Inaction may set atom fuel bank funds at risk: U.S.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is mulling several plans under which states would be offer with low-enriched uranium (LEU) for their civilian nuclear programs if their supply is cut and they can show a perfect non-proliferation record. U.S. President Barack Obama has backed the decades old idea but some developing states have voiced misgivings that it may border their right to set up sovereign atomic energy programs. An IAEA plan support by former Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei proposes buying 60-80 tons of LEU using $150 million in member donations and offering it to states at market prices.

The U.S has contributed $50 million to the plan. "Taken together with pledges from the Nuclear Threat Initiative and other member states, $150 million has been promise for this purpose," U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu told the IAEA annual general conference. "This offer has been extended some times and presents member states with an excellent opportunity to realize one of the founding objectives of the IAEA. These resources will be at risk if we do not achieve a decision soon."

Chu said countries should push for a resolution approving an execution plan at the next IAEA governing board meeting in December. "It is now time to move beyond general discussion and discuss of fuel bank principles," he said at the Vienna meeting. The fuel bank is seen by the U.N. nuclear agency as a way to meet demand from some 60 nations, several in the conflict-ridden Middle East, for technical help in launching atomic energy without spreading the risk of proliferation. Iran's disputed enrichment program, which the West fears is aimed at increasing atom bombs, has also helped the idea up the agenda as well after decades on the political back-burner.

Iran announces launch of latest missile

Iran announced on Friday that it had launched a fresh missile, in defiance of western concerns about its weapons and nuclear projects. Ahmad Vahidi, defence minister, said the Qiam 1 outside to surface missile had “new technical features and unique tactical capabilities”, and an improved target system. State television show footage of the rocket test but gave no details about the range of the weapon or the date and place of firing. The news came as Iran ready to activate its first nuclear power plant, due to begin operations on Saturday after more than three decades of delay.

Uranium from Russia will be used in the Bushehr plant’s reactor, which is intended to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity. The plant will properly open in September and officials hope it will start generating electricity at half capacity by late November. Ali-Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, said Bushehr’s activation was “a thorn in the eye of ill wishers” while the country was opposite “pressure and sanctions at their peak”. Iranian officials said the missile launch established the country’s determination to pursue a nuclear programme in spite of UN sanctions.

Speaking at Friday prayers in Tehran, Mr Vahidi said the sanction aimed to “keep the Islamic republic weak”. “Today, the country’s defence industry has twisted into the symbol of the defeat of the enemy’s strategies and will,” he added. Iran has already developed Shahab and Sejjil missiles, which have a variety sufficient to hit Israel and eastern Europe. Some missiles are believed to have been designed to take a nuclear warhead. Iran has faced four sets of UN sanctions for its denial to suspend uranium enrichment. Israeli and US officials believe Iran has enough fabric to make two nuclear weapons but the Islamic republic insists its enrichment is for civilian purposes only. Iranian officials keep caution of military action against the country. 

Iran to keep high-grade uranium enrichment, build more plants

Iran announced on Monday it will maintain high grade uranium enrichment and will build more uranium enrichment plants, the local satellite Press TV reported. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday announced a law to coach the government to push ahead with the ongoing 20 percent uranium enrichment, the report said. According to the law, which has previously been approved by the Majlis (Parliament) and the Guardian Council, the top legislating body of the country, the government is grateful to press ahead with the 20-percent uranium enrichment to supply and transport the fuel needed by the Tehran medical research reactor, the report said.

Currently, Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is enriching uranium to a level of 20 percent in Natanz enrichment services in central Iran which is criticized by the West. Besides, the law requires the Iranian government to cooperate with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) only within the frame of the NPT and should not fulfill demands going beyond the NPT requirements, the Press TV reported. The government, is also urged by the law to invest in different aspects of nuclear technology to bring the nation to "full nuclear independence," according to the report.

In the meantime, Head of the Atomic Energy association of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said that Tehran will begin constructing another uranium enrichment plant by early 2011, the state IRIB TV reported on Monday. "Studies for the place of 10 uranium enrichment facilities have ended," Salehi said, adding "the construction of one of these services will begin by the end of the (current Iranian) year ( that ended in March 2011) or start of next (Iranian) year." Currently, Iran's Natanz enrichment ability is enriching uranium to a level of 20 percent and another facility around Qom, Fordo, is under construction. Iran had said on Sunday it will not stop its nuclear fuel enrichment activities although Russia would provide it with the nuclear fuel needed to run its Bushehr nuclear power plant.