VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0452/01 2751248
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021248Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0143
INFO RUEHII/VIENNA IAEA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEANFA/NRC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0907

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000452 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR T, IO/T, ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA 
NRC FOR OIP - DOANE 
DOE FOR S-1, NA-20-D'AGASTINO 
NA-243-GOOREVICH,OEHLBERT 
NA-241 O'CONNOR; NA-21- CUMMINS 
NE- MCGINNIS, PERKO, CLAPPER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY
SUBJECT:  IAEA/General Conference: Side Events 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  During the 2009 IAEA General Conference several 
side events were scheduled by the Technical Cooperation (TC) and 
Nuclear Applications (NA) departments and the Office of Nuclear 
Security (ONS).  Msnoffs attended four events of interest to the 
USG: 1) the unveiling of a new Technical Cooperation (TC) project to 
implement Results Based Management (RBM), 2) the TC Division's 
Europe Regional Meeting, 3) the Program of Action for Cancer Therapy 
(PACT) annual briefing, and 4) a Member State briefing on the 
Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB).  Additionally, the 
2009 Scientific Forum took place focusing on energy demands and 
issued a report with recommendations for international organizations 
to consider. Like other Member States, the USG had two displays from 
DOE and NNSA and the U.S. supported NGO WINS also had a booth.  U.S. 
delegation members also conducted bilateral meetings on the 
Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). 
TC DDG Cetto invited Member States to a briefing on the 
implementation of RMB in the TC Division.  Cetto expects Member 
States to whole-heartedly endorse the implementation of an RBM model 
for project management at the November TACC and BOG.  Another TC 
side event, hosted by the Director of the European Division, Peter 
Salema, focused on updating the Europe regional TC strategy and 
project implementation.  DDG Werner Burkart spoke at the PACT 
briefing highlighting the need for more fundraising by PACT to meet 
rising numbers of cancer patients in developing countries resulting 
increasing need for cancer control assistance.  IAEA representatives 
also briefed the Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB), which 
monitors illicit trade, possession or movement of nuclear and 
radioactive materials within and across international borders.  The 
goal of the ITDB is to identify trends, threats, and vulnerabilities 
of material security and detection capabilities by providing such 
information to participating States and appropriate international 
organizations, while also encouraging States to improve the 
monitoring and reporting of such incidents. END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------ 
RESULTS BASED MANAGEMENT 
------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (U)  Responding to repeated calls by Member States for more 
transparency and better management of TC projects, DDG Cetto has 
secured the services of a Canadian expert team to implement results 
based management (RBM) in the division.  To introduce Member States 
to RBM modeling, Member States were invited to a briefing hosed by 
DDG Cetto at which she reaffirmed the intent that Technical 
Cooperation with the Member States increasingly promote tangible 
socio-economic impact by contributing in a cost effective manner to 
the achievement of the major sustainable development priorities of 
each country. 
 
¶3.  (U)  RBM, simply put, is a strategic management approach.  TC 
plans to use this approach with both donor and recipient Member 
States to plan, cost, implement, monitor and measure technical 
cooperation and the changes brought about by each project, rather 
than just monitor the inputs provided or activities conducted. Using 
RBM, the TC Department seeks to ensure that its funding, supply and 
technical assistance contribute to a logical chain of results that 
increase in complexity and ambition as a recipient Member State 
gains more and more nuclear technology know-how.  RBM depends on 
critical assumptions about the project environment and risk 
assessments, clearly defined accountabilities and indicators for 
results, and performance monitoring and reporting.  If successful, 
this approach will shift managerial and administrative emphasis from 
a process-focused approach to one based on performance and results 
(outcomes), something Member States have repeatedly called for.  At 
the close of the briefing, a number of Member States advised the TC 
Division to release a full-scope project document on the RBM 
implementation plan and possibly add it to the November TACC as an 
agenda item for discussion. 
 
-------------------------- 
TC Europe Regional Meeting 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U)  The U.S. attended the Europe Regional TC meeting as an 
observer.  The meeting, hosted by Director of the European Division, 
Manase Peter Salema, focused on finalizing the European regional 
strategy and technical cooperation program (TCP).  The objectives of 
the European TCP is to identify and implement in a comprehensive and 
balanced manner nuclear technologies for addressing national and 
regional needs and to promote their sustainable use; to promote 
regional networks for exchange of nuclear technologies and 
information; to promote high levels of safety, security and 
non-proliferation; and to create awareness on the benefits of 
nuclear technologies and obtain funding for the program.  European 
Member States pledged to finalize their inputs by mid-October. 
 
