REQUEST FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CANADIAN

UNCLAS STATE 069767 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC ASEC KCRM PARM PINR PREL CA XS SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE POTENTIAL EXTRACTION OF HELIUM-3 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Ottawa. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: Since September 11, 2001, United States Government commercial use of helium-3 has grown faster than available supply. As a result, the United States faces a shortage of helium-3 (He-3). He-3 is a primary material requirement for radiation detection equipment. An interagency group has been formed to assess the immediate, mid-term, and long-term implications of this shortage. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Second Line of Defense Program only has a sufficient supply for about 20% of the radiation detection equipment that is responsible for the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture. Additional DOE programs, as well as programs at the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and other agencies are also impacted by this current, and projected to be long-term shortage. Canada has a supply of He-3, which is produced during the decay of tritium. A potentially significant capital investment would be required to convert it from its current storage medium. United States' manufacturers, technical experts from the DOE Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL),and a Department of Energy Office of Isotope Sales manager have had informal discussions with Canadian counter-parts. Canada has not been particularly interested in pursuing the interests of the commercial firms, but did indicate a willingness to consider responding to an expression of Government interest, especially if the extracted He-3 would be used to protect their Nation's and international interests. DOE would like to bring a team to meet with their Canadian counterparts and appropriate host Government officials to determine whether a reliable supply of He-3 can be provided and, on behalf of the interagency group, to generally describe the shortage, the benefits from accessing the Canadian supply, and to provide information relative to the appropriate national security uses of the extracted He-3. The association of He-3 with Tritium may raise concerns regarding the host nation's nonproliferation policy and also the applicability of any export control policy concerns that may be brought up. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to arrange a meeting with the appropriate GOC officials to discuss the items in paragraph 4 with senior USG officials, preferably between August 1-11 or 24-31, 2009. Additionally, Washington would appreciate an opportunity to have a pre-meeting with the appropriate Embassy staff, should that be desired, and is assuming that one or more of the Embassy staff would participate in the proposed meeting with GOC officials in August. ¶4. (SBU) PROPOSED AGENDA: -- Introduction & Purpose of the visit -- He-3 Background -- Predicted He-3 demand and supply -- Impact on Radiation Detection -- Investigate vehicles that would allow for the harvesting of Ontario Power's He-3 -- Open Discussion ¶5. (SBU) REPORTING DEADLINE: Washington requests that Post respond via front-channel cable no later than July 13, 2009. ¶6. (SBU) Washington appreciates Post's assistance. Contact Michael Curry (currymr@state.gov),202-736-7692 in ISN/WMDT for additional information. CLINTON