpiles The Obama administration of State and the Energy Secretary plutonium separated from spent fuel dubbed the UAE agreement the “gold agree to waive the requirement.

Nuclear Monitor 766 5 There has also been discussion of last thing anyone truly opposed to remain in the room − North Korea and a regional approach − for example nuclear weapons proliferation would Japan − not to mention the nuclear the US might seek SNT bans in the push.”[5] weapons programs of the US itself and Middle East but put Asia in the too- of China. hard basket. Sokolski collaborated with Foreign Policy Initiative head Jamie Fly on a South Korea’s research into ‘pyropro- US business groups are fi ghting initia- February 2012 letter to Obama, signed cessing’ complicates the issue. Pyro- tives to limit the spread of SNT. In July, by 20 conservative defense experts, processing would involve separating the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Nati- recommending an approach stronger short-lived fi ssion products from spent onal Association of Manufacturers and than the case-by-case policy then in fuel, leaving plutonium mixed with the US Chamber of Commerce called favour in Washington. The signatories other transuranics (a.k.a. actinides). on the Obama administration to expe- − including former Defense Depart- That is far preferable to conventional dite conclusion of bilateral agreements ment policy head Eric Edelman, former reprocessing. On the other hand, and to adopt a “pragmatic” approach to national security adviser Steven Had- proliferators would much prefer to have SNT.[4] ley and former nuclear nonproliferation access to a mix of transuranics (inclu- envoy Robert Joseph − said: “Rather ding plutonium) rather than spent fuel, The business groups expressed than abandon efforts to tighten non- as spent fuel generates much more concern that as well as losing out on proliferation controls on civil nuclear radioactivity and heat and is therefore business opportunities to competitors exports, the United States should be much more diffi cult to handle. who do not impose the same restric- leveraging access to our market to tions, the US is also at risk of losing encourage French, Russian, and Asian Negotiations on a nuclear trade agree- infl uence on nuclear security and nuclear suppliers to tighten their own ment between the US and Malaysia non-proliferation on the global stage. rules to meet the nonproliferation gold may commence in coming years but The second argument is disingenuous standard.”[6] there is no indication as to whether − effectively the business groups are Malaysia would agree to SNT bans. saying the government ought to permit Asia Negotiations on a nuclear trade agree- the spread of SNT so the US is better There are indications that Taiwan ment between the US and Vietnam placed to limit the spread of SNT. might agree to an SNT ban as part of a have commenced, but Vietnam is nuclear trade agreement with the US. reportedly unwilling to agree to an SNT That disingenuous argument was [7,8] The current US−Taiwan agree- ban.[9,10] the basis of an April 25 joint letter ment, which does not include an SNT to the Obama administration by ban, expires next year. Taiwan might Middle East former deputy Defense secretary sign an agreement without an expira- Discussions are ongoing between the John Hamre, former national security tion date, meaning that the SNT ban US and Saudi Arabia on a nuclear advisers Brent Scowcroft and James would be in force indefi nitely. trade agreement.[11] The option of a Jones, former Defense secretaries ban on SNT in Saudi Arabia is under James Schlesinger and William South Korea is effectively a member discussion according to US State Cohen, and retired Adm. Michael Mul- of the ‘gold standard’ club as the 1992 Department offi cial Thomas Coun- len, previously chairman of the Joint Joint Declaration of the Denucleariza- tryman. However Saudi Arabia has Chiefs of Staff.[5] They argue against tion of the Korean Peninsula prohibits expressed unwillingness to forego tightening restrictions because the both North and South Korea from SNT. “U.S. civil nuclear industry is one of possessing enrichment or reproces- [Washington’s] most powerful tools for sing facilities. However North Korea Countryman dismisses concerns that advancing its nuclear nonproliferation has violated the Declaration, and the Saudi Arabia might develop nuclear agenda. ... Weakening it will merely situation in north-east Asia is further weapons, although members of the cede foreign markets to other suppliers complicated by Japan’s stockpiling of ruling family have said they might do less concerned about nonproliferation vast amounts of separated plutonium − just that in response to Iran’s nuclear than the United States.” In other words, a problem which will only worsen if the program.[12] Also of concern is the spread SNT to help stop the spread of Rokkasho reprocessing plant proceeds potential for instability in the kingdom SNT, and spread SNT or other coun- to operation (see Nuclear Monitor and who might control SNT if the ruling tries less concerned about the spread #763, ‘Japan’s reprocessing plans’). family is overthrown. of SNT will spread SNT. The US is pressing South Korea to Saudi Arabia has signed cooperation Henry Sokolski from the Nonprolifera- agree to maintain SNT bans as part pacts with a number of other nations tion Policy Education Center questio- of negotiations on the extension of including China, France, South Korea ned the letter’s contention that nuclear the nuclear agreement. South Korea and Argentina.[13] Canadian offi cials trade must be a principal vehicle for is unwilling to continue to forego SNT, have expressed concerns about the Washington’s non-proliferation objec- and deadlocked negotiations have potential for Saudi Arabia to pursue tives: “You’d think after our wretched been extended for two years. There nuclear weapons. “Minimal [Internatio- experience with civil nuclear programs is some hope that if Taiwan agrees to nal Atomic Energy Agency] safeguards in Iran, India, Iraq, Pakistan and our an SMT ban, South Korea might be are in place in SA [Saudi Arabia] past near-calls with Taiwan and South persuaded to do likewise. But even if to verify peaceful uses of nuclear Korea’s programs, this would be the Taiwan foregoes SNT, two elephants energy ... and it has refused to accept

