Diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks disclose abysmal safety and security values in the African uranium mining industry, analysts say. Cables expose U.S. diplomats in a number of African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Burundi and others, report the worst safety and security standards in those countries' uranium and nuclear facilities, Inter Press Service report Sunday. The cables also reveal the alleged participation of European, Chinese, Indian and South Korean companies in the unlawful taking out and smuggling of uranium from Africa.
Uranium import from African countries is used by most European reactors. At CREN-K, a nuclear research center in the DRC, "outside and internal security is poor, leaving the ability vulnerable to theft," Roger A. Meece, U.S. ambassador to DRC, report in a 2006 cable. "Once inside the facility, no one controls the entry to the nuclear reactor, although a key is necessary to enter the room," Meece wrote. "The fuel rod storage room, where the nine idle fuel rods are stored, was not locked, and the fuel rods are not kept in a divide locked container," he reported. The cable said that large levels of radioactivity have been calculated in numerous regions of the DRC.
Uranium import from African countries is used by most European reactors. At CREN-K, a nuclear research center in the DRC, "outside and internal security is poor, leaving the ability vulnerable to theft," Roger A. Meece, U.S. ambassador to DRC, report in a 2006 cable. "Once inside the facility, no one controls the entry to the nuclear reactor, although a key is necessary to enter the room," Meece wrote. "The fuel rod storage room, where the nine idle fuel rods are stored, was not locked, and the fuel rods are not kept in a divide locked container," he reported. The cable said that large levels of radioactivity have been calculated in numerous regions of the DRC.
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