Russian nuclear exports up in 2003
PLA Daily 2004-01-30
MOSCOW, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia's exports of nuclear products increased by 400 million US dollars to hit three billion US dollars in 2003, Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said Thursday.
Exports of nuclear products include enriched uranium, nuclear fuel, isotope products and the construction of nuclear power-producing units abroad, Interfax news agency cited the minister assaying.
He stressed that "this is a serious figure" and attributed the greatest proportion of the growth in nuclear exports to the sale of fresh nuclear fuel for plants abroad.
Rumyantsev said his ministry plans to match the 2003 figure in 2004 but exports will depend on market conditions which could change as new members join the European Union, according to Itar-Tass news agency.
The minister expressed regret that no contract had been made sofar for importing, storing, or recycling spent nuclear fuel from foreign countries, adding that Russia has good technologies and can implement such projects safely and make good profits.
He also noted that Russia and Iran would discuss construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant's first unit on Feb. 15, Interfax reported.
Russia is helping Iran build an 800 million dollar nuclear power plant in the coastal city of Bushehr. According to the initial contract, the first unit of the plant should be completed in 2004.
But Russia decided last October to put off the launch of the reactor till 2005 due to alleged technical reasons.
Rumyantsev stressed that Iran -- suspected of using the atomic power project as a cover to develop nuclear weapons -- has signed the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that stipulates greater openness in having its atomic energy programs scrutinized by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and the world community.
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