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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0475/01 2891512
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 161512Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0191
INFO RUEHII/VIENNA IAEA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0197
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0074
RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 0202
RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA PRIORITY 0234
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0337
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEANFA/NRC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000475 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR T, IO/T, ISN/MNSA, ISN/RA 
NRC FOR OIP - DOANE; SCHWARTZMAN 
DOE FOR S-1, NA-20-DAGASTINO; 
NA-243-GOOREVICH, OEHLBERT; 
NA-241 O'CONNOR; NA-21- CUMMINS; 
NSC FOR HOLGATE, SCHEINMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC KNNP IAEA ENRG TRGY
SUBJECT:  IAEA/General Conference - NRC Bilateral Meetings 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  From September 14-17, 2009, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko participated in the IAEA 
General Conference in Vienna, Austria.  During the week, he 
conducted 20 bilateral meetings with foreign regulatory counterparts 
and members of the IAEA Secretariat.  He also served as Chairman of 
the Senior Regulators Meeting on September 17.  In addition, 
Chairman Jaczko attended several bilateral meetings conducted by 
Energy Secretary Steven Chu which will be reported septel.  Chairman 
Jaczko was accompanied by R. W. Borchardt, Executive Director for 
Operations; Margaret M. Doane, Director, Office of International 
Programs; Angela Coggins, Policy Director, Office of the Chairman; 
Scott Moore, Deputy Director, Office of International Programs; and 
Jennifer Schwartzman and Elizabeth Smiroldo, Office of International 
Programs.  Heather Astwood, the Nuclear Safety Attache at the U.S. 
Mission in Vienna, also provided support to the delegation. Chairman 
Jaczko, Bill Borchardt and Margaret Doane participated in a 
roundtable discussion with senior-level U.S. government and industry 
representatives, organized by the Department of Commerce on 
September 14. 
 
¶2. (U) During his bilateral meetings, Chairman Jaczko consistently 
emphasized the importance of a strong senior regulatory presence at 
the General Conference, integrated into the activities of the 
conference itself in close coordination with other government 
agencies.  He also noted radioactive source safety and security is a 
particularly important issue to him.  In addition, he stressed that 
close attention must be paid to the existing fleet of operating 
reactors worldwide even as much of the global focus turns toward new 
reactor designs and new nuclear power programs. 
 
(U) Part 1 septel covers bilateral meetings with senior IAEA 
officials and DG-designate Amano, the Senior Regulators meeting and 
side-meetings at the IAEA General Conference.  This message, Part 2, 
covers bilateral meetings with the following countries:  France, 
Canada, Sweden, China, Spain, India, Pakistan, Japan, Argentina, 
Hungary, Netherlands, Brazil, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Romania, and 
Greece.  END SUMMARY. 
 
FRANCE 
------ 
¶3. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Mr. Andre-Claude Lacoste, 
President of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).  Lacoste 
began by noting the successful Multinational Design Evaluation 
Program (MDEP) workshop held in Paris just prior to the IAEA General 
Conference.  He then highlighted the many examples of NRC-ASN 
cooperation throughout the years.  Both sides agreed that the high 
degree of cooperation should be maintained.  Further, Lacoste 
expressed interest in having an informal twice-yearly meeting on 
technical topics between himself and the Chairman.  He noted that 
France receives many requests for assistance from emerging nuclear 
countries, but that determining which countries are truly serious 
has been difficult.  Chairman Jaczko responded that some at the IAEA 
have a clearer understanding of which countries are most likely to 
start nuclear programs, and agreed that there is a limit to what 
countries like France and the U.S. can do to help.  He asked Lacoste 
about the European Commission's (EC) involvement, and if emerging 
countries go through that entity for nuclear assistance.  Lacoste 
explained that the EC formerly focused its resources on assisting 
countries in Eastern Europe; but now, since most of those nations 
have joined the European Union, political issues have focused EC 
resources on other countries often located outside of Europe, such 
as Egypt and Jordan. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Mr. Lacoste expressed his frustration with the imbalance in 
emphasis on promotion of nuclear energy vs. nuclear safety, 
including within the IAEA.  Chairman Jaczko agreed that this is an 
important issue.  He suggested moving the Senior Regulators meeting 
to earlier in the IAEA General Conference as a way of highlighting 
regulatory aspects.  The Chairman continued by inquiring how Lacoste 
thinks safety can be emphasized in Vienna, in light of IAEA's focus 
not only on new entrants, but also on non-proliferation.  Lacoste 
shared the Chairman's view and expressed an interest in joining 
forces in order to bring emphasis to the Agency's safety roles.  He 
suggested one way to do so would be to look at quality and 
consistency and emphasize safety in IAEA documents.  Regarding 
radioactive sources, Lacoste stated that there is a need to learn 
which organizations within cooperating countries are responsible for 
source security since there is currently widespread uncertainty on 
this matter, and to understand how these countries are carrying out 
their responsibilities. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko asked about the status of France's 
Generation IV reactor endeavours.  Lacoste responded that although 
regulators should establish regulations for these experimental 
reactors, it was inherently difficult because, in Mr. Lacoste's 
words, "we don't even know about the design they're working on," 
which is incongruous with key objectives of establishing a design's 
"1) inspectability and 2) maintainability."  With respect to fast 
breeder reactors, France's nuclear safety authority (ASN)is 
currently trying to collect institutional memory based on France's 
past experience with these Generation IV designs.  Its Phoenix 
experimental fast breeder reactor was shut down independent of a 
potential restart on September 12, 2009, due to safety issues 
pertaining to old welding.  Lacoste also mentioned ASN's 
collaboration with Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency 
(NISA) on Generation IV reactors.  The Chairman noted that while the 
U.S. does not have a strong interest in sodium-cooled reactors at 
the moment, if interest increases in the future the U.S. may need to 
request information from France on this subject. 
 