---- 
PACT 
---- 
 
¶4.  (U)  DDG for Nuclear Sciences and Applications Werner Burkart 
and PACT Director Massoud Samiei hosted the annual GC PACT briefing 
to focus delegates from capitals on objectives achieved and goals 
for the medium term.  Noting the continued rise in cancer patient 
numbers in developing countries and consequent increasing need for 
cancer control assistance, Samiei encouraged Member States to make 
contributions (either in-kind or monetary) to PACT.  Both Burkart 
and Samiei spoke very highly of new partnership with the World 
Health Organization (WHO), which will provide a comprehensive cancer 
therapy plan to states which includes the niche services the IAEA 
can provide.  Representatives from Nigeria, Vietnam, and Mongolia 
spoke at the event and encouraged more national participation in 
PACT/WHO programs. 
 
---------------------------- 
Illicit Trafficking Database 
---------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U)  On the margins of the General Conference, IAEA 
representatives briefed the Agency's Illicit Trafficking Database 
(ITDB), which monitors illicit trade, possession or movement of 
nuclear and radioactive materials within and across international 
borders.  The ITDB was established in 1995 as a means of collecting, 
maintaining and analyzing credible information through official 
channels and to facilitate the exchange of authoritative information 
between Member States.  In addition to receiving data through 
official channels, the ITDB collects open source information on 
incidents of unauthorized acquisition, possession, use, or sale of 
such materials.  Open source information not obtained via official 
channels from a Member State is always verified by the country where 
the incident occurred to ensure the accuracy of the information. 
The goal of the ITDB is to identify trends, threats, and 
vulnerabilities of material security and detection capabilities by 
providing such information to participating States and appropriate 
international organizations, while also encouraging States to 
improve the monitoring and reporting of such incidents. 
Dissemination of information collected and analyzed is restricted 
and for official use only.  The ITDB strictly adheres to certain 
guidelines on protecting any "confidential" information that is 
provided by Member States.  From 1993-2008, the ITDB reported 1562 
confirmed incidents of unauthorized activities.  ITDB analysts note 
that while there has been a marked reduction of incidents in recent 
years largely due to improved national and international efforts to 
address nuclear security, the problem of securing and recovering 
nuclear and radiological materials continues to persist." 
 
--- 
CSC 
--- 
 
¶6.  (U)  On the margins of the GC, U.S. delegation experts on 
nuclear liability took the opportunity to advocate the Convention on 
Supplementary Compensation (CSC) with other delegations.  In some 
cases, delegations provided an update of their progress on CSC 
ratification.  For others, the discussions were clarifications of 
aspects of the CSC.  U.S. del members met with four members of the 
so-called coastal states, Member States that have voiced concerns 
about transport of nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel through their 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters.  Surprisingly, all seemed 
unaware of the provision in the CSC that would allow the judicial 
proceedings related to nuclear damage suffered in their EEZ waters 
to be heard in their respective domestic courts.  This was a 
provision which had been specifically added to the CSC for the 
benefit of the coastal states.  The Department will follow up on 
emphasis of this aspect for those states. 
 
¶7.  (U)  Of note were comments from: 
 
- CANADA:  Before Parliament can take up the CSC, it must revise its 
domestic law on civil liability and compensation in the case of a 
nuclear accident.  A bill doing this has reached the second reading 
(of three required) in Parliament.   The same thing occurred with a 
similar bill last year and the process had to start anew with 
Parliamentary elections in 2008.  There is concern that the same 
thing may occur before the bill is passed.  The Canadians tell us 
that they must finish that bill before they can take up the CSC. 
 
-UKRAINE:  Last year, the Ukrainian delegation opined that the 
political situation would make it virtually impossible to take of 
the CSC in the Rada.  Now, due to the economic slowdown, the 
situation is even worse, with the estimate that it would take one to 
two years before the GOU could even consider taking up the question 
of ratification of the CSC. 
 
-NORWAY:  The Norwegians expressed interest in the CSC, especially 
the provisions concerning the EEZ.  The fact was noted that Norway 
had had input into this aspect of the CSC and it was included to 
address the concerns of Norway and other coastal states.  Further 
communication will be made regarding the CSC with the MFA and the 
Radiation Protection Authority. 
 
