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INFO USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA

UNCLAS STATE 127423 
 
 
ALSO VILNIUS PLEASE PASS TO MINSK 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO
SUBJECT: CIVIL NUCLEAR WORKING GROUP OF THE TRADE PROMOTION 
COORDINATING COMMITTEE REQUESTS INFORMATION SUPPORT ON 
COUNTRIES PLANS TO PURSUE NUCLEAR ENERGY 
 
REF: UNVIE 576 
 
 
¶1.  THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST:  Please see paras 5-8. 
 
¶2.  SUMMARY.  At the first meeting of the Civil Nuclear 
Interagency Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating 
Committee on August 27, 2008, representatives of several USG 
agencies agreed to request that selected Posts report on in- 
country developments regarding civil nuclear energy to provide 
a current overview of host countrys plans in this sector. 
This reporting will be used to inform policy makers, identify 
market opportunities, and support trade promotion activities 
for the U.S. civil nuclear industry.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶3.  BACKGROUND.  To support an emerging U.S. civil nuclear 
industry as it competes in global markets, the International 
Trade Administration (ITA), within the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, has developed the Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative. 
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez officially announced the 
Initiative on October 8, 2008 at the Civil Nuclear Energy 
Summit at the Department of Commerce.  The Summit, co- 
organized by the Departments of Commerce and Energy, focused 
on renewing Americas nuclear energy partnership for energy 
security and economic growth and included over 200 leaders 
from the sector.  The summary of the conference proceedings 
and presentations are available at: 
www.ita.doc.gov/td/energy/nuclear.htm. 
 
¶4.  The Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative (see 
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-198 39.pdf): 
 
-- Created a new interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating 
Committee (TPCC) Working Group, to coordinate international 
U.S. policy and activities affecting U.S. civil nuclear trade; 
 
-- Established a Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee 
(CINTAC), composed of U.S. industry representatives that will 
provide consensus advice from the U.S. civil nuclear industry 
to the Secretary of Commerce; 
 
-- Inaugurated industry promotional activities at the 
International Atomic Energy Agencys General Conference in 
Vienna, Austria, September 29 - October 4, 2008, which 
included a U.S. nuclear industry exhibit and reception and a 
policymakers roundtable (see reftel for summary); and 
 
-- Seeks, under the auspices of the Department of Commerce, to 
identify U.S. civil nuclear trade mission opportunities to key 
overseas markets (e.g., Commercial Nuclear Trade Mission to 
India).  END BACKGROUND. 
 
¶5.  ACTION REQUEST.  Department requests assistance from 
designated Posts to provide a brief, current overview of host 
countrys planned nuclear energy program.  Post should seek 
out meetings with host government energy, industry, foreign 
affairs, and trade representatives and key officials and 
representatives in other appropriate private sectors.  Posts 
may wish to draw from background above to describe the 
International Trade Administrations (ITA) Civil Nuclear Trade 
Initiative and promote opportunities for U.S. civil nuclear 
industry.  Post may also advise host governments that nuclear 
infrastructure development assistance programs may be 
available through the USG, commensurate with need and subject 
to availability of limited resources. 
 
¶6.  To maximize the effectiveness of reporting cables to both 
the civil nuclear industry and policymakers, Department 
requests that Posts send information via unclassified cable. 
Where necessary, classified information should be sent septel 
with a reference to the unclassified reporting cable. 
 
¶7.  Department requests that Posts seek responses to the 
following questions and report back to Washington by December 
23, 2008.  Not all questions may be relevant for each country. 
Some questions may have already been asked and answered in 
recent reporting, in which case such reporting should be 
referenced in replying to this cable.  Expressions of serious 
interest should be noted to allow Washington to follow-up as 
appropriate.  Future updates on civil nuclear developments are 
encouraged, as merited. 
 
¶8.  CIVIL NUCLEAR SECTOR REPORTING REQUESTED. 
 
Overview of Civil Nuclear Power Program 
--------------------------------------- 
 
-- Describe any plans for the development of nuclear power in 
your country.  Also, describe any existing or planned nuclear 
power related facilities in your country, such as uranium 
mining, if any.  Do you foresee an expansion of these 
facilities? 
 
-- If your country is considering the pursuit of nuclear 
power, describe the underlying motivations (e.g., current or 
anticipated power shortages, energy security, or other 
industrial uses, such as desalination). 
 
-- If there are plans to pursue nuclear power, describe the 
anticipated government role in the financing of its civil 
nuclear sector.  For example, does the government plan to 
provide subsidies, tax breaks, loan guarantees, or other 
financial incentives?  Would some or all nuclear power plants 
be state-owned and operated?  Would you seek financing from 
international investment banks and organizations or consortium 
arrangements? 
 
-- What are the names and titles of the key nuclear decision 
making government bodies and top officials? 
 
-- Does your country have an existing nuclear regulatory 
authority?  What are its inspection/enforcement powers?  If 
so, how large is it (i.e., how many people does it employ)? 
If not, are there plans to establish such an authority? 
 
-- Does your country have a domestic nuclear liability law? 
If so, please summarize its major elements.  In particular, is 
there a minimum level of required liability coverage required 
for operation?  If your country is not party to an 
international liability regime, is there any consideration 
being given to joining one?  If so, which international 
liability regime (Vienna Convention, Paris Convention, 
Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage) 
is being considered. 
 
-- Is the manufacturing base in your country (including high- 
tech components and heavy industry) involved in nuclear- 
related products or services?  Does it seem likely that any 
components or contracting services for new plants could be 
sourced locally, or would the majority of these need to be 
imported? 
 
-- How extensive is your countrys nuclear-trained workforce? 
Does your country have a significant engineering, technician 
and construction base that could be readily converted into a 
nuclear workforce (e.g., engineers, high precision 
manufacturing, robust quality assurance programs, high quality 
construction)?  Will the development of civil nuclear power 
require a significant foreign workforce?  Are programs in 
place, or being developed, for training of domestic personnel 
(e.g., in skilled trades and nuclear regulation)? 
 
Opportunities for U.S. Industry 
------------------------------- 
 
-- Does your country have any current or anticipated nuclear- 
related tenders?  If so, please describe the tender/selection 
process for new contracts, its timing, and indicate any U.S. 
firms considering bidding. 
 
-- What nuclear sector opportunities do you foresee for U.S. 
industry (e.g., feasibility studies or other consulting 
services, plant construction management, reactor sales, fuel 
cycle service provision, plant operations, waste management, 
or logistics)? 
 
-- If applicable, what are the primary companies (domestic and 
foreign) involved in (or considering involvement in) your 
countrys civil nuclear sector?  Please include utilities, 
plant operators, fuel cycle service providers, technology 
vendors, and major construction or consulting firms. 
 
Foreign Competitors 
------------------- 
 
-- Are there other nuclear supplier countries engaging your 
country?  Please describe any available details on formal 
agreements including existing or potential (1) MOUs on nuclear 
cooperation; (2) legal frameworks for nuclear commerce; or (3) 
arrangements for technical or information exchanges. 
 
-- Are there any political considerations your country may 
take into account when choosing to cooperate with competing 
nuclear supplier states? 
 
¶9.  Post assistance in this request is much appreciated. 
Commerce Department point of contact is Sarah Lopp (202-482- 
3851, sarah.lopp@mail.doc.gov); State Department point of 
contact is Marc Humphrey (202-647-6103, HumphreyMA@state.gov). 
 
 
RICE