CANADA 
------ 
¶6. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Terry Jamieson, Vice President for 
Technical Support with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 
(CNSC).  Referring to the two agreements between CNSC and NRC, 
Chairman Jaczko highlighted the close relationship between the two 
countries, particularly on radioactive source security.  He further 
acknowledged that the agreement NRC signed with the Brazilian 
Nuclear Energy Commission earlier in the IAEA 2009 General 
Conference was modelled on a similar agreement between Canada and 
Brazil.  Mr. Jamieson noted that Romania also seeks to cooperate 
with Canada on the issue of source security. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Regarding the Chalk River National Research Universal 
Reactor (NRU), which experienced an unplanned shutdown in May 2009 
that has resulted in a worldwide shortage of the medical isotope 
Mo-99, Jamieson explained the safety issues behind the shutdown. 
Non-destructive testing and other procedures (which required 
complete defueling to implement) revealed a need to repair welds in 
the vessel not only at the leak site but 30 feet down.  These 
repairs are scheduled to begin in approximately one month.  CNSC 
wants to ensure that no corners are cut and that the repairs and 
welds applied are up to American Society Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 
codes; moreover, they want to determine the root cause of the event 
and gain lessons learned.  Repair protocols have been signed by all 
relevant agencies, and commission-level approval will be needed for 
formal disposition of the repair.  The reactor can only be refueled 
and restarted after all repairs are made and proper approvals are 
obtained.  Jamieso stated that the restart is expected during the 
irst quarter of 2010.  Chairman Jaczko noted that tere is pressure 
for a new alternative to producing these materials in light of the 
situation, but stated that it is important to work "the right way" 
to get the safety issue resolved, and only then follow with an 
alternative. 
 
¶8. (SBU) NRC EDO William Borchardt inquired about the spotlight on 
regulatory independence.  Mr. Jamieson said that while it is 
important, "we can't be isolated from government. We're trying to 
communicate expectations, but not be influenced by the government of 
the day."  Chairman Jaczko noted that the NRC functions a bit 
differently from CNSC in this regard, but is subject to oversight 
from the U.S. Congress.  Borchardt also asked if the Canadians had 
any advice on hosting an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) 
meeting based on their recent experience.  The Canadians responded 
that they created a 350 page book containing processes, technical 
details, reporting information, etc., which proved invaluable. 
Significant preparatory work, a series of introductory talks, and 
formal efforts to stay on track also helped. 
 
