Russia offers Uruguay floating nuclear power plant

01 Jan 2008

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/167205.html

Buenos Aires, Jan 1 (RIA Novosti) Russia is looking for cooperation with Uruguay in the field of nuclear energy, the Russian ambassador to the Latin American state has said.

'Our countries could maintain cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy although Uruguay's legislation bans the use of nuclear energy,' Sergei Koshkin said Monday.

The diplomat said Uruguayan officials had shown interest in a floating nuclear power plant (NPP), when the project's presentation took place at the Russian embassy recently.

Russia is currently building the world's first floating NPP, which is planned to be commissioned in 2011 in Russia's Arctic.

Russia hopes the new product will be in demand on the global market. Floating NPPs could be used in remote regions with power shortfalls and in projects requiring stand-alone and uninterrupted electricity supplies in the absence of a developed power grid.

Koshkin said Uruguay's legislation would not have to be amended as Russian specialists could tow a plant to its coast and build a power line so that Uruguay could buy electricity. Russia could also undertake to provide maintenance of the plant and its subsequent disposal, he added.

'This is a long-term plan, but it is being proactively discussed,' Koshkin said.

The first floating plant will have capacity of 70 Megawatts of electricity, and about 300 Megawatts of thermal power. The cost of the first plant is estimated at $400 million, but could later be reduced to $240 million.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Uruguay.

No radioactive leak at Vietnam oil rig plant, say officials

January 1, 2008

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=34661

Vietnamese nuclear safety officials said Monday there was no radiation leak when an incident forced the evacuation of hundreds of workers from an industrial plant in the country’s south late last week.

The plant, which manufactures oil rigs in the southern port of Vung Tau, had raised the alarm on Friday after a device that uses a radioactive substance to test for cracks in welding joints was misplaced for more than an hour.

More than 380 workers were sent for testing at a local hospital, some complaining of headaches and vomiting, said Phan Thanh Tung, director of the M and C Petroleum Technical Services Company.

Tung said five workers who had complained of dizziness remained in hospital for treatment Monday, while the others had returned to work.

"Some of them were nervous at first," said Nguyen Nhi Dien, director of the Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute, where 28 workers additionally underwent chromosome tests, the results of which are to be released next week.

Dang Thanh Luong, deputy director of Vietnam’s Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Control, on Monday told AFP: "After relevant tests, we confirm that there was no radiation leak."

Vietnam operates a small reactor at Da Lat for training and research and plans to build its first nuclear power plant by 2020.

Iran, Egypt stress enhanced ties

Tue, 01 Jan 2008

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=37100§ionid=351020101

The Leader's Representative to Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has stressed expansion of relations with Egypt.

Larijani met behind closed doors Monday in Cairo with members of Egypt's Foreign Relations Council. The parties discussed Tehran-Cairo ties and the latest developments in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.

Deputy Head of the Egyptian Foreign Relations Council Mohammed Ibrahim Shakir told IRNA that at the meeting, Larijani was briefed on efforts made by Cairo to access a peaceful nuclear program for electricity generation.

He added that the former Iranian nuclear negotiator said Tehran remains committed to its undertakings on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Shakir stated that Tehran follows a united policy concerning regional states and does not accept dual policies.

Larijani is scheduled to meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit Tuesday. He held talks with the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa on December 27.

Russia opposes US push for sanctions

Tue, 01 Jan 2008

Russia says sanctions are not an efficient measure against any country pursuing an independent policy toward international regulations.

Head of the Russian Federation Council International Affairs Committee Mikhail Margelov said any country pursuing an independent policy cannot be liked by all.

He stated that Russia now has its own position on key international and internal problems.

"We have disagreements with the US on certain quite important issues," Margelov said in an interview with Interfax.

He referred to the recent US intelligence report on Iran's nuclear project and added that accordingly Iran had phased out its nuclear weapons program back in 2003.

"However, even now, after the intelligence services made this report, the US hasn't changed its attitude toward Iran," Margelov said.

The Russian senator asserted that Russia would not agree with the US missile shield project in Europe.

He added that as it turns out, Iran does not have missiles threatening Europe; however, Washington would not accept a compromise on the project.

The US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report, released in early December, confirms that Tehran is not developing nuclear weaponry and reveals that the United States has been aware of this fact since 2003.

This is while Iran insists that is has never had a nuclear weapons program even before 2003.