COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR

UNCLAS STATE 015561 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KNNP ENRG TRGY MU BA KU SA SUBJECT: COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 7 and 8. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: During the January 2010 Department of State-led delegation to the Gulf region, the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) provided information on the potential for cooperation with the International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP). As described during the meetings, INSEP conducts peaceful nuclear cooperation with selected nations to improve nuclear safeguards infrastructures as those nations move toward civil nuclear energy. To this end, DOE/NNSA would like to explore the establishment of a non-legally binding, technical arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy between DOE/NNSA and the appropriate counterpart organization in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This message contains further information on INSEP, requests that Embassy convey this proposal formally to appropriate officials in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and proposes a DOE/NNSA delegation hold detailed discussions with appropriate officials during the March 14-18, 2010 "International Conference on Human Resource Development for Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes" to be held Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) BACKGROUND: The United States regards civil nuclear energy as an important source of energy for both developed and developing nations. Under Article IV of the NPT, the U.S. supports peaceful nuclear development and applications 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 safeguards, medicine, agriculture, and water resources. ¶4. (U) As a component of U.S. bilateral cooperation, the DOE/NNSA International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) strengthens the international nuclear safeguards regime and supports the safe, secure, and peaceful implementation of nuclear technologies. Beginning in 1982, DOE/NNSA has implemented non-legally-binding bilateral cooperation arrangements with Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Thailand, and Vietnam. New arrangements are being negotiated with Malaysia and the UAE. ¶5. (U) Under these arrangements, INSEP conducts peaceful nuclear cooperation with these nations to improve nuclear safeguards infrastructures as those nations move toward civil nuclear energy. This cooperation addresses numerous nuclear infrastructure topics including: radiation protection; nuclear regulation; energy planning; international nuclear 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 evaluation; technical training and workshops; expert visits and consultation; 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. (U) INSEP would like to explore the possibility of bilateral collaboration with Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and hold related discussions with appropriate officials during the March 14-18, 2010 "International Conference on Human Resource Development for Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes" to be held Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. END BACKGROUND. ¶7. (U) BEGIN ACTION REQUEST: Drawing from the background above and the talking points contained in para 9 below, Embassy is requested to notify appropriate officials in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, of INSEP's interest in following up on its January 2009 visit and exploring the potential for bilateral cooperation. In order to initiate this dialogue, Embassy is requested to deliver the attached model "Arrangement for Cooperation" to these countries about the potential areas for cooperation (see para 10). (NOTE: For Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with which we presently have non-binding civil nuclear cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (dated 3/24/08 and 5/16/08 respectively),this arrangement would be implemented pursuant to the MOU. In these cases, the MOU would set an over-arching framework, while the proposed new INSEP arrangement sets a basis for technical cooperation. This approach has been successfully applied in the United Arab Emirates. END NOTE.) ¶8. (U) ACTION REQUEST CONTINUED: Embassy is also requested to notify officials in Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia about INSEP's interest in holding detailed discussions about cooperation during the March 14-18, 2010 "International Conference on Human Resource Development for Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes" to be held Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Embassy is requested to report any particular interest to Matthew Van Sickle at NNSA (address below). END ACTION REQUEST. ¶9. (U) BEGIN TALKING POINTS: -- We would like to thank you for the recent productive meetings during the January 2010 Department of State- led delegation on civil nuclear energy cooperation with the United States. -- During those meetings, you received information about the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and its International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP). --We would like to explore the establishment of a non-legally binding, technical arrangement for cooperation on nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. -- Such cooperation would benefit both countries through exchange of experience and best practices, and would demonstrate commitment by both countries to the safe, secure, and peaceful implementation of nuclear energy. -- Potential areas for collaboration with INSEP include: international safeguards; radiation protection; nuclear regulation; energy planning; emergency planning and response; radioactive waste management; environment, safety and health; quality assurance; international laboratory certification; and nuclear human resource development. -- In order to better understand the steps necessary for cooperation, we have provided a copy of the model "Arrangement for Cooperation" that INSEP uses to establish technical partnerships. This "Arrangement for Cooperation" is a non-legally binding document that establishes a framework for cooperation by outlining the different forms of cooperation available and provides an organizational structure for the partnership. While each Arrangement is negotiated separately, this model provides an initial point for discussion. -- As a next step, representatives from INSEP propose holding detailed discussions about the potential for cooperation during the March 14-18, 2010 "International Conference on Human Resource Development for Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes" to be held Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. -- For additional information, please contact Matthew Van Sickle at matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or at 202-586-2859. END TALKING POINTS. ¶10. (U) BEGIN ATTACHMENT MODEL "ARRANGEMENT FOR COOPERATION". ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND the (appropriate MINISTRY or authority) OF THE (Country) FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND NONPROLIFERATION The Department of Energy of the United States of America (DOE) and the (Ministry) of the (Country),hereinafter referred to as the "Participants," Including, within their respective missions, programs for the development and application of peaceful uses of nuclear energy and associated infrastructures in their respective countries; Recognizing the interest of the United States of America and (Country) in promoting cooperation in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as called for in Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; Noting the desire of the DOE, through its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and its national laboratories, and of the (Ministry),through its (Designated Entity(ies)), to exchange technical information and to cooperate in the field of peaceful nuclear energy infrastructure and nonproliferation; Have reached the following understanding: SECTION 1 - PURPOSE The purpose of this Arrangement is to establish a cooperative institutional relationship between the Participants for the exchange of unclassified, non-proprietary technological, scientific, and other information regarding peaceful nuclear energy infrastructure and to facilitate additional forms of cooperation to the extent permitted by the laws, regulations, and policies of their respective Governments. Under this Arrangement, cooperative activities include projects that establish effective nuclear infrastructure promoting best practices in nuclear safeguards, safety, and security. SECTION 2 - FORMS OF COOPERATION ¶A. The activities intended to be carried out by the Participants under this Arrangement may include the following, subject to available funds and to the extent permitted by the laws, regulations, and policies of their respective Governments: ¶1. Exchange of unclassified, non-proprietary technological, scientific, and other information; ¶2. Training of technical, scientific, and managerial personnel through technical training visits; work periods in laboratories or other institutions; and seminars or specific courses in subject areas such as but not limited to nuclear legislation and regulation; nuclear safeguards; nuclear material physical security; quality assurance; emergency preparedness; environment, safety, and health; low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste management; and research reactor operations and utilization; ¶3. Facilitation by NNSA of acquisition by the (Designated Entity(ies)) of appropriate laboratory equipment or associated materials that are difficult to obtain in a timely manner, to include recommendation of appropriate items for acquisition, coordination with suppliers and vendors, and review and consultation on export control requirements; ¶4. Joint projects in which each Participant is, unless otherwise determined in writing, responsible for the costs it incurs; ¶5. Organization of technical seminars, workshops, and meetings; and ¶6. Other specific forms of collaboration relating to peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear infrastructure as may be added by written arrangement of the Participants. ¶B. To the extent permitted by the laws, regulations, and policies of their respective Governments, the Participants' cooperation in the activities described in subparagraph (A) of this Section may be implemented through the following: ¶1. Short visits by DOE's or the (Designated Entity(ies)') expert teams or individuals to the other's laboratories or other facilities; ¶2. Working visits of either DOE's or the (Designated Entity(ies)') personnel to the other's laboratories or other facilities; ¶3. Use by the (Designated Entity(ies)') personnel of appropriate facilities and equipment owned and operated by DOE or its laboratories; ¶C. DOE and the (Designated Entity(ies)) should confirm in writing the details of any specific cooperation undertaken under this Arrangement, including the conduct of specific projects for which DOE may utilize its laboratories or other facilities. ¶D. Although the generation of intellectual property is not foreseen at this stage of cooperation, should DOE and the (Ministry) desire to undertake a joint project that could result in the creation of intellectual property, they should conclude an appropriate written agreement therefor. Each such agreement should include appropriate provisions for carrying out the joint project, including such matters as technical scope, intellectual property protection and allocation, management, costs, cost-sharing and schedule of work. SECTION 3 - MANAGEMENT ¶A. Each Participant intends to name one Principal Coordinator to supervise its respective activities under this Arrangement. Unless otherwise determined, the Principal Coordinators should meet or communicate annually to evaluate the status of cooperation under this Arrangement. This evaluation should include review of the achievements, problems, and effectiveness of activities under this Arrangement. The Principal Coordinators should also identify and propose for Participants' approval future collaborative opportunities with a view toward maximizing the mutual benefits of cooperation. ¶B. With the exception of joint projects described in Section 2 D. and under the Participants' direction, the Principal Coordinators should establish an Action Sheet for each cooperative activity, such as those in Section 2 A.2. Each Action Sheet should include objectives, task description, milestones, schedule, and assignment of responsibilities for participating institutions. Action Sheets should specify start and end dates, typically being from one to three years in duration. ¶C. Subject to the prior approval of the Participants, each Principal Coordinator may appoint a Technical Coordinator to manage specific cooperative activities initiated under this Arrangement and to establish and maintain working contacts at the staff level. SECTION 4 - GENERAL PROVISIONS ¶A. Cooperation under this Arrangement may commence upon signature of both Participants. ¶B. The terms of this Arrangement may be altered in writing by the Participants' mutual determination. If either Participant wishes to discontinue its activities under this Arrangement, it should endeavor to give at least 30 days advance written notice to the other Participant ¶C. Each Participant should conduct the activities under this Arrangement in accordance with the laws, regulations, and policies of that Participant's Government and applicable international agreements to which that Participant's Government is party. ¶D. Each Participant should handle information received from the other Participant in implementing this Arrangement in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, and policies of the receiving Participant's Government. ¶E. This Arrangement is not intended to create legally binding obligations between the Participants. The Participants understand that the cooperative activities are subject to available funds and personnel. ¶F. Unless otherwise determined in writing, each Participant is responsible for the costs it incurs in participating in the activities contemplated by this Arrangement. END ATTACHMENT MODEL "ARRANGEMENT FOR COOPERATION". ¶11. (U) Embassy is requested to provide response and points of contact to Mr. Matthew Van Sickle DOE/NNSA/NA-242 at matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov or 202-586-2859 by March 5, ¶2010. Embassy assistance is greatly appreciated. END TEXT. CLINTON