[cdn-nucl-l] US Warns Myanmar On Nuclear Reactor Aspirations

["Adam McLean" <adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>]

Posted on the Asia Pacific Space Centre SpaceDaily on January 22, 2002
and at:
http://www.spacer.com/news/nuclear-civil-02b.html
Does anyone know if Myanmar made any effort to compare the
price/capabilities of the Russian reactor to other research reactors out
there (eg. a Maple?)?

Adam

-------------

US Warns Myanmar On Nuclear Reactor Aspirations

shake and bake with a Russian reactor - selling now at cut prices 
Yangon (AFP) Jan 22, 2002

The United States warned Myanmar on Tuesday that it must honor its
obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, after Yangon signalled
that it intended to build a nuclear reactor with Russian help.

The military-ruled state, often a target of US ire for suppressing a
democracy movement and its much-criticised human rights record, said
earlier Monday that it wanted to erect a nuclear research reactor.

"We expect the government of Burma to live up to its obligations and to
not pursue production of weapons grade fissile material," said a State
Department official on condition of anonymity using the country's former
name.

The official declined to say if Washington was concerned over Myanmar's
capacity to maintain a safe, secure nuclear site, or whether US
officials would address the project in discussions with Russia.

Washington's response to the Myanmar nuclear plan was a marked contrast
to its frequently unflattering appraisal of the country's human rights
record and political situation.

Some observers in Southeast Asia have questioned whether the ruling
junta, which already has trouble maintaining its creaking electricity
grid has the expertise and scientific base necessary to safeguarding
nuclear materials.

In a statement issued late Monday, Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister
Khin Maung Win said the junta had informed the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention to construct the reactor which
would be used "for peaceful purposes".

Russia said last February that it planned to enter talks with Myanmar on
building a nuclear reactor in the Southeast Asian country. Media reports
have said hundreds of Myanmar scientists are now in Russia receiving
training.

Khin Maung Win said that under the Non-Proliferation Treaty which
Myanmar signed in 1992, it had the right to pursue "the peaceful use and
application of nuclear technology".

He denied reports that Myanmar has secretly brought two Pakistani
nuclear scientists into the country to help it fulfill its nuclear
ambitions.

Thailand's Bangkok Post has reported that the Vienna-based IAEA was
concerned about the plans to build a reactor in Myanmar and had asked
Moscow to provide details of the negotiations.

During an inspection last year, an IAEA mission found that the country's
safety standards were "well below the minimum the body would regard as
acceptable," it quoted an unnamed official with the agency as saying.

earlier report
Myanmar Confirms Plans To Build Nuclear Research Reactor
 Washington (AFP) Jan 22, 2002
The military regime in Myanmar (Burma) is planning to build a nuclear
research reactor and is in negotiations with Russia over the facility,
Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win has confirmed.

In a statement issued late Monday, Khin Maung Win said the junta had
informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its intention
to construct the reactor which would be used "for peaceful purposes".

"The Myanmar government is striving to acquire modern technology in all
fields, including maritime, aerospace, medical and nuclear," he said in
the statement.

"It is in the light of these considerations that Myanmar made enquiries
for the possibility of setting up a nuclear research reactor. A proposal
has since been received from the Russian Federation."

Russia said last February that it planned to enter talks with Myanmar on
building a nuclear reactor in the Southeast Asian country for scientific
purposes.

Media reports have said that hundreds of Myanmar scientists are
presently in Russia receiving nuclear training.

Khin Maung Win said that under the Non-Proliferation Treaty which
Myanmar signed in 1992, it had the right to pursue "the peaceful use and
application of nuclear technology".

"All our neighbouring countries, with the exception of Laos, are already
reaping the benefits from nuclear research reactors operating in their
countries," he said.

"In this age of globalization it is imperative that developing countries
such as Myanmar actively seek to narrow the development gap so as not to
be marginalized."

However, the development is likely to raise concerns among western
governments who view military-run Myanmar as a pariah regime due to its
poor human rights record and refusal to make democratic reforms.

There will also be questions over whether Myanmar, whose economy has
been brought to its knees by heavy international sanctions, can afford
such a facility.

Khin Maung Win denied media reports that Myanmar has secretly brought
two Pakistani nuclear scientists into the country to help it fulfil its
nuclear ambitions.

"The Myanmar government categorically states once again that no nuclear
scientists from Pakistan have been given sanctuary in Myanmar," he said.

However, he said Myanmar scientists had been trained by the IAEA "in the
application of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes".

Thailand's Bangkok Post has reported that the Vienna-based IAEA was
concerned about the plans to build a reactor in Myanmar and had asked
Moscow to provide details of the negotiations.

It said Myanmar had approached the IAEA in September with its plans to
acquire a reactor, and that two months later a team from the
organisation made an inspection visit.

The team concluded that the country's safety standards were "well below
the minimum the body would regard as acceptable," it quoted an unnamed
IAEA official as saying.

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TERRADAILY

Russian Senate Ratifies Nuclear Cooperation Pact With Iran
 Moscow (AFP) Dec 26, 2001
Russia's upper house of parliament Wednesday unanimously ratified a new
partnership treaty with Iran which includes cooperating in developing
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. "Iran remains a strategic partner
of Russia," said Mikhail Margelov, head of the foreign affairs committee
of the Federation Council, following the vote by 127 senators.