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Australia close to selling uranium to Russia

Labor MP Kelvin Thomson, who chairs the treaties committee, had previously warned that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would not care about Australia’s attitude to the safeguards. The committee was concerning lack of inspections onto Russian nuclear facilities by the Internatinoal Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Australia is edging close to sell uranium to Russia, International Business Times, 19 March 2010, The federal government is closed to ratifying the Howard-era treaty with Russia.

The agreement was made in 2007 and would boost Australia’s export revenue by up to $1 billion a year. The agreement was halted immediately after Rudd government was elected as Russia’s invasion of Georgia provoked international outrage.

Australia-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was released yesterday. The government is confident that Australian uranium would not be diverted to weapons programmes, the treaty was strong enough to prevent problems.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said the treaty provides appropriate safeguards for the supply of Australian uranium for use in Russia’s civil nuclear sector. The uranium could only be used for peaceful purpose and only in facilities approved by Australia……

Labor MP Kelvin Thomson, who chairs the treaties committee, had previously warned that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would not care about Australia’s attitude to the safeguards. The committee was concerning lack of inspections onto Russian nuclear facilities by the Internatinoal Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Australia is edging close to sell uranium to Russia – International Business Times

March 19, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, radioactive, uranium