6 Nuclear Monitor 766 strengthened safeguards,” offi cials trade in recent years, though the talks research, production and use of said in an assessment prepared for have stalled because of political tur- nuclear energy for peaceful purposes Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister last moil in the Middle East.[10,12] ... All the Parties to the Treaty under- year. “Many observers question SA’s take to facilitate, and have the right nuclear intentions, especially if Iran Jordan is reportedly unwilling to agree to participate in, the fullest possible were to acquire a nuclear weapons to an SNT ban [16] though there were exchange of equipment, materials and capability. As a result, SA does not hints in early 2012 that perhaps Jordan scientifi c and technological informa- meet Canada’s requirements for would agree to a ban.[17] tion for the peaceful uses of nuclear nuclear cooperation.”[14] energy.” The unfolding saga over US nuclear Countryman said he is “confi dent that export policy should be put in context. Lastly, an article on US nuclear export any civil nuclear cooperation we agree In particular, it needs to be seen in the policy would be incomplete without would not in any way contribute [to] or context of countless failed multilateral mention of the tireless − and ultimately encourage” nuclear weapons deve- and international proposals over the successful − efforts of the US under lopment in Saudi Arabia, although he decades to limit the spread of SNTs, the Bush administration to end the glo- surely knows that nuclear exports to such as the Bush administration’s ‘Glo- bal norm of prohibiting nuclear trade Saudi Arabia could indeed contribute bal Nuclear Energy Partnership’.[18] with countries that have not signed to and encourage proliferation. The US the NPT. The 2008 US−India nuclear National Intelligence Council warned in Such proposals fail for various rea- trade agreement has had a number of its 2008 ‘ Global Trends 2025: A Trans- sons, not least the unwillingness unfortunate, predictable outcomes − formed World’ report of the possibility of nuclear have-nots to forego legitimising nuclear weapons programs of a nuclear arms race in the Middle options and technologies that the and fanning proliferation in South Asia, East and noted that a number of states nuclear haves (weapons states and legitimising China’s supply of reactor in the region “are already thinking weapons-capable states) will not ren- technology to Pakistan, undermining about developing or acquiring nuclear ounce. Another complication is Article and complicating efforts to persuade technology useful for development of IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Iran to forego SNT, etc. The Obama nuclear weaponry.”[15] Treaty (NPT), which states: “Nothing administration has done nothing to in this Treaty shall be interpreted as undo the damage. The US has also held discussions with affecting the inalienable right of all Jordan and Syria regarding nuclear the Parties to the Treaty to develop

