IAEA/General Conference: Side Events

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000452 SIPDIS STATE FOR T, IO/T, ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA NRC FOR OIP - DOANE DOE FOR S-1, NA-20-D'AGASTINO NA-243-GOOREVICH,OEHLBERT NA-241 O'CONNOR; NA-21- CUMMINS NE- MCGINNIS, PERKO, CLAPPER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY SUBJECT: IAEA/General Conference: Side Events ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: During the 2009 IAEA General Conference several side events were scheduled by the Technical Cooperation (TC) and Nuclear Applications (NA) departments and the Office of Nuclear Security (ONS). Msnoffs attended four events of interest to the USG: 1) the unveiling of a new Technical Cooperation (TC) project to implement Results Based Management (RBM),2) the TC Division's Europe Regional Meeting, 3) the Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) annual briefing, and 4) a Member State briefing on the Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB). Additionally, the 2009 Scientific Forum took place focusing on energy demands and issued a report with recommendations for international organizations to consider. Like other Member States, the USG had two displays from DOE and NNSA and the U.S. supported NGO WINS also had a booth. U.S. delegation members also conducted bilateral meetings on the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). TC DDG Cetto invited Member States to a briefing on the implementation of RMB in the TC Division. Cetto expects Member States to whole-heartedly endorse the implementation of an RBM model for project management at the November TACC and BOG. Another TC side event, hosted by the Director of the European Division, Peter Salema, focused on updating the Europe regional TC strategy and project implementation. DDG Werner Burkart spoke at the PACT briefing highlighting the need for more fundraising by PACT to meet rising numbers of cancer patients in developing countries resulting increasing need for cancer control assistance. IAEA representatives also briefed the Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB),which monitors illicit trade, possession or movement of nuclear and radioactive materials within and across international borders. The goal of the ITDB is to identify trends, threats, and vulnerabilities of material security and detection capabilities by providing such information to participating States and appropriate international organizations, while also encouraging States to improve the monitoring and reporting of such incidents. END SUMMARY. -------------- RESULTS BASED MANAGEMENT -------------- ¶2. (U) Responding to repeated calls by Member States for more transparency and better management of TC projects, DDG Cetto has secured the services of a Canadian expert team to implement results based management (RBM) in the division. To introduce Member States to RBM modeling, Member States were invited to a briefing hosed by DDG Cetto at which she reaffirmed the intent that Technical Cooperation with the Member States increasingly promote tangible socio-economic impact by contributing in a cost effective manner to the achievement of the major sustainable development priorities of each country. ¶3. (U) RBM, simply put, is a strategic management approach. TC plans to use this approach with both donor and recipient Member States to plan, cost, implement, monitor and measure technical cooperation and the changes brought about by each project, rather than just monitor the inputs provided or activities conducted. Using RBM, the TC Department seeks to ensure that its funding, supply and technical assistance contribute to a logical chain of results that increase in complexity and ambition as a recipient Member State gains more and more nuclear technology know-how. RBM depends on critical assumptions about the project environment and risk assessments, clearly defined accountabilities and indicators for results, and performance monitoring and reporting. If successful, this approach will shift managerial and administrative emphasis from a process-focused approach to one based on performance and results (outcomes),something Member States have repeatedly called for. At the close of the briefing, a number of Member States advised the TC Division to release a full-scope project document on the RBM implementation plan and possibly add it to the November TACC as an agenda item for discussion. -------------- TC Europe Regional Meeting -------------- ¶4. (U) The U.S. attended the Europe Regional TC meeting as an observer. The meeting, hosted by Director of the European Division, Manase Peter Salema, focused on finalizing the European regional strategy and technical cooperation program (TCP). The objectives of the European TCP is to identify and implement in a comprehensive and balanced manner nuclear technologies for addressing national and regional needs and to promote their sustainable use; to promote regional networks for exchange of nuclear technologies and information; to promote high levels of safety, security and non-proliferation; and to create awareness on the benefits of nuclear technologies and obtain funding for the program. European Member States pledged to finalize their inputs by mid-October. -------------- PACT -------------- ¶4. (U) DDG for Nuclear Sciences and Applications Werner Burkart and PACT Director Massoud Samiei hosted the annual GC PACT briefing to focus delegates from capitals on objectives achieved and goals for the medium term. Noting the continued rise in cancer patient numbers in developing countries and consequent increasing need for cancer control assistance, Samiei encouraged Member States to make contributions (either in-kind or monetary) to PACT. Both Burkart and Samiei spoke very highly of new partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO),which will provide a comprehensive cancer therapy plan to states which includes the niche services the IAEA can provide. Representatives from Nigeria, Vietnam, and Mongolia spoke at the event and encouraged more national participation in PACT/WHO programs. -------------- Illicit Trafficking Database -------------- ¶5. (U) On the margins of the General Conference, IAEA representatives briefed the Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB),which monitors illicit trade, possession or movement of nuclear and radioactive materials within and across international borders. The ITDB was established in 1995 as a means of collecting, maintaining and analyzing credible information through official channels and to facilitate the exchange of authoritative information between Member States. In addition to receiving data through official channels, the ITDB collects open source information on incidents of unauthorized acquisition, possession, use, or sale of such materials. Open source information not obtained via official channels from a Member State is always verified by the country where the incident occurred to ensure the accuracy of the information. The goal of the ITDB is to identify trends, threats, and vulnerabilities of material security and detection capabilities by providing such information to participating States and appropriate international organizations, while also encouraging States to improve the monitoring and reporting of such incidents. Dissemination of information collected and analyzed is restricted and for official use only. The ITDB strictly