BIGOT IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF FRENCH ATOMIC ENERGY

UNCLAS PARIS 000035 SENSITIVE NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION SIPDIS PASS US NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR CHAIRMAN KLEIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TRGY ENRG SENV FR SUBJECT: BIGOT IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF FRENCH ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 7, 2009, Bernard Bigot was appointed Chairman of the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA),succeeding Alain Bugat. Since 2003 Bigot has been the High Commissioner for Atomic Energy at the CEA, where he was responsible for the quality of scientific research. As chairman, he will manage the CEA fourth generation reactor development program and represent France on the ITER international thermonuclear fusion reactor project. Under Bigot, relations between the CEA and the USG will remain strong. Bigot's strong scientific background will help manage CEA's broad research and development activities, its 15,000 employees and its Euros 3.4 billion budget. End of summary. Goodbye Bugat, Hello Bigot -------------- ¶2. (U) On January 7, 2009, the Government of France appointed Bernard Bigot, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (administrateur general de Commissariat a l'energie atomique) succeeding Alain Bugat. In his new role, Bigot will provide overall direction of the CEA, within broad guidelines set by the government. Likely Changes Ahead -------------- ¶3. (U) While Bigot has yet to discuss publicly his priorities, he will likely reorganize CEA's life science sector. One proposal is to transfer the CEA Life Science Department's nuclear medicine section to the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM),currently headed by Andre Syrota, a former CEA Life Science Department Director. Other CEA key issues included the international development of fourth generation reactors (the EPR successor),the ITER thermonuclear fusion project in Cadarache, and the handling of long-lived radioactive waste. Good contact of U.S. -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Bernard Bigot is an excellent contact of the U.S. Embassy and is very approachable. At a reception in early January, he described himself as a collegial friend of the newly-nominated Secretary of Energy, Stephen Chu. Additionally, he recently attended an Embassy reception in honor of current DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman. Relations between the CEA and USG have been excellent under his predecessor, and will continue strong under Bigot. Background of Bernard Bigot -------------- ¶5. (U) Bigot, 58, was born in January 1950 and is a graduate of the "Ecole Normale Suprieure de Saint-Cloud" (ENS, an elite French school) in 1973. He received a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Paris XI, and a PhD in Physical Sciences from Pierre and Marie Curie University. Bigot was an associate professor in Physical Sciences and a former auditor at The Institute of High Studies in National Defense (Institute des Hautes Etudes de la Dfense Nationale). For four years, he was director of the Catalyst Research Institute (Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse) at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). He has written over 70 scientific journals on quantum physical chemistry applied to photochemistry, heterogeneous catalytic reactions, and nuclear energy. From 1993 to 2003 Bigot worked at the Ministry of Research where he was successively Head of the Scientific and Technical Mission, Deputy Director of Research, and Chief of Staff. Bigot is an officer of the French Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit. CEA: A Technology Driver -------------- ¶6. (U) CEA is a major player in research, development and innovation and is involved in the fields of energy, information technology, health, defense and security. With over 15,000 researchers and collaborators, and nine established research centers in France, CEA provides technical expertise to the GOF. Additionally, CEA participates fully in European and international research activities. CEA in 2007: --15,612 Employees -- 3.4 billion Euros Budget -- 9 research centers and 54 joint research units -- 447 patent applications -- 1608 patents -- CEA owns 79 percent of the capital of AREVA. PEKALA