References: 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_123_Agreement 2. www.nti.org/gsn/article/obama-team-eyes-saudi-nuclear-trade-deal-without-nonproliferation-terms 3. www.nti.rsvp1.com/gsn/article/nuclear-trade-reform-bill-faces-hostile-lobbying-obama-team-renews-policy-review 4. www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-US_business_in_joint_plea_on_nuclear_trade-2307137.html 5. www.nti.org/gsn/article/former-defense-brass-object-more-restrictive-nuclear-trade-policies 6. www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-nuclear-trade-policy-concerns-mounting-capitol-hill 7. www.nti.org/gsn/article/taiwan-ready-forgo-nuclear-fuel-making-us-pact-renewal 8. www.nti.rsvp1.com/gsn/article/q-senior-us-envoy-expects-taiwan-nuclear-trade-pact-soon 9. www.nationaljournal.com/obama-team-eyes-saudi-nuclear-trade-deal-without-nonproliferation-terms-20110125 10 www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-could-secure-key-asian-nuclear-trade-deals-2013 11 www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-nuclear-marketers-visited-saudi-arabia-trade-talks-under-way 12 www.nti.org/gsn/article/q-envoy-says-saudi-nuclear-pact-would-not-lead-weapons 13 www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-nuclear-marketers-visited-saudi-arabia-trade-talks-under-way 14 www.nti.org/gsn/article/saudi-atomic-aims-worry-canada/ 15 US National Intelligence Council, 2008, “Global Trends 2025 – a Transformed World”, www.aicpa.org/research/cpahorizons2025/globalforces/downloadabledocuments/globaltrends.pdf 16 www.nationaljournal.com/obama-team-eyes-saudi-nuclear-trade-deal-without-nonproliferation-terms-20110125 17 www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-nuclear-trade-talks-vietnam-jordan-moving-forward 18 www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/nfc/mnfc

(Written by Nuclear Monitor editor Jim Green.)

Nuclear Monitor 766 7 Taiwanese nuclear politics heats up A parliamentary vote on whether to hold a referendum on the com- construction of the plant when it came pletion of the Lungmen nuclear power plant descended into a brawl to power in 2000. between opposing parties on August 2. [1] The DPP is calling for a phase-out 766.4330 The vote, proposed by the Around 100 citizens protested against of nuclear power, and even the KMT ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuo- the Lungmen plant inside and outside has pledged to make Taiwan nuclear- mintang − KMT), had been scheduled the parliament on August 2 as the free by the middle of this century.[9] to decide whether construction of political parties wrestled for control of Six reactors at three plants currently Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant, the podium.[3] Many are associated provide about 18% of the country’s which is nearing completion, should with the Taiwan Anti-Nuclear Action electricity. continue. Fourty politicians from the League, which comprises most of opposition Democratic Progressive the anti-nuclear civic organizations On March 9, anti-nuclear rallies swept Party (DPP) barricaded themselves in the country including the Taiwan across Taiwan ahead of the second inside the legislative chamber on Environmental Protection Union, the anniversary of the Fukushima disaster. August 1, remaining there overnight in Humanistic Education Foundation and According to rally organisers around an attempt to stop the August 2 vote the Green Citizens’ Action Alliance. 200,000 people attended protests taking place. Other protesters unfurled anti-nuclear nationwide, with 120,000 taking to the banners at 12 major intersections in streets in Taipei.