SWEDEN 
------ 
¶9. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Ann-Louise Eksborg, Director 
General of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SRSA).  She was 
accompanied by Leif Moberg, Director of SRSA's Department of 
International Affairs.  Eksborg noted SRSA's increased role within 
the EU under Sweden's EU Presidency.  She stated that the SRSA, 
which was formed through a merger of two existing regulatory bodies, 
is continuing to grow and adapt to being a new, merged agency.  She 
noted that an influx of new staff, which did not have experience at 
either previous agency, has helped foster a new culture and a 
holistic approach to regulation that has helped the merger go more 
smoothly than expected.  In the area of waste management and 
disposal, Ms. Eksborg noted that a repository site has been chosen 
by Swedish industry and the SRSA expects an application by next 
year.  She noted that the repository would be for domestic waste 
only.  Chairman Jaczko inquired as to whether the U.S. 
Administration's policy change on Yucca Mountain could impact 
progress on a Swedish repository.  Eksborg indicated that she did 
not believe this would be the case because the general public does 
not follow the Yucca Mountain issue the way the nuclear industry 
does.  She noted that other factors could change the public's mind, 
including a nuclear-related accident elsewhere in the world, but for 
now public acceptance was high.  She also indicated that there is 
still a legal ban on the construction of new reactors in Sweden but 
that the current government has agreed to lift it, provided that no 
more than ten reactors are operating in Sweden at any given time. 
The Swedish government is working to conclude legislation to this 
effect before the 2010 election, when a strong opposition that does 
not support nuclear power could inhibit its passage.  Eksborg noted 
that although SRSA is technically prepared to review new designs, it 
cannot build up the staff to do so until the legislation is passed. 
 
CHINA 
----- 
¶10. (SBU) OIP Director Margaret Doane and EDO Director William 
Borchardt met with Mr. Jiang Wei, Deputy Director General for 
International Nuclear Safety Cooperation, of the Chinese National 
Nuclear Safety Administration.  The discussion focused on the 
upcoming Organizational Meeting for the Fifth Review Meeting of the 
Convention on Nuclear Safety, for which China is seeking the 
Presidency (with candidacy of Vice Minister Li Ganjie) and the 
United States is seeking a Vice President position (for Bill 
Borchardt).  Jiang explained that China may face a problem because 
the Review Meeting is two weeks in length and Vice Minister Li would 
need Party approval to be out of the country for a meeting of that 
duration, which cannot be granted until closer to the meeting itself 
in the spring of 2011.  The IAEA Secretariat had explained to the 
NRC delegation that the elections held at the Organizational Meeting 
are intended to elect particular individuals, not countries in 
general, such that if Vice Minister Li was elected and unable to 
serve his term as President of the Fifth Review Meeting, the title 
would pass to Borchardt as Vice President, not to another Chinese 
representative.  It was agreed that China would move forward with 
pursuing the Presidency and determine if Party approval would pose a 
concern later on.  In addition, the U.S. decided to nominate the 
Chinese candidate for the Presidency. 
 
SPAIN 
----- 
¶11. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Carmen Martinez-Ten, President of 
the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear, 
CSN).  Martinez-Ten began by highlighting past cooperation between 
NRC and CSN, and expressed her appreciation that NRC had accepted a 
Spanish assignee to work in NRC's Office of Nuclear Security and 
Incident Response, noting that security is very important to Spain. 
She also thanked the agency for accepting an upcoming assignee who 
will be involved in spent fuel and high level waste management. 
Martinez-Ten then proceeded to describe a Spanish project that has 
been proposed for a high-level waste repository, but noted that 
politically, it might not be possible.  Chairman Jaczko responded 
that NRC was happy to provide information based on its own 
experience with waste repositories. 
 
¶12. (SBU) Ms. Martinez-Ten noted that CSN had conducted a study on 
the safety culture of its Reactor Oversight Process (ROP).  She said 
that while it was difficult to put forward, CSN had prepared the 
conceptual documents and recently sent them to its licensees for 
comment.  Chairman Jaczko responded that he would be interested in 
hearing more about CSN's findings, noting that safety culture is 
already reflected in NRC's Reactor Oversight Process, as inspection 
findings have shown.  Martinez-Ten turned to the subject of 
transparency and public information, noting that in Spain, there has 
been strong opposition to nuclear energy.  In its efforts to inform 
the public, Ms. Martinez-Ten noted that her agency recently released 
a legal instrument for public comment, and used examples from NRC to 
develop an appropriate strategy to explain the information to the 
public.  This strategy has proven successful.  Now CSN seeks to 
reach out to schools and universities.  Martinez-Ten concluded that 
CSN "can learn a lot from NRC's experience."  Chairman Jaczko 
responded that the more NRC can help other countries, the better; 
and that more information on this issue can always be provided.  Ms. 
Martinez-Ten said it would certainly be helpful, especially in 
reaching out to parties (such as vendors) who are not easily 
convinced. 
 
