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