Nuclear Thread - 4

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.zeenews.com/news614991.html"]India, US conclude talks on nuke reprocessing[/url] Updated on Monday, March 29, 2010,

New Delhi: India and the US have finalised negotiations on arrangements and procedures for reprocessing of American-origin spent fuel, a key step for implementation of the historic civil nuclear deal signed in September 2008.



The negotiations were held as per a clause in the 123 Agreement that mandated India to set up a dedicated reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards where the spent nuclear fuel from the US could be reprocessed.





"The United States and India have taken an important step toward implementing civil nuclear cooperation by completing negotiations on 'arrangements and procedures' for reprocessing US-origin spent nuclear fuel," the State Department said in a statement.



Under the 123 Agreement, negotiations on reprocessing were to be started six months after the signing of 123 Agreement and concluded within a year thereafter.



Accordingly, the negotiations were started in August last year and completed well in advance.



"The United States of America and the Republic of India are close to completing an historic partnership on civil nuclear cooperation, an issue of global significance. The two countries have finalized negotiations on arrangements and procedures for reprocessing U.S.-origin spent nuclear fuel," US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said while making the announcement in a statement.



The completion of these arrangements would facilitate participation of US firms in India's rapidly-expanding civil nuclear sector, the State Department said.



"The United States and India are one step closer to ensuring greater access to clean and affordable energy and electricity for all Indians, particularly those most in need," Timothy said.



He said the important step was "part of the great, win-win narrative of the US-India global partnership, affirming the commitment of our two countries to realize the full potential of our landmark civil nuclear agreement."



Pointing out that these arrangements will enable Indian reprocessing of U.S.-obligated nuclear material under IAEA safeguards, the US envoy said it would "help open the door for US firms in India’s rapidly-expanding energy sector, creating thousands of jobs" for the citizens of both the countries.



"Along with the great progress our countries are making in the realm of civil nuclear energy, we recognize that Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh shares President (Barack) Obama?s bold vision for a nuclear weapons-free world," he said.



He applauded India’s "outstanding track record on non-proliferation issues and we look forward to our continuing cooperation in this area."



The arrangements were negotiated pursuant to Article 6(iii) of the historic Agreement for Cooperation between India and the United States concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy.



After this agreement, India needs to take two more steps before the civil nuclear deal can become operational. These are -- putting in place a civil nuclear liability law and giving an assurance on non-proliferation.



The 'Declaration' or 'Assurances' is required by the US government under the Code of Federal Regulations Part 810 (pronounced Part Eight Ten) to give licences to American companies to work in India.



Under the regulation 810, the recipient country has to undertake that it would not to explode a nuclear device, unless exempted, and not use the material received for military purposes.



PTI

And where is PM Manmohan Singh's allocation of funds to setup separate reprocessing and fuel fabrication facilities?

MMS will cannibalize reprocessing and fuel fabrication facitlites from Indigenous (non-civil) pool, without giving any money to setup new facities (current ones are already reaching end of life ) and thus kill teh non-civil part of Indian reactors, reprocessing and weapons program.