GDRC INVITES DOS/DOE TEAM TO NEGOTIATE DEFUELING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000146 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2018 TAGS: ENRG EMIN IAEA PGOV CG SUBJECT: GDRC INVITES DOS/DOE TEAM TO NEGOTIATE DEFUELING OF RESEARCH REACTOR REF: A. 07 SECSTATE 111867 ¶B. SECSTATE 3687 Classified By: CCORKEY for Reasons 1.4 b/d/e. ¶1. (C) Summary. The GDRC sent a letter of invitation on January 30 to restart negotiations with the US Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) delegation. The GTRI team members from the Departments of State and Energy are invited to restart negotiations for the transfer of nuclear fuel from the research reactors at the Kinshasa Nuclear Research Center (CREN-K) to the U.S. The U.S. Mission in Vienna began talks with IAEA member states to find alternative solutions after the USG waited almost six months for the invitation below. Theft and accidents remain a threat, and the international community must find a way to remove or secure the nuclear fuel elements. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Raymond Tshibanda, President Kabila's Chief of Staff, sent a letter on January 30 to invite the Department of Energy's GTRI delegation to Kinshasa. The GTRI team requested meetings in August 2007 to further discuss the offer to remove nuclear elements from the TRIGA I and II reactors at CREN-K (REF A),but DOE and Embassy Kinshasa have had difficulty procuring the invitation until now. Negotiations stalled most recently following UK-based Brinkley Mining's offer in July 2007 to fund the restarting of the TRIGA II reactor, a deal which failed but may well continue to influence the GDRC's perception of what is possible. The nuclear research reactors are a source of Congolese national pride, and the tone of the invitation implies continued GDRC expectations of restarting a reactor or a new accelerator in exchange for the removal of fuel elements. ¶3. (C) Due to the delays in bilateral discussions during the last six months, the U.S. Mission in Vienna moved forward with talks with the IAEA and its member states to discuss alternative courses of action (REF B). The member states concerned with the DRC's nuclear facilities will soon discuss an alternative track of incentives for defueling CREN-K's reactors. ¶4. (C) Comment. The GDRC is likely to ask for help to continue nuclear research activities that will be counterproductive to the GTRI efforts. In its current state, the security around the two research reactors remains dismal and nearby ground shows continuing signs of erosion. If neither the bilateral USG/DRC discussions nor the IAEA members can find common ground with the GDRC, it will be important to at least help better secure CREN-K's facilities. End Comment. ¶5. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER. CC: President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Prime Minister and Head of State Minister of State at the Presidency Minister of State to the Prime Minister Minister of Energy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Chiefs of Cabinet of the Head of State US Embassy Kinshasa Head of CRENK TO: Andrew Bieniawski Subject: Program for the repatriation of spent fuels from TRICO I and II reactors of the Centre Regional de l'Energie Nucleaire de Kinshasa (CRENK) Sir, In accordance with the meeting of June 16, 2007 between the President's Chief Advisor to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works and Mr. Jack Edlow, and with your letter of August 23, 2007 regarding the transfer to the United States of spent fuels from the TRICO I and II reactors of the Regional Center of Nuclear Energy of Kinshasa (CRENK),I would like to point out that the Democratic Republic of the Congo agreed to participate with the DOE in the program for the return of TRICO nuclear material from the research reactors located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. KINSHASA 00000146 002 OF 002 However, a close look at the documents in my file shows, through the protocol agreement signed January 11, 2001, that Contract number DE-SC07-021D14097, detailing methods and conditions for the acceptance of spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors, has yet to be signed by both parties. Also, according to the wish you expressed in the aforementioned letter, I invite you to send a delegation of a team of Experts to Kinshasa to restart the negotiations that were interrupted in 2001, preceding the eventual signing of the contract before starting the program, the goal herein. The Presidency of the Republic will ensure the delegation has meetings with Congolese Experts of the Ministries that are copied above and who are interested in this matter. Sincerely, Raymond TSHIBANDA N'TUNGAMULONGO END TEXT OF LETTER. GARVELINK