Russia’s nuclear security and nuclear weapons proliferation dangers
A great example of Russia’s unscrupulousness is the $1 billion Bushehr nuclear station in Iran……..….
………….the plant designs promoted by Russian companies (in particular, the floating stations) present high proliferation and environmental risks because they use uranium of a very high enrichment level, have caused accidents in the past, and create a byproduct that scientists are yet to learn how to dispose of.
Russia: A Nuclear Security Leader? Partnership for a Secure America , by Volha Charnysh |26 April 2010, Considered the Pandora’s box of nuclear security issues for decades, Russia is now being recast as a nuclear security leader……. However, Russia’s active and at times reckless pursuit of nuclear business contradicts its claim to nuclear security leadership and could weaken the commitments made at the Summit. Continue reading
Australia to change rules so as to sell uranium to India?
Australia May Waiver Rules To Sell Uranium To India NUCLEAR EXPORT CONTROLS, Spectrum, April 26, 2010 Australia is planning to change its domestic rules to allow India to import Uranium from the country. Continue reading
Uranium Enrichment company Silex now runs Solar Firm
the re-opening of the plant will force a moral dilemma on go-greeners in the country. Do they really want to invest in Australian-made solar panels, when they will also, indirectly, be investing in nuclear energy?
Sydney’s largest solar panel plant rescued from the brink of extinction, Photovoltaics International27 April 2010 | By Emma Hughes “……As BP closed its doors for the final time, Australia’s PV manufacturing industry looked like it would never again see the light of day. Continue reading
BHP Billiton not disclosing its bribery, while keeping up its integrity spin
Oxfam is urging BHP Billiton to clean up its act, by disclosing all its bribes to countries to secure mining leases. BHP Billiton is signed up to the ETI agreement, which sets a standard for transparency in mining operations.
Cambodia’s Minister fro Water Resources said that BHP paid $US 2.5 million to the government, to secure a special concession.
BHP Executive Marius Kloppers memo’d staff on BHP’s “working with integrity” – and with “our values, which underpins everything we do” – source: – The Age, Business April 28, 2010 – “BHP urged to open up on payments.”
Colorado legislating to force uranium miners to clean up
Lawmakers worry a new national focus on nuclear energy will allow mines to postpone cleanup of radioactive wastes while they ramp up production.
(USA) Colo. Senate gives initial backing to uranium bill, Washington Examiner, Associated Press04/27/10 DENVER — The state Senate has given initial backing to requiring uranium mines and mills to clean up nuclear waste before accepting more radioactive material. Continue reading
Tony Abbott would dump the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Abbott wants lead role for troops in Afghanistan, The Age, MICHELLE GRATTAN, April 24, 2010, “………In his first major foreign policy speech as Opposition Leader, he …… said he would drop Australia’s bid for a Security Council seat; scuttle Kevin Rudd’s pursuit of an Asia-Pacific community, and likely dump the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament that Australia set up. Foreign aid would be focused on the Asia-Pacific region, and uranium sold to India……Abbott wants lead role for troops in Afghanistan
Australian govt undermining nonproliferation: uranium sales to Russia
“The spread of weapons grade material is the dark underbelly of the
uranium mining industry,”
Fernando de Freitas, 24 April 2010, The Federal Government’s decision to allow uranium exports to Russia will harm Australia’s credentials as a leading international voice against the spread of nuclear weapons, according to the Australian Greens. Continue reading
Australian uranium companies scouting for investment from India
Australia looking for investors in infrastructure sector, Thaindian News Kolkata, April 23 (IANS) Australia wants India to share costs with it in infrastructure projects required to support the mining expansion projects in that country, an official said here Friday.Damian Papps, director for investments, department of trade & economic development of South Australia, said the country was scouting for investors in India for this. Australia looking for investors in infrastructure sector
In uranium-producing Australia, beware of governments bearing gifts
Could it be that the Australian and South Australian governments are getting just a little bit rattled, about their slavish devotion to the uranium/nuclear industry?
