Nuclear News: Laser Uranium Enrichment Undermines US Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts
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Today's big stories from the nuclear industry:
Laser Uranium Enrichment Undermines US Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts
’WASHINGTON - October 8 - Experts last week warned that a proposed uranium enrichment nuclear facility in Wilmington, NC would undermine U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and materials in other countries. In a letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the experts noted that the planned Global Laser Enrichment Commercial Facility would complicate diplomatic efforts to discourage the use of this technology in other countries. They explained that, "Should the United States be seen to embrace the use of laser isotope enrichment as a commercially viable technology, there can be little question that other states will be strongly encouraged to follow this lead and develop such technology for their own
use," and that, "Given the great difficulty of detecting laser isotope enrichment facilities, their spread could undermine U.S. nonproliferation efforts and the ability of the International Atomic Energy Agency to confirm the absence of undeclared nuclear activities in nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) non-nuclear-weapon states." The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering a license request by General Electric-Hitachi for its planned Global Laser Enrichment Commercial Facility.’
Struggle looms to build on Iranian nuclear deals
’VIENNA (Reuters) - U.N. inspectors about to descend on a hitherto secret Iranian nuclear site may score a small victory for non-proliferation, but face a long, hard struggle to achieve full transparency in Tehran's atomic ambitions. After a seven-year standoff, Iran agreed at talks with six big powers last week to unveil a nuclear site detected by Western spies and to cut stocks of enriched uranium which are potentially useful for making nuclear weapons. "We hope Iran strikes a new, forthcoming posture. But we're prepared for it not to. Given Iran's years of foot-dragging, obfuscation and just plain deception, it would be naive to expect smooth sailing ahead," said a senior Western diplomat. "This will be a long, hard slog." The first tests will come later this month, when action is due to carry out the two deals struck near Geneva. A second round of negotiations will also be held when Iran will be pressed for a nuclear freeze and unfettered inspections -- non-starters for the ruling hardliners in Tehran.’
North Korea to send nuclear envoy to U.S.: report
’SEOUL (Reuters) - A senior North Korean nuclear envoy plans to visit the United States later this month for a trip that could pave the way for restarting dialogue between the two countries, a South Korean broadcaster said on Friday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il said this week his country was willing to return to stalled six-way nuclear disarmament discussions but wanted to talk to the United States first -- six months after the communist state declared those talks dead. North Korea is planning to send Ri Gun, its number two negotiator for often-stalled six-way nuclear talks, to the United States and is hoping Washington will reciprocate by sending envoys to Pyongyang, broadcaster YTN television quoted a diplomatic source as saying.’