¶13. (SBU) The discussion also covered other aspects of cooperation. 
Ms. Martinez-Ten described CSN's cooperative efforts with other 
Latin American nations, as well as its work with several North 
African countries on issues such as transport.  Regarding 
cooperation on radioactive sources, she mentioned that the 
International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) was interested 
in increasing dialogue on this issue.  She noted that this was a 
good time for reflection, and agreed with Chairman Jaczko's 
assertion that it was important to take steps to improve the role of 
regulators in the IAEA General Conference. 
 
INDIA 
----- 
¶14. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with S. K. Sharma, Chairman of the 
Atomic Energy Review Board of India.  DCM accompanied the Chairman 
to the meeting.  Mr. Sharma provided an overview of India's current 
nuclear activities.  There are 17 operating power reactors in India 
and six under construction, two of which are VVER-1000s.  For these, 
India has worked closely with Russia to exchange information. 
Sharma indicated that the Russian regulatory body, Rostekhnadzor, 
would be convening a seminar in the near future to discuss 
commissioning of VVERs around the world, with a focus on China and 
Bushehr in Iran.  The goal of the meeting would be to discuss 
current challenges to inform future construction in India and 
elsewhere.  Sharma also indicated that AERB recently received 
another application to build four additional VVERs, which is 
currently under review.  Among others, there is a prototype 
fast-breeder reactor under construction.  India also continues to 
work on its indigenous reactor design.  There is a site selected for 
a European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) but AERB has not yet received 
the application because the industry does not yet own the land.  In 
the existing fleet, the 540 MW pressurized heavy water reactors 
(CANDU design) were upgraded to 700 MW.  Sharma also raised the 
issue of digital instrumentation and control, noting that it is an 
area many countries are addressing.  He suggested convening an 
international forum to share information on this issue.  He 
expressed great appreciation for NRC's accommodation of a 
regulators' exchange program with AERB and expressed a strong desire 
to send additional Indian participants.  Finally, Sharma invited 
Chairman Jaczko to visit India. 
 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
¶15. (SBU) OIP Director Margaret Doane and EDO Borchardt met with 
Mohammad Shakilur Rahman, Executive Member of the Pakistan Nuclear 
Regulatory Authority (PNRA).  Rahman noted that Pakistan is moving 
forward with plans to build Chashma Units 3 and 4, with assistance 
from China.  The design and size (approximately 300 MW each, as 
China is not willing to go higher) have been established.  Both 
sides agreed that since plant construction will soon take place in 
Pakistan, this would be a good area for information exchange whereby 
the U.S. could learn from Pakistan's experience (since the U.S. has 
not started any new construction yet).  Rahman noted that Pakistan 
has had problems in recent years with energy supply, particularly 
from hydro and gas, and contended that insufficient energy leads to 
insufficient industry and unemployment, which in turn contribute to 
extremism.  He expressed his interest in continued, increased 
cooperation with NRC, and was pleased to learn that video 
conferencing may be used as a tool toward this end.  The U.S. side 
provided a brief overview of the technical topics NRC is currently 
addressing, including submerged piping and power reactor transformer 
failure issues. 
 
¶16. (SBU) Referring to a recent article in Nucleonics Week, the 
Pakistani side noted its concern that China has only recently 
started using American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 
standards.  Pakistan is seeking safety assurances in light of this, 
specifically on equipment including the reactor vessel supplied by 
China in the past.  Regarding source controls, the Pakistanis have a 
mature program which follows IAEA's classification scheme.  Category 
I requirements are especially stringent and became a concern in 
recent years because sources are not housed in robust structures, 
but in public facilities, such as hospitals.  For this reason PNRA 
has required enhanced control over sources.  Facilities such as 
hospitals use cameras throughout the buildings, and place sources so 
that they will be difficult for unauthorized individuals to easily 
tamper with or remove.  There was one lost source, but it was 
reported according to required procedures.  With regard to 
export/import controls, the PNRA will not provide an import license 
for radioactive sources unless the supplier agrees to take it back 
after its useful life. 
 
