HFR Petten: Results Of Survey On Preparedness

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001728

SIPDIS

USEU BRUSSELS PLEASE PASS EST: S.HARDESTY

FOR NP/NE FOR P COMELLA AND DOE/NNSA FOR R.HIBBS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP ENRG TRGY NL
SUBJECT: HFR Petten: Results Of Survey On Preparedness

REF. A) State 170856, B) The Hague 01611, C) Van

Duijn/Hibbs email 6/23


1. Local media recently reported the outcome of a
survey on preparedness of the Petten HFR in dealing
with calamities. Since the issue is related to the
physical protection discussions with the Dutch planned
for July 10-July 11, we bring the news item to the
attention of the Russell Hibbs team. An unofficial
translation of a newspaper article that appeared in the
local daily newspaper Volkskrant of June 24 follows.


2. Quote: A recent survey by the Institute for Safety
and Crisis Management (COT) reveals uncertainty about
the lines of responsibility in dealing with a calamity
at the high flux reactor (HFR) at Petten. The COT
survey, commissioned by the local municipality of
Zijpen and the province of Noord-Holland, also shows
that Zijpen authorities lack the capacity to deal with
a crisis. The HFR at Petten is owned by the EU's
Common Research Center (GCO). This means that Zijpe
authorities are fully dependent on cooperation by the
GCO in case of a calamity without the power to enforce
that cooperation. According to the COT survey, there
is little communication between Zijpe authorities and
the GCO. The COT concludes that it is the Ministry of
Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment (VROM) that
should take the lead in solving this problem. A VROM
reaction will follow in the week of June 30, after
publication of a technical safety report. Unquote.


3. At the time of drafting this cable, post has not
seen a VROM reaction to the COT report.


4. Please note that in the absence of Todd Kushner, the
embassy's control officer for the visit of the Nuclear
Physical Protection Team to the HFR in Petten will be
Jan Razoux Schultz of the Economic Section (office
phone # 31 70 310 92 76, fax # 31 70 310 93 48, home
phone 31 71 589 83 05, e-mail:
razouxje(atsign)state.gov. Drafted:Econ/RazouxSchultz

Baily