adheres to certain guidelines on protecting any "confidential" information that is provided by Member States. From 1993-2008, the ITDB reported 1562 confirmed incidents of unauthorized activities. ITDB analysts note that while there has been a marked reduction of incidents in recent years largely due to improved national and international efforts to address nuclear security, the problem of securing and recovering nuclear and radiological materials continues to persist." --- CSC --- ¶6. (U) On the margins of the GC, U.S. delegation experts on nuclear liability took the opportunity to advocate the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) with other delegations. In some cases, delegations provided an update of their progress on CSC ratification. For others, the discussions were clarifications of aspects of the CSC. U.S. del members met with four members of the so-called coastal states, Member States that have voiced concerns about transport of nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel through their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. Surprisingly, all seemed unaware of the provision in the CSC that would allow the judicial proceedings related to nuclear damage suffered in their EEZ waters to be heard in their respective domestic courts. This was a provision which had been specifically added to the CSC for the benefit of the coastal states. The Department will follow up on emphasis of this aspect for those states. ¶7. (U) Of note were comments from: - CANADA: Before Parliament can take up the CSC, it must revise its domestic law on civil liability and compensation in the case of a nuclear accident. A bill doing this has reached the second reading (of three required) in Parliament. The same thing occurred with a similar bill last year and the process had to start anew with Parliamentary elections in 2008. There is concern that the same thing may occur before the bill is passed. The Canadians tell us that they must finish that bill before they can take up the CSC. -UKRAINE: Last year, the Ukrainian delegation opined that the political situation would make it virtually impossible to take of the CSC in the Rada. Now, due to the economic slowdown, the situation is even worse, with the estimate that it would take one to two years before the GOU could even consider taking up the question of ratification of the CSC. -NORWAY: The Norwegians expressed interest in the CSC, especially the provisions concerning the EEZ. The fact was noted that Norway had had input into this aspect of the CSC and it was included to address the concerns of Norway and other coastal states. Further communication will be made regarding the CSC with the MFA and the Radiation Protection Authority. -IRELAND: The Irish delegation was more skeptical of the benefit of membership in the CSC, especially regarding the amount of funds that would be available to recompense victims of a nuclear accident. They felt that 600 million Special Drawing Rights (about 900 million USD) was too little potential compensation. They already had been skeptical of the amount, but cited the recent dioxin scare in Ireland that caused a large amount of pork products to be destroyed. The losses due to this dioxin scare totaled up to 600 million Euros. With that in mind, the Irish have concluded that if a relatively limited dioxin incident can cause a 600 Euro loss, then a nuclear accident would be far more expensive. Notwithstanding their concerns, the Irish agreed to continue to discuss the Convention. The point was made to them that under the CSC, they would be in a position to at least be able to get a certain amount, and if an incident occurred in Irish EEZ waters, the court hearings would be in Ireland. -NEW ZEALAND: The head of the New Zealand delegation, Joan Mosely, was the most positive of the coastal-state delegates regarding the CSC. While New Zealand has been antagonistic toward nuclear power and concerned about transport of nuclear fuel and spent fuel (transported from Japan to Europe, and passing near New Zealand EEZ waters),she noted the improvements the shipping states have made. She also positively noted the EEZ provisions that would put the judicial hearings regarding a nuclear accident in New Zealand EEZ waters in its own courts. -PERU: The DCM of the Peruvian mission, Miluska Caceres, discussed the CSC and promised to forward the information and provide a Peruvian Government point of contact. The EEZ provisions were of particular interest as Peru depends heavily on fishing in its EEZ. -AUSTRALIA: Australia's stated position for ratification of the CSC is to wait until it has entered into force, and a substantial number of countries have ratified it. This would make the amount potentially available in the supplementary amount worthwhile for Australia to forgo some rights of its citizens in order to enter the Convention. -THAILAND: Thailand is serious about embarking on a civil nuclear power program and Sirichai Keinmeesuke, Secretary-General of the Office of Atoms for Peace, expressed interest in the CSC. -JAPAN: The Japanese were requested for a meeting on the CSC, mainly to get an update on the relevant ministries' review of the CSC. The Japanese demurred on a meeting, and indicated that the CSC would be discussed at the October talks with the U.S. on IAEA strategy. -------------- Scientific Forum -------------- ¶8. (U) The 2009 Scientific Forum held on the margins of the General Conference focused on the lack of access to modern energy services in many parts of the world and debated whether this is the missing Millennium Development Goal. Sessions looked at energy demand and supply and the energy options - renewable sources, fossil and nuclear. The link between food security and energy supply and the weaknesses in existing energy aid mechanisms was also discussed. The Scientific Forum Chair concluded there was a general consensus that crafting robust national energy strategies is a prerequisite for reducing energy poverty and charting sustainable energy development. The planning tools and capacity building provided by IAEA are an important contribution towards this objective but much more is needed. According to the Chair, there is indeed a need for an International Energy Organization, covering all energy types that would address development-energy challenges by searching for technology solutions, elaborating policy frameworks and monitoring implementation. An important task would be fostering relevant international treaties that bring together resource rich and resource poor, developing and developed countries. -------------- USG Exhibits -------------- ¶9. (U) Throughout the General Conference, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) sponsored educational exhibits in the Rotunda Building. On Monday, September 14, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu visited DOE's two booths promoting the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative and the Office of Nuclear Energy, and gave a press conference following his plenary speech. Both exhibits highlighted the United States' commitment to the peaceful and safeguarded use of nuclear energy, while also recognizing the important roles of the IAEA and its member states. WINS also participated in the exhibition and used this opportunity to promote membership to its organization and to share its mission of providing an international forum for nuclear security. DAVIES