JAPAN 
----- 
¶17. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with representatives from the Nuclear 
and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), including Koichiro Nakamura, 
Deputy Director General for Safety Examination; Kentaro Morita, 
Director, International Affairs Office; and Aya Ishimi, Assistant 
Director, International Affairs Office.  In addition, 
representatives from the Nuclear Safety Division of the Ministry of 
Education, Sports, Science, and Technology participated, including 
Dr. Itaru Watanabe, Senior Deputy Director General, Science and 
Technology Policy Bureau; Dr. Kenya Suyama, Director, Office of 
International Relations, Science and Technology Policy Bureau; and 
Masaru Shigeyama, Inspector/Coordinator for Inspectors, Safeguards 
Office.  At the start of the meeting, both sides agreed that having 
an updated NISA-NRC arrangement in place was essential to ensuring 
continued, adequate cooperation (the NISA-NRC Arrangement lapsed in 
2007).  Nakamura then mentioned recent fruitful cooperation between 
NRC and NISA on digital instrumentation and controls (I and C). 
Chairman Jaczko recalled a previous reactor site visit in Japan 
where he personally witnessed Japan's highly advanced digital I and 
C systems, noting that there is much that the U.S. can learn from 
Japan's experience in this area.  The Chairman then inquired about 
the status of the Monju fast breeder reactor prototype.  Nakamura 
responded that he understands it will be restarted before March 
2010, noting that NISA reviews safety for Monju, including seismic 
safety.  Chairman Jaczko expressed his thanks to NISA for briefings 
provided to NRC on seismic issues. 
 
¶18. (SBU) Moving on to the topic of new reactors, the Chairman noted 
that NRC is moving forward with new applications, and that NRC's 
cooperation with Japan through MDEP has worked well.  Nakamura noted 
that the Japanese have been working on new guidance documentation. 
As part of its research, NISA recently sent NRC some questionnaires 
on low quantity and naturally occurring radioactive materials, but 
had not yet heard back from NRC.  The Chairman responded with 
information about the complexities of the NRC's guidance regarding 
these materials in light of jurisdictional and legal issues, and 
said that the staff would follow up.  NISA is also conducting safety 
assessment reviews for new reactor designs, covering such areas as 
accidents and stakeholder communication.  The Chairman cited his 
participation in a Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) conference in Japan 
on Openness and Communication, highlighting the influence of local 
communities.  The Japanese side also pointed to human resources as a 
good area for information exchange, and welcomed information 
exchange with the NRC on the ABWR design.  Chairman Jaczko agreed 
that this information was very important, thereby underscoring the 
need to complete the NISA-NRC arrangement.  Nakamura concluded by 
noting that although a new Prime Minister had just been sworn into 
office in Japan, that NISA's nuclear safety emphasis would not 
change. 
 
ARGENTINA 
--------- 
¶19. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Dr. Raul Racana, Chairman of the 
Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN).  He was accompanied by 
Gabriel Terigi, Head of the Nuclear Affairs and Institutional 
Communication Department; Sonia Fernandez Moreno of the same 
department, and Pablo Zunino Head of the Nuclear Affairs Division. 
Dr. Racana indicated that plans were moving forward to complete and 
start up Atucha II, the Siemens pressurized heavy water reactor on 
which construction began nearly 30 years ago but was halted due to 
funding shortages.  He also requested additional cooperation with 
NRC in the area of life extension for Argentina's two operating 
reactors.  In addition, Racana discussed security issues, explaining 
that security is under ARN's jurisdiction and is a high priority, 
particularly in the radioactive source area.  He emphasized his 
belief that safety and security must be integrated so that one does 
not adversely affect the other.  In particular, he discussed a drill 
conducted in Argentina simulating the theft of a radioactive source. 
 The ARN and Argentine police worked together, and Dr. Racana noted 
that each brought expertise to the exercise that the other does not 
possess.  He stated that not all countries share the view that a 
safety/security interface is important, but that he had written a 
paper for the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) in support 
of it. 
 