[10] An opinion poll The brawl broke out as KMT politicians Taipei. conducted by the Taipei City Gover- tried to take possession of the podium nment in March showed that 66% of to allow the vote to proceed. Television On the same day, Greenpeace Taiwan residents in the capital wanted the footage showed politicians pushing warned that in the event of a nuclear Lungmen plant to be scrapped, with and shoving, two male politicians accident, none of the subcontractors just 18% supporting its continuation. wrestling on the fl oor, and bottles and working on the Lungmen power plant [11] cups of water being thrown at each would shoulder any responsibility. At other. The scuffl e led to the session a press conference co-hosted by the The Fukushima disaster resonated being suspended, without a vote on the Green Citizen’s Action Alliance, Green- strongly owing to similarities and links referendum taking place. peace said that General Electrics and between the two countries. Taiwan and Mitsubishi are indemnifi ed against Japan both suffer from seismic activity The DPP is calling for the Lungmen all responsibility. Senior Greenpeace (a 1999 earthquake in Taiwan killed plant to be scrapped without holding member Ku Wei-mu said the contrac- around 2,400 people). Both countries a referendum. At least 50% of eligible tors had no right to ask Taiwanese to are hit by typhoons − in mid July, a typ- voters would have to participate in a trust the safety of nuclear reactors if hoon left Taipower’s Chinshan 2 reac- referendum for it to be binding. Tai- they themselves were not prepared to tor offl ine and in need of repair.[12] wan has never passed a referendum. accept liability. A Greenpeace report The 50% participation threshold has states that in the event of a nuclear Taiwan’s Shihmen nuclear power not been reached in any of the six accident at the Lungmen plant, the plant may have been leaking small referenda held since the Referendum potential economic losses could amounts of radioactive water for more Act came into effect in January 2004, exceed US$1.1 trillion per annum.[4] than three years according to a report despite those referenda being held in published in August by the Control conjunction with national elections in On July 31, Lin Tsung-yao, a consul- Yuan, a government regulator.[13,14] A 2004 and 2008. The Taiwan Anti-Nu- tant on the Lungmen plant’s safety Taipower offi cial said the water did not clear Action League is calling for the monitoring committee, posted a report come from the storage pools, but may Referendum Act to be made less detailing a number of construction pro- have come from condensation or water restrictive. blems on the project. Lin questioned used for cleaning up the fl oor. The the quality of GE’s structural designs, Control Yuan did not accept the expla- The KMT said it would arrange six and said that the project is hampered nation and asked Taipower to look into shifts, each comprising 15-20 people, by the dearth of professionals at the other possible sources of the leak such to break through the DPP’s grip on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the as spent fuel storage pools. The conta- podium, but the ruling party later said Atomic Energy Council who under- minated water has been collected in a it would put on hold a motion to allow stand the issues and can adequately reservoir next to the storage pools. for a referendum on the nuclear plant. oversee the project. [5,6,7,8] “We will not rule out the possibility of The Control Yuan said there had been holding another, or third, extraordinary Construction began on the two 1350 a catalogue of errors, including a lack session of the Legislature to deal with MW Lungmen reactors in 1999, with of a proper plan for how to handle the issue,” said Lin Hung-chih, KMT the fi rst originally scheduled to enter spent nuclear materials and inade- Legislator and head of the party’s Cen- commercial operation in 2006 and the quate supervision by the Ministry of tral Policy Committee.[2] second in 2007. However, the project Economic Affairs. “The company has has been beset with political, legal yet to clearly establish the reason for and regulatory delays. The DPP halted the water leak,” it said.

