The Plan for IAEA Safeguards
IN THIS ISSUE: IAEA safeguards, Iran delays planned start-up of Arak, US and Taiwan 'discussing assurances' on sensitive nuclear activities, Myanmar to sign new nuclear safeguards, no signing of SE Asia nuke-free zone protocol at ASEAN summit, S. Koreans to ponder where to store nuclear waste.
Mark Hibbs | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for half a century has been applying safeguards to ensure that nuclear materials are dedicated to peaceful use. During the last two decades, how the IAEA performs that mission has been evolving in response to two challenges: a track record of clandestine nuclear activities in some states and the need to optimize limited resources to account for a growing volume of nuclear material. Full Article
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Reuters
Iran has postponed until 2014 the planned start-up of a research reactor which Western experts say could potentially offer the Islamic Republic a second route to produce material for a nuclear bomb, a UN report showed. Tehran has continued to install cooling and moderator circuit piping in the heavy water plant near the town of Arak. Nuclear analysts say this type of reactor could yield plutonium for nuclear arms if the spent fuel is reprocessed. Full Article
Elaine M. Grossman | National Journal
The United States and Taiwan have begun “discussing assurances” that could result in the East Asian nation’s pledge to avoid sensitive nuclear activities as part of a bilateral atomic trade pact renewal, Taiwan government officials said. A voluntary ban on sensitive nuclear activities could also represent a significant model for future nuclear accords, nonproliferation advocates say. Full Article
AFP
Myanmar said on Sunday it would agree to new atomic safeguards that allow inspections of suspected clandestine nuclear sites, ahead of a milestone visit by US President Barack Obama. The news comes hours after the White House said Myanmar has taken "positive steps" to reduce its military relationship with North Korea. Myanmar, also known as Burma, was suspected of pursuing military and nuclear cooperation with Pyongyang during long years of junta rule which ended last year. Full Article
Xinhua
There will be no signing on the protocol to the treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the five recognized nuclear-weapon states (P5) during the 21st ASEAN Summit later this week because three out of the P5 are not ready to do that, said a Cambodian senior official on Thursday. The P5 are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. Full Article
Straits Times
South Korea is to hold public consultations on where to store waste nuclear fuel as storage capacity at its reactors is reaching full capacity, the government said on Tuesday. The plan to set up an independent consultative body comes as South Korea grapples with its worst nuclear crisis ever after forged certificates were used by parts suppliers to the nuclear industry, causing stoppages at two reactors. Full Article
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