HUNGARY 
------- 
¶20. (SBU) On September 16, Chairman Jaczko met with Joszef Ronaky, 
Chairman of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Agency (HAEA). After 
congratulating the Chairman on his appointment and providing him 
with an open invitation to visit Hungary, Dr. Ronaky reviewed the 
status of HAEA's programs.  Recent activities have included major 
power uprates from approximately 440 MW to 500 MW on all four of its 
units, along with a decision to extend established plant life of 30 
years by 20 more years through a license extension process 
(Hungarian plant licenses are slated to expire in 2012).  Ronaky 
noted that in moving forward with life extension plans, HAEA has 
drawn heavily from the NRC's license renewal experience, referring 
to it as a "key factor" in its progress.   Turning to the subject of 
new reactors, Dr. Ronaky noted that in march 2009 the Parliament 
almost unanimously approved a decision in principle to construct a 
nuclear power plant (on the Paks site, where Hungary's four current 
units are located).  He stated Hungary needs to review its law to 
make it "smoother"; moreover, the HAEA is not prepared for a full 
design review and seeks cooperation from international counterparts 
in this area.  Referencing the September 2009 Multinational Design 
Evaluation Program meeting in Paris, Chairman Jaczko noted that 
discussions took place regarding ways to facilitate information 
sharing, such as through the creation of an electronic library.  The 
Chairman asserted that such an electronic library should be 
available to more countries, since "we learn from countries that are 
reviewing the same designs as us."  The Hungarian side pointed out 
that they would be building a pressurized water reactor of design as 
yet to be determined, and that they were interested in discussing 
more specific details pertaining to the AP1000, preferably soon. 
Chairman Jaczko stated that the NRC would be happy to provide 
information in a timely fashion through bilateral channels. 
 
NETHERLANDS 
----------- 
¶21. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with representatives from the Dutch 
Nuclear Safety Department (KFD), including Dr. Piet J.W.M. Muskens, 
Director; and Michel L.H. Deelen, Deputy Head. Dr. Muskens opened by 
highlighting the good contacts between NRC and KFD, and stated his 
belief that both countries have a special responsibility for 
safeguards.  When asked by Chairman Jaczko if the Netherlands has 
made decisions to move forward with plant construction, Dr. Muskens 
noted that a recent change in political leadership in The 
Netherlands has not affected the will to build reactors which can be 
used to produce medical isotopes.  He also expressed his view that 
old reactors need to be replaced.  The Netherlands' Petten research 
reactor (used to produce isotopes) is now in semi-operation, "not 
unsafe, but not as safe as it could be," according to Dr. Muskens. 
IAEA will do an assessment by the end of the year, and a decision 
will be made about needed repairs, and, moreover, whether or not 
Petten will need to be shut down.  Dr. Muskens further contended 
that if the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG) raised 
adequate funds, it would probably construct a new reactor to produce 
isotopes.  The Chairman noted that in the U.S., several reactor 
licensees were considering producing medical isotopes; but if such a 
decision were taken, production would not be feasible for at least 
one year.  He further asserted that despite the shortage of Moly-99, 
the margins of patient care must be preserved, and expressed his 
appreciation for KFD's cooperation on this matter.  A discussion 
followed on ongoing technical issues pertaining to low enriched 
uranium vs. highly enriched uranium targets used in isotope 
production.  Both sides agreed that it is important to maintain 
channels of communication with regard these and other issues, with 
Dr. Muskens noting that, "If there are opportunities, we'll knock on 
your door, and same with you." 
- 
¶22. (SBU) Muskens advised that the power reactor at Borssele could 
stay open for 20 more years, and that more personnel are being 
hired.  He then inquired about U.S. plans for spent fuel disposal in 
a final repository vs. interim storage for 100 years until a better 
solution could be reached.  The Chairman responded with information 
about the Obama administration's decision not to support Yucca 
Mountain.  Muskens also asked about new reactors in the U.S., and 
Chairman Jaczko provided information on the number of construction 
and operating license (COL) applications to the NRC currently under 
review. 
 
BRAZIL 
------ 
¶23. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko's first bilateral meeting of the 
conference took place with delegates from the Brazilian Nuclear 
Energy Commission (Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear, CNEN), 
including Dr. Odair D. Goncalves, President; Marcos Nogueira 
Martins, Director of Research and Development; Dr. Sc. Maria Helena 
Marechal, General Coordinator, General Coordination of Industrial 
and Medical Facilities; and Maria Cristina Lourenco, International 
Relations Officer.  Goncalves and Chairman Jaczko signed both an 
updated version of the Administrative Agreement between NRC and 
CNEN, and a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Import and Export of 
Certain Radioactive Sources.  Dr. Goncalves noted that Brazil has 
made a policy decision to expand its nuclear power program.  Along 
with this decision, the government has plans to enhance safety 
regulation by restructuring CNEN, which is presently responsible for 
plant operation and regulation.  A new independent Brazilian Nuclear 
Regulatory Authority separate from CNEN is being planned and will 
soon be proposed to the legislature. (CNEN would continue to promote 
nuclear activities in Brazil).  U.S. technology, the AP1000, is 
among the technologies Brazil is considering for its new plants. 
Chairman Jaczko broached the subject of aging management, noting 
that Brazil conducts ten year periodic reviews of its reactors while 
the U.S. set a timeline of 40 years for license renewal purposes. 
Goncalves noted that the Brazilians are more seriously considering 
this issue; in particular, now that a new regulatory body is 
envisioned, they may take the opportunity to review the "whole 
system." 
 