8 Nuclear Monitor 766 References: 1. www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Taiwanese_nuclear_vote_turns_violent-0208135.html 2. http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201308050034.aspx 3. http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201308020040.aspx 4. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/08/02/2003568747 5. www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2013/08/06/385655/Expert-sorry.htm 6. http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201308040010.aspx 7. www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2013/08/02/2003568699 8. www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/08/06/2003569049 9. www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-New_nuclear_energy_policy_for_Taiwan-0311117.html 10 www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2013/03/10/372647/Up-to.htm 11 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323681904578643183739085350.html 12 www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Taiwan_reactor_offl ine_after_typhoon_1607131.html 13 www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/09/taiwan-nuclear-idUSL4N0GA0KI20130809 14 www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-09/nuclear-water-leaking-in-taiwan-plant-government-report-says.html

(Written by Nuclear Monitor editor Jim Green.) China cancels nuclear fuel center following protests

The Chinese government has abandoned plans for a huge nuclear national law and could not be attacked fuel center in Guangdong province. during wartime.”[5]

766.4331 At a projected cost of “The people’s government of the city The Economist refl ected on the events: US$7.32 billion, the Heshan Nuclear of Heshan has decided to respect the “The government in Beijing would be Power Industry Park was to be public opinion and will not consider happy if anti-nuclear protests were to equipped with facilities for uranium the CNNC Longwan industrial park stay at the level of bickering between conversion and enrichment as well project,” it said. counties or even the occasional out- as manufacturing of fuel pellets, rods burst of nimbyism, as in Jiangmen. and fi nished assemblies. It was to be On July 14, residents gathered again But there is a risk that the success a joint venture between China Natio- outside Jiangmen’s government head- of Jiangmen residents in securing nal Nuclear Corp (CNNC) and China quarters, worried that the project had a change of heart could encourage General Nuclear (CGN). The joint ven- merely been postponed, but the city’s others. ... As well as complicating ture partners are now looking again at Communist Party chief emerged to China’s nuclear plans, such protests a range of other siting options.[1,2] reassure them that it had indeed been would raise fears in Beijing of some- scrapped for good. thing more worrying: an anti-nuclear Land clearing for the project went movement becoming a cover for smoothly. The government sent noti- Refl ecting on the failed project, some anti-government activity. Taiwan offers ces to residents in four villages to relo- government offi cials blamed old a precedent. In the 1980s opponents cate and they received compensation bureaucratic habits for alienating the of the island’s authoritarian govern- within two to three weeks. Villagers public. One offi cial pointed to the fact ment rallied public support for their were told that the land would be used that offi cials and party committees lac- cause by tapping into public concerns to build an industrial park. But public ked social media accounts that could about nuclear power. The Communist concern began to grow and villagers have been used to get their side of the Party does not want to run that kind of were surprised that the “industrial story across. Offi cials probably feared risk.”[6] park” they had been told about was that the protests could escalate to the going to process radioactive fuel. On scale of those provoked by large che- While anti-nuclear activism has been July 12, more than 1,000 protesters mical-factory projects in recent years. uncommon in China, a nuclear project descended on the offi ces of the Hes- in Guangxi Province was reportedly han city government to oppose the One offi cial said: “The more we halted in February due to public oppo- project. Heshan and Jiangmen offi cials explained, the more people believed sition.[7] hastily called a press conference and we were deceiving them.” For exam- promised to run more TV programs to ple, a Q&A on the local government’s Anti-nuclear activism is stronger in educate the public.[3,4] website responded to a question about nearby Hong Kong, where groups risks in the event that the plant was including Greenpeace and Friends of On July 13, a notice that the project bombed during warfare by stating: the Earth have launched a petition to had been cancelled was posted on “Given that it is a civilian nuclear oppose further expansion of nuclear the Jiangmen government’s website. facility, the plant is protected by inter- capacity in Guangdong.[8]

Nuclear Monitor 766 9 “Chinese civil society is getting Chinese University of Hong Kong. stand their ground, the government will stronger,” said Willy Wo-Lap Lam, “People now realize if their numbers back down.” an adjunct professor of history at the are big enough, if they are united and

References: 1. www.world-nuclear-news.org/ENF_Guangdong_nuclear_fuel_centre_cancelled_1807131.html 2. www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/16/china-nuclear-uranium-idUSL4N0FM1WM20130716 3. http://english.caixin.com/2013-07-31/100563607.html 4. www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1292938/heshan-decision-abandon-uranium-plant-unjustifi ed 5. www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/world/asia/rare-china-protest-against-uranium-plant-draws-hundreds.html?_r=0 6. www.economist.com/news/china/21582016-rare-protest-prompts-government-scrap-plans-build-uranium-processing-plant 7. http://english.caixin.com/2013-07-31/100563607.html 8. http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/69260 9. www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-14/china-protest-forcing-nuclear-retreat-shows-people-power.html

(Written by Nuclear Monitor editor Jim Green.)

