U.S. reverses policy on nuclear exports

Press, 7 September 1981, Page 8

U.S. reverses policy on nuclear exports

NZPA London Sweeping changes in the Reagan Administration’s altitude towards exporting nuclear technology were outlined at an international uranium conference in London at the week-end. A senior State Department official, in a major statement on nuclear proliferation policy, said America was once again eager to play a role of world technology leader in the nuclear export market. James Malone. Assistant Secretary of State for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, was speaking to 400 delegates from 25 nations attending the sixth annual symposium of the Uranium Institute. His statement was welcomed by the chairman of Australia’s Pan Continental mining company, Anthony Grey, who told the symposium it was a significant policy departure from that of the previous administration. It was "pragmatic but still high principled." he said. The United States had enhanced the chances of an international consensus on the control of nuclear proliferation. Mr Malone said the new United States policy would mean "not only appropriate support for export opportunities but also pursuit of cooperative understanding with other nuclear suppliers that will enable U.S. manufacturers to compete on an equal basis."

He emphasised that a "reinvigorated American presence" in nuclear trade was not going to be bought at the expense of a weaker policy on preventing nuclear weapons proliferation. But the United States had learned that any attempt "to dictate the shape and content of world nuclear commerce by unilaterally imposing conditions was bound to fail.” Mr Malone recalled that with the nuclear explosion in India in 1974 American had tried to “slam the door" on sensitive nuclear development. . “We put overwhelming and all but exclusive emphasis on the proliferation dangers of nuclear technology.” he said. However, that policy had had mixed results. “Basically, what we have learned is that we cannot secure our. objectives acting alone," he said. Mr Malone said the United States now intended to reestablish its credibility as a reliable supplier in the nuclear field. “We feel that a clear perception of reliability is basic to our foreign policy objectives. ' “If we are to maintain our influence in the international community on nuclear issues, we must be an active participant in nuclear trade and commerce." Mr Malone state four ways in which United Slates policy was to change:- • The abolition of case-by-. case approvals for the transfer of spent nuclear fuel;

•No more American attempts to inhibit fast-breeder reactor or spent-fuel reprocessing programmes in other countries with advanced nuclear programmes "where it did not constitute a proliferation risk"; • An end to Government delays in authorising nuclear exports: • Assurance of adequate capacity to supply uranium enrichment services to foreign customers. Mr Malone also indicated that the Reagan Administration . was reviewing the American Nuclear Non-Pro-liferation Act of 1977 “to determine what changes might be necessary to expedite the export process and .enhance the credibility and competitiveness of the United States." Mr Grey told the conference that attempts to devise a more comprehensive international safeguard system had the most far-reaching effect on international trade in uranium. He said the industry believed a balance should be achieved which allowed continued reliance on the availability internationally of nuclear materials for peaceful purposes and yet established practical controls on the diversion of these materials to weaponry. Mr Grey welcomed recent steps by the Canadian and Australian Governments on prior-consent requirements.