Dounreay
THE UK Atomic Energy Authority has succeeded in keeping private details about enriched uranium and plutonium stockpiles at Dounreay. Disclosing the information could help terrorists gain access to potential bomb-making materials, deputy UK information commissioner Richard Thomas has ruled. In the first case of its kind, Mr Thomas upheld the UKAEA’s refusal to hand over seven files to Edinburgh-based environmental journalist Rob Edwards. Mr Thomas claimed disclosure could have “a far-reaching impact on the national security of the UK”.
John O Groat Journal 25th April 2008 more >>
Recovering the motley collection of radioactive debris and chemical nasties swilling about Dounreay’s notorious underground waste shaft is one of the dirtiest jobs in the £3 billion clean-up of the defunct fast-reactor complex. Fortunately, the site operators are not planning to send anyone down the 65-metre makeshift dump to recover its noxious contents. Instead, trials are under way for a remote-control operation which is to feature a bespoke shredding machine and a team of grab-and-carry robots.
John O Groat Journal 23rd April 2008 more >>
Syria
Syria claims the CIA fabricated pictures allegedly taken inside a secret nuclear reactor. Senior US intelligence officials said on Thursday that the building, in the remote eastern desert of Syria, was a secret nuclear reactor meant to produce plutonium, which can be used to make high-yield nuclear weapons.
ITN 26th April 2008 more >>
The International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday it would investigate US claims that Syria had tried to build a nuclear reactor with North Korean help, but “deplored” the delay in handing over the evidence to its inspectors.
Guardian 26th April 2008 more >>
Independent 26th April 2008 more >>
Thursday’s Central Intelligence Agency presentation to the US Congress – making the case that North Korea supplied Syria with a nuclear reactor able to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons – was also compelling. It would also appear to justify retroactively the Israeli air strike on the site in Syria’s eastern desert last September. But given the US and Israel’s recent record in these matters, it could also be just another dog and pony show.
FT 26th April 2008 more >>
WHAT did Israel bomb in Syria last year? What did the Israelis know, and how did they know it? And why did American administration officials present Israel’s intelligence to members of Congress in a closed-door briefing on Thursday April 24th? As many questions swirl around the politics of the moment as around the facts of the Israeli attack.
The Economist 25th April 2008 more >>
A secret nuclear reactor destroyed by Israeli jets was within weeks of being functional, US officials have claimed. The Syrian plant, bombed last September, was built with the help of North Korea, the White House said.
Metro 25th April 2008 more >>
North Korea
The United States and North Korea had “productive” talks in Pyongyang this week about a long-overdue declaration of North Korean nuclear programs, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.
Reuters 25th April 2008 more >>
Turkey
Four Greenpeace members were detained here Friday after they climbed on top of Turkey’s energy ministry HQ to denounce plans to build the country’s first nuclear power station.
Yahoo News 25th April 2008 more >>
Israel
Four years ago Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu was released from jail having served 18 years inside. Yet this month the Israeli government renewed, for the fifth time, an order confining him to Jerusalem, where he is under constant surveillance, banned from talking to foreigners and shunned by Israeli society. He lives with no work, income, home or support. A virtual prisoner.
Greenpeace 25th April 2008 more >>
Finland
Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) has submitted an application to build a nuclear reactor in Olkiluoto, southwestern Finland. It would be the country’s sixth reactor, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy said. The ministry said an environmental impact assessment for the project is underway and is expected to be be finished in mid-June.
AFX 25th April 2008 more >>