SLOVENIA 
-------- 
¶24. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with delegates from the Slovenian 
Nuclear Safety Administration including Dr. Andrej Stritar, 
Director; Ales Skraban, Head of General Affairs; and Igor Grlicarev, 
Head of International Cooperation.  Asked about the future of the 
Slovenian nuclear program, Stritar responded that while Slovenia's 
previous administration proposed construction of a second reactor 
unit, there was little political support.  The current government is 
not against nuclear power, but is not taking any decisions to move 
forward with expansion, either.  Conversely, the government decided 
to build a thermal, coal-fired unit in a part of the country rich in 
coal.  Regarding the concept of global certification (which the 
Slovenians favor), the Chairman pointed out that while it would be 
difficult for the U.S. to change to such a process, a global 
certification approach could be appropriate for radioactive sources. 
 Dr. Stritar, who also serves as President for the European Nuclear 
Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), noted that there are analogous 
cooperative efforts in Europe, e.g. for transportation of 
radioactive materials, and that harmonization of radioactive waste 
regulations may be next.  Nonetheless, Stritar stated that industry 
should lead efforts toward this goal.  Stritar then discussed 
problems with difficult-to-detect radioactive scrap metal imported 
E 
into Slovenia that, once processed along with non-radioactive scrap, 
presents a difficult and expensive remediation problem.  Since there 
are no international treaties controlling the movement of scrap 
metal, and exporting countries cannot be forced to take back 
radioactive sources, Slovenian law now requires domestic companies 
to provide the physical dimensions of scrap metal in order to obtain 
a license to import it into the country.  Chairman Jaczko compared 
the situation of "homeless" radioactive material finding its way 
into scrap metal to the orphan source problem in the U.S., and 
referred to the IAEA Code of Conduct on Safety and Security of 
Radioactive Sources as a good framework toward a solution to the 
problem.  Dr. Stritar noted that U.S.-supplied portal monitors have 
been very helpful in the effort to curtail this problem.  The 
discussion then turned to radioactive waste disposal, with Dr. 
Stritar asking the Chairman about the situation with the Yucca 
Mountain repository.  Chairman Jaczko explained his understanding of 
the Obama administration's position not to move forward with the 
repository, but noted that the fuel is being stored safely in the 
meantime, and that the U.S. can use the situation as an opportunity 
to find a better solution. 
 
KAZAKHSTAN 
---------- 
¶25. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Asset Magauov, Vice Minister of 
the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources(MEMR). He was 
accompanied by Timur Zhantikin, Chairman of the Kazakh Atomic Energy 
Commission, which falls under the MEMR), and members of his staff. 
Vice Minister Magauov thanked the NRC for its assistance in 
developing Kazakhstan's nuclear regulations and requested continued 
support, noting that Kazakhstan plans to build nuclear power plants. 
 The Kazakhs have a target of 2020 for commissioning their first 
nuclear power plant; at this time, however, the government has not 
officially approved this plan.  The Vice Minister indicated that his 
government has had lengthy discussions with Russia about Russian 
reactor designs but also intends to research other designs. 
Kazakhstan is also involved in research reactor projects and has 
recently repatriated the final load of HEU from its reactor in 
Almaty; it is fully converted to LEU.  Following the bilateral 
discussion, Chairman Jaczko and Vice Minister Magauov renewed the 
NRC-MEMR[KAEC] Arrangement for Cooperation.  The Kazakh mission 
noted to NRC's delegation that the Vice Minister had travelled to 
Vienna specifically to sign this Arrangement. 
 