Nuclear News

Successful blockade at nuclear weapon base Buchel On August 11 a group from IKV Pax Mayor Kazumi Matsui said. He pres- on.The obstruction tactics against the Christi joined the blockade of the Ger- sed his country to strengthen ties with anti-nuclear movement that were seen man military base Büchel that hosts the governments pursuing nuclear in the past could occur again.” US nuclear weapons. Every gate was weapons abolition. Matsui spoke to http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_ blocked by non-violent activists from all a crowd of about 50,000 near the news/social_affairs/AJ201308100017 over the world. Every gate supported location of the 1945 blast, which killed the ‘Rhythm Beats Bombs’ message around 140,000 people. Japanese Peace Boat. with musical performances. Krista www.nti.rsvp1.com/gsn/article/hiroshi- The Japanese Peace Boat is travelling van Velzen, nuclear disarmament mas-mayor-lashes-japan-india-atom- around the world with a global call for campaigner at IKV Pax Christi, said: ic-courtship nuclear weapons abolition through ‘We join this 24 hour long blockade to its 6th Global Voyage for a Nuclear- show solidarity with the German peace Tokyo exhibition shows harassment Free World. Eight Hibakusha (atomic movement. Just as in the Netherlands, against anti-nuclear movement bomb survivors) from Hiroshima and Germany hosts 20 American B61 Anti-nuclear activists held an exhibition Nagasaki, accompanied by a Youth nuclear weapons at the air base. Alt- in Tokyo on August 10−11 to highlight Special Communicator for a Nuclear- hough the German government said the harassment and threats they Free World, are giving testimonies in they wanted to send them back, there faced during a period long before the more than a dozen ports on their way are still at Büchel, this is the reason Fukushima nuclear disaster. Letters to arrive back in Japan in October. why it is necessary to protest. and postcards sent to the activists The Peace Boat will be in Mexico on www.nonukes.nl/en/news/suc- in the 1990s and early 2000s were September 21 for the International Day cesful-blockade-at-nuclear-weap- displayed. One postcard simply says, of Peace (Mexico will host the next on-base-buchel “You are a tick.” Some envelopes humanitarian conference on nuclear contained hair, cigarette butts and weapons in February 2014). Updates Hiroshima’s Mayor lashes Japan- dead cockroaches. Other letters were are posted at www.breakingthenucle- India atomic courtship fi lled with obscenities. In 1995, fi ve archain.org and www.peaceboat.org The mayor of Hiroshima, speaking on organisations and 66 individuals asked the 68th anniversary of the nuclear the Human Rights Protection Com- World Conference against Atomic attack on his city, said Japan is wrong mittee of the Japan Federation of Bar and Hydrogen Bombs to be entertaining prospects of atomic Associations to take measures against The 2013 World Conference against trade with nuclear-armed India. Tokyo the harassment. By that time, 4,000 Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs ended and New Delhi agreed in May to pur- of the letters and postcards had been successfully on August 9 in Nagasaki sue arrangements for peaceful nuclear confi rmed around the country. Lawyer with the participation of about 7,000 trade. “Even if the nuclear power Yuichi Kaido, one of the organisers people including 89 overseas repre- agreement the Japanese government of the exhibition, said: “The battle sentatives from 20 countries. Con- is negotiating with India promotes between those supporting the restart ference organisers have historically their economic relationship, it is likely of idled nuclear reactors and those shied away from debates over nuclear to hinder nuclear weapons abolition,” against it will be heating up from now power but that has changed since the

10 Nuclear Monitor 766 Offshore wind could meet EU electricity needs. 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Decla- nuclear weapons and nuclear power The EU’s total electricity usage could ration of the International Meeting generation, we call for ending all kind be met more than four times over adopted on August 5 in Hiroshima of nuclear damage caused by nuclear by fl oating offshore wind farms in includes the following statement: “The fuel cycles, and oppose reprocessing the deep waters of the North Sea, accident at the Fukushima Daiichi of spent nuclear fuel and accumulation according to a new report from the Nuclear Power Plant is still in the midst of plutonium, as well as military use European Wind Energy Association. of the crisis. Bringing the situation of nuclear energy. United in one wish The report claims that if the right poli- under control, decommissioning of all for ‘no more nuclear victims,’ we will cies are put into place now to spur the nuclear reactors and a fundamental develop our campaign together with development and implementation of shift to renewable energy resources the movement to break free of nuclear next-generation fl oating turbines, total are keenly called for. Having noted power.” www.antiatom.org EU offshore wind capacity could reach the dangerous relations between 150 gigawatts by the year 2030. www.ewea.org/report/deep-water

WISE / NIRS Nuclear Monitor The World Information Service on Energy (WISE) was founded in 1978 and is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS) was set up in the same year and is based in Washington D.C., US.

WISE and NIRS joined forces in the year 2000, creating a worldwide network of information and resource centers for citizens and environmental organizations concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, proliferation, uranium, and sustainable energy issues.

The WISE / NIRS Nuclear Monitor publishes information in English 20 times a year. The magazine can be obtained both on paper and as an email (pdf format) version. Old issues are (after 2 months) available through the WISE homepage: www.wiseinternational.org

Subscriptions: US and Canada based readers should contact NIRS for details on how to receive the Nuclear Monitor ([email protected]) Others receive the Nuclear Monitor through WISE.

NGO’s/individuals Institutions/Industry 20 Issues for the paper version 100 Euro 350 Euro 20 Issues for the email version 50 euro 200 Euro

Contact the editor via [email protected] Contact WISE via WISE International, Po Box 59636, 1040 LC Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Web: www.wiseinternational.org / Email: [email protected] / Phone: +31 20 6126368 /

Nuclear Monitor 766 11 12 Nuclear Monitor 766