Goodness knows, the mainstream media are doing everything they can to help them. Nary a word about the scandalous betrayal of Labor policies and promises on nuclear waste dumping in the Northern territory.
Nary a word about the crumbling uranium price, the stalled Olympic Dam mining. and very little on BHP Billiton’s alleged involvement in corruption.
Meanwhile the South Australian government seems to be aiming at enhancing its green credentials, with environmental grants. Or could it be that they would like the organisations receiving those grants to just shut up about the environmental degradation caused by uranium mining?
Australian Nuclear Free Alliance call for health checks near uranium mine
Call for health monitoring near uranium mine, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Sally Bothroyd Apr 22, 2010 A member of the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance says there should be a program to monitor the health of people who live near the Ranger uranium mine. Continue reading
Political and NGO movement to stop uranium mining in Indian national park
Former Lok Sabha threatens agitation against uranium mining Prokerala.com Shillong, April 22 Former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A. Sangma Thursday threatened to launch an agitation against the central government’s proposal to conduct exploratory drilling for uranium inside the Balpakram National Parkin the South Garo hills of Meghalaya. Continue reading
Australia about to ratify uranium sales to Russi
Australia’s Smith Says Pact to Allow Uranium Exports to Russia , BusinessWeek, By Marion Rae April 23 (Bloomberg) — Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Australia and Russia will ratify a nuclear agreement that will allow Australian uranium to be exported to Russia for “civil, peaceful purposes.”Smith made the comments today in an e-mailed transcript of a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his visit to Russia. Australia’s Smith Says Pact to Allow Uranium Exports to Russia – BusinessWeek
Did Russia’s lack of nuclear security enable smuggling of enriched uranium?
Saakashvili accuses Russia of supplying enriched uranium to Caucasus, News.Az 23 April 2010, President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili accused Russia “of creating unstableness”.According to RBK, in the opinion of the Georgian leader, the unstableness enables the smugglers to deliver the highly enriched uranium to the Caucasus………..The Georgian leader underlined that Russia should be responsible for maintaining control of the nuclear weapon distribution in these territories so long as “it has occupied them”. In his opinion, the incidents with the highly enriched uranium threaten Georgia’s safety. News.Az – Saakashvili accuses Russia of supplying enriched uranium to Caucasus
Big welcome for aboriginal anti-nuclear protesors in Martin Ferguson’s electorate
at left, Dianne Stokes. by Christian Macpherson 22 April 2010. The Northcote Town Hall right in the heart of Martin Ferguson’s electorate, was packed last night, as local and Melbourne residents welcomed two courageous Aboriginals from the Tennant Creek area in the Northern Territory.
As Martin Ferguson hides in the safety of his Melbourne bunker, not having the guts to visit the local residents of the Muckaty Station area (planned nuclear waste dump) – well, Diane Stokes and Mark Chungaloo came to visit Ferguson’s area.
Melbourne heard of the strong opposition of four aboriginal clans, of local non-aboriginals, and of the Northern territory government – to the new National Radioactive Waste Management Bill – – which is intended to override all their rights, and impose a nuclear waste dump on their land.
Perhaps Martin Ferguson, Australia’s Minister For Promoting the Nuclear Industry, will have a few voters to worry about, come the federal election.
Of course, Australia’s mainstream media, ever subservient to their corporate mining links, ignored this as large and attentive crowd was informed about this issue, Dr Bill Williams spoke on the health dangers of ioinsing radiation,. Natalie Wasley and Dave Sweeney spoke on the draconian legislation planned. Alex Bhathal, Greens candidate for the electorate of Batman, received warm applause
Nuclear corporation AREVA guiding Nuclear Security policies
The roundtable was hosted by Vice President Biden.
AREVA CEO Lauvergeon Participates In Nuclear Security Summit, Nuclear Power Industry News, 21 April 2010, – By Stephen Heiser – “……AREVA CEO Anne Lauvergeon participated in Nuclear Security Summit activities taking place this week in Washington, D.C. President Obama and global leaders were meeting to pursue a comprehensive nuclear security agenda to secure vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years…… Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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