U.S. UAE NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE

UNCLAS STATE 057671 UNVIE FOR IAEA MGOODMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG TRGY AORC KNNP OTRA TC SUBJECT: U.S. UAE NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION AS AN IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT OF THE U.S. UAE MOU ON PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY ¶1. THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. SEE PARA 7-8. UNCLASSIFIED - ENTIRE TEXT. 2.SUMMARY: Consistent with Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),ONE of the ways that the United States supports peaceful nuclear development is through bilateral arrangements with developing nations. The Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) conducts peaceful nuclear engagement with selected nations to improve nuclear infrastructures as those nations move toward civil nuclear energy. To this end, DOE/NNSA would like to support the establishment of an arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy between DOE/NNSA and appropriate UAE authorities. The proposed arrangement would serve as an implementing arrangement pursuant to the 21 April 2009 non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Such an arrangement would provide for cooperation between DOE/NNSA and UAEs Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR),as well as the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). DOE/NNSA believes this cooperation would promote broad-based dialogue that would contribute to U.S. nonproliferation objectives. This message contains further information on DOE/NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program, requests that Embassy convey this proposal formally to appropriate officials at at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),FANR, and ENEC, and proposes a U.S. delegation visit to UAE in the late July or early August timeframe to discuss this initiative with appropriate officials. END SUMMARY ¶3. BACKGROUND: The United States regards civil nuclear energy as an important current and future source of energy for both developed and developing nations. Consistent with Article IV of the NPT, ONE of the ways that the United States supports peaceful nuclear applications is through bilateral cooperation with developing states. This cooperation, complementary to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme, has enabled many developing countries greater utilization of peaceful nuclear techniques in a wide range of disciplines, such as nuclear safety, nuclear medicine, agriculture, and water resources. 4.As a component of U.S. bilateral cooperation, the DOE/NNSA International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) contributes to strengthening the international nuclear safeguards regime through cooperative safeguards and related infrastructure programs and supports the safe, secure, and peaceful implementation of nuclear technologies. Since 1982, DOE/NNSA has implemented non-legally-binding bilateral cooperation arrangements with Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Thailand, and Vietnam. A new arrangement is being negotiated with Malaysia. An arrangement for cooperation between DOE/NNSA and the UAE would provide for cooperation between DOE/NNSA and UAEs Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR),as well as the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). ¶5. Under these arrangements, INSEP's nuclear infrastructure engagement supports the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in select countries, and addresses numerous nuclear infrastructure topics including: radiation protection; nuclear regulation; energy planning; international safeguards; emergency planning and response; radioactive waste management; environment, safety and health; quality assurance; international laboratory certification; and nuclear human resource development. The areas for collaboration are developed jointly between the technical organizations in both countries, with the overall approval by DOE/NNSA and Department of State. Mechanisms for collaboration include: on-site joint evaluations; technical trainings and workshops; expert visits and consultations; exchange of samples, computer codes, and standards; and use of non- classified facilities. Through these collaborative activities, INSEP supports effective civil nuclear stewardship and helps developing countries meet future nuclear energy needs in ways that are safe, secure, and consistent with the highest standards of nuclear nonproliferation. ¶6. DOE/NNSA would like to explore the possibility of collaboration with appropriate authoriites of the UAE in peaceful nuclear infrastructure through DOE/NNSAs International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program. If conditions are favorable DOE/NNSA would be prepared to consider bilateral cooperative activities, as an implementing activityunder the April 2008 US-UAE MOU on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. END BACKGROUND 7.ACTION REQUEST: Drawing from the background and the talking points contained in para 8 below, Embassy is requested to approach appropriate UAE Government officials to offer a visit by DOS and DOE/NNSA in July to explain INSEP's nuclear infrastructure development program in greater detail and to discuss the possibility of establishing a technical cooperation arrangement with appropriate authorities of UAE. Embassy is also requested to provide relevant points of contact at the Embassy and at UAEs MFA, FANR, ENEC, and other relevant agencies for coordination and planning purposes. END ACTION REQUEST ¶8. BEGIN TALKING POINTS: -- The UAE has demonstrated its leadership in the Middle East by committing to develop civil nuclear power in accordance with the highest standards of nuclear non-proliferation, safety, and security. UAEs planning for civilian nuclear power serves as a model for the region. -- We would like to thank UAE for its recent participation in the Middle East Infrastructure Preparedness Workshop that took place in Amman, Jordan in March 2009. -- The United States Government views commercial nuclear energy as an important, environmentally clean source of energy for both developed and developing countries. -- As UAE prepares to establish a civil nuclear energy program, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) would like to establish a technical relationship with appropriate UAE authorities , as an implementing activity under the April 2009 US-UAE Memorandum of Understanding on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Such an arrangement would provide for cooperation between DOE/NNSA and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, as well as the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. -- Nuclear infrastructure cooperation between DOE/NNSA and the UAE would benefit both countries through exchange of experience and best practices, and would demonstrate commitment by both countries to the safe, secure, and peaceful development of nuclear energy. -- Nuclear infrastructure cooperation would provide a mechanism for U.S. technical experts from DOE National Laboratories to partner with UAE counterparts on nuclear infrastructure topics, including: radiation protection; nuclear regulation; energy planning; international safeguards; emergency planning and response; radioactive waste management; environment, safety and health; quality assurance; international laboratory certification; and nuclear human resource development. --Such an arrangement would also serves to advance the objectives of Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which calls for Parties to facilitate the fullest possible exchangeof scientific and technological information for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. -- Representatives from the Department of State and DOE/NNSA propose to visit UAE in July to explain the nuclear infrastructure development program in greater detail, to discuss the possibility of establishing technical cooperation, and to learn more about UAEs development of an appropriate nuclear energy infrastructure. -- John McClelland-Kerr, the Director of the International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program, is available to discuss the nuclear infrastructure development program with you. He can be reached at 202-586-5353 or at John.McClelland- Kerr@nnsa.doe.gov. END TALKING POINTS ¶9. Embassy is requested to provide GOT feedback to John McClelland-Kerr, DOE/NNSA/NA-242, Deborah Rudolph DOS/ISN/MNSA, and Marc Humphrey DOS/ISN/NESS by June 12. Post's assistance in introducing the nuclear infrastructure program and in requesting points of contact for technical engagement is greatly appreciated. END TEXT. CLINTON