IAEA: UK RESPONSE TO REQUEST RELATED TO THE

UNCLAS LONDON 001647

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM UK
SUBJECT: IAEA: UK RESPONSE TO REQUEST RELATED TO THE
CONVENTION ON SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE

REF: STATE 54213


1. (U) PolMilOff delivered reftel and on June 13, 2008,
received the response below from the Foreign & Commonwealth
Office's Counter Proliferation Department.


2. (U) Begin Text of HMG Response:

June 13, 2008

(Complimentary opening),

(Regarding) the non-paper on CSC that you provided. Overall
we were pleased with the outcome of the recent G8 Energy
Ministers' discussion on nuclear energy and the declaration:

"We emphasize that the safe and peaceful use of nuclear
energy must be carried out in a manner that ensures nuclear
non-proliferation, safety and security and take note of the
importance of various schemes for nuclear liability, such as
the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear
Damage. We also emphasize the necessity of responsible
policies for decommissioning and fuel and radioactive waste
management."

I think the key points to report back to Washington are:

-- We share your view that international nuclear liability
law is important and that it makes a valuable contribution to
encouraging the use of nuclear power;

-- We therefore agree that we should aim for worldwide
coverage for international nuclear liability law;

-- At present UK energies are focused on implementing the
amendments to the Paris Convention, which we aim to have done
by spring 2009. We will look at the Convention on
Supplementary Compensation thereafter.

Hope that this is helpful.

Nick Low
Nuclear Issues Team Leader
Counter Proliferation Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

End Text.

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