-IRELAND: The Irish delegation was more skeptical of the benefit of 
membership in the CSC, especially regarding the amount of funds that 
would be available to recompense victims of a nuclear accident. 
They felt that 600 million Special Drawing Rights (about 900 million 
USD) was too little potential compensation.  They already had been 
skeptical of the amount, but cited the recent dioxin scare in 
Ireland that caused a large amount of pork products to be destroyed. 
 The losses due to this dioxin scare totaled up to 600 million 
Euros.   With that in mind, the Irish have concluded that if a 
relatively limited dioxin incident can cause a 600 Euro loss, then a 
nuclear accident would be far more expensive.  Notwithstanding their 
concerns, the Irish agreed to continue to discuss the Convention. 
The point was made to them that under the CSC, they would be in a 
position to at least be able to get a certain amount, and if an 
incident occurred in Irish EEZ waters, the court hearings would be 
in Ireland. 
 
-NEW ZEALAND: The head of the New Zealand delegation, Joan Mosely, 
was the most positive of the coastal-state delegates regarding the 
CSC.  While New Zealand has been antagonistic toward nuclear power 
and concerned about transport of nuclear fuel and spent fuel 
(transported from Japan to Europe, and passing near New Zealand EEZ 
waters), she noted the improvements the shipping states have made. 
She also positively noted the EEZ provisions that would put the 
judicial hearings regarding a nuclear accident in New Zealand EEZ 
waters in its own courts. 
 
-PERU:  The DCM of the Peruvian mission, Miluska Caceres, discussed 
the CSC and promised to forward the information and provide a 
Peruvian Government point of contact.  The EEZ provisions were of 
particular interest as Peru depends heavily on fishing in its EEZ. 
 
-AUSTRALIA:  Australia's stated position for ratification of the CSC 
is to wait until it has entered into force, and a substantial number 
of countries have ratified it.  This would make the amount 
potentially available in the supplementary amount worthwhile for 
Australia to forgo some rights of its citizens in order to enter the 
Convention. 
 
-THAILAND: Thailand is serious about embarking on a civil nuclear 
power program and Sirichai Keinmeesuke, Secretary-General of the 
Office of Atoms for Peace, expressed interest in the CSC. 
 
-JAPAN:  The Japanese were requested for a meeting on the CSC, 
mainly to get an update on the relevant ministries' review of the 
CSC.  The Japanese demurred on a meeting, and indicated that the CSC 
would be discussed at the October talks with the U.S. on IAEA 
strategy. 
 
---------------- 
Scientific Forum 
---------------- 
 
¶8.  (U)  The 2009 Scientific Forum held on the margins of the 
General Conference focused on the lack of access to modern energy 
services in many parts of the world and debated whether this is the 
missing Millennium Development Goal.  Sessions looked at energy 
demand and supply and the energy options - renewable sources, fossil 
and nuclear. The link between food security and energy supply and 
the weaknesses in existing energy aid mechanisms was also discussed. 
The Scientific Forum Chair concluded there was a general consensus 
that crafting robust national energy strategies is a prerequisite 
for reducing energy poverty and charting sustainable energy 
development. The planning tools and capacity building provided by 
IAEA are an important contribution towards this objective but much 
more is needed.  According to the Chair, there is indeed a need for 
an International Energy Organization, covering all energy types that 
would address development-energy challenges by searching for 
technology solutions, elaborating policy frameworks and monitoring 
implementation.  An important task would be fostering relevant 
international treaties that bring together 
resource rich and resource poor, developing and developed 
countries. 
 
------------ 
USG Exhibits 
------------ 
 
¶9.  (U) Throughout the General Conference, the Department of Energy 
(DOE) and the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) sponsored 
educational exhibits in the Rotunda Building.  On Monday, September 
14, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu visited DOE's two booths 
promoting the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative and the Office 
of Nuclear Energy, and gave a press conference following his plenary 
speech.  Both exhibits highlighted the United States' commitment to 
the peaceful and safeguarded use of nuclear energy, while also 
recognizing the important roles of the IAEA and its member states. 
WINS also participated in the exhibition and used this opportunity 
to promote membership to its organization and to share its mission 
of providing an international forum for nuclear security. 
 
DAVIES