ROMANIA 
------- 
¶26. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko met with Borbala Vajda, President of the 
Romanian National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). 
 She was accompanied by Lucian Biro, Director General for 
Regulation, Licensing and Control of Nuclear Activities; Mihaela 
Ion, Director of the International Affairs Division; Viorel Radu, 
Director of the Ionizing Radiation Division; and Soren Repanovici of 
her staff.  Vajda indicated that Romania had recently completed 
repatriation of spent fuel from its research reactor to Russia. 
Chairman Jaczko congratulated her on this achievement.  Vajda 
thanked NRC for hosting several CNCAN staff in its foreign assignee 
program.  She noted that the Romanian government wishes to re-launch 
the country's nuclear program, which presents a great challenge for 
CNCAN.  She noted the difficulty in recruiting and retaining 
competent staff in the regulatory body and indicated that CNCAN had 
asked the Romanian government to provide incentives to retain staff. 
 At present, there are several projects under CNCAN's supervision, 
including reconstruction on Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 and the 
construction of a low- and intermediate-level waste repository. 
 
¶27. (SBU) Chairman Jaczko inquired about Romania's plans for 
high-level waste.  Ms. Vajda indicated that currently there is 
sufficient onsite storage at Cernavoda, but that in the next fifty 
years there may be greater consideration of a geological repository. 
 She noted the difficulty in finding a potential location for such a 
repository, as Romania is a small country.  In the new reactor area, 
Vajda noted that the next new nuclear plant in Romania (after 
completion of the CANDUs at Cernavoda) would be a pressurized water 
reactor (PWR)and expressed hope that NRC-CNCAN cooperation could 
increase to share NRC approaches on regulating PWRs.  Biro also 
noted that it was CNCAN's "dream" to build an emergency operations 
center in Romania modelled after NRC's, that would serve as a center 
of excellence for safety, security and radiation protection. 
Chairman Jaczko expressed NRC's willingness to cooperate closely 
with CNCAN on PWR issues and noted that the NRC's licensing process 
has changed since CNCAN had adopted parts of it.  He stated that NRC 
would provide CNCAN with information on current licensing procedures 
because they may be more comprehensive and useful.  He also noted 
NRC's interest in Romania's experience in nuclear power plant 
construction, noting that the U.S. has not had a plant under 
construction in many years.  Ms. Vajda invited Chairman Jaczko to 
visit Romania. 
 
GREECE 
------ 
¶28. (SBU) OIP Director Margaret Doane and EDO Director William 
Borchardt met with representatives of the Greek Atomic Energy 
Commission (GAEC), including Dr. Christos Housiadas, President; Dr. 
Vassiliki Kamenopoulou, Head of Licensing and Inspections Division; 
and Theodoros Matikas, Member of Board.  Dr. Housiadas opened by 
stating that the GAEC Annual Report will be released soon.  Further, 
he referenced the NRC-GAEC agreement that was extended last year, 
and stated that there is a special development for which GAEC may 
turn to the U.S. for assistance.  The Greek National Research Center 
operates a 5 MW research reactor (which was constructed decades ago 
by the U.S. firm General Atomic and licensed by the GAEC).  Now its 
management wants to embark on a major refurbishment program, for 
which licensing will be necessary.  The GAEC would welcome input, 
exchanges of ideas, and cooperation from the U.S.  Borchardt noted 
that the NRC has been revising its licensing process for research 
and test reactors.  In addition, NRC has a small staff dedicated to 
this area.  The GAEC reps were very interested to hear that an NRC 
Standard Review Plan is available, and that, according to Borchardt, 
license renewal for a research reactor was much like obtaining a 
brand new license (thus addressing concerns on the part of GAEC that 
this undertaking would involve a major refurbishment and might not 
qualify for a simple renewal).  Housiadas inquired if this effort 
could be undertaken through both the U.S. and the IAEA.  Mrs. Doane 
explained how international requests for engagement are usually 
brought to the NRC, noting that IAEA may or may not be involved. 
When Mrs. Doane inquired as to GAEC's timeframe, Housiadas responded 
that they plan to begin the process by October 1, 2009, when the 
preliminary documents on dismantlement (not yet on licensing) will 
arrive.  Borchardt suggested that the two sides start a dialogue on 
the matter by videoconference.  Housiadas also noted that Greek 
operators have been requesting codes such as RELAP 5.  Borchardt 
provided further information on engaging with the NRC Office of 
Nuclear Regulatory Research in order to obtain them, emphasizing 
that any requests should come from the regulator. 
 
DAVIES