6 Arab countries announce plans for nuclear programs

[Al-khiyal]

July 12, 2007 -- France and Algeria are discussing co-operation in the civil nuclear field as the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, attempts to give life to his ambition for a union of Mediterranean countries.

As part of his efforts to improve his country's long and often complicated relationship with Algeria, President Sarkozy has indicated he is willing to share French civil nuclear expertise. This was a key element of discussion with Algeria's president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who met Mr Sarkozy on the first stop in his North African tour this week.

Talks are focused on the sharing of technology and research, according to nuclear industry sources. There is also the possibility of training Algerian engineers in France, home to Europe's biggest nuclear power operator EDF, and the world's biggest nuclear power group, Areva. Talks have not yet extended to exploring commercial projects, such as the construction of a power station.

Mr Sarkozy went to Algeria and Tunisia to promote his idea of a so-called "Mediterranean Union" between southern European countries and their North African neighbours.

The president hopes such a union could help to address the controversial issue of Turkey's potential EU membership, as well as resolve Europe's pressing energy concerns.

Algeria, which has the world's eighth largest proven gas reserves, is a leading gas exporter and is critical to the European market, providing about 13 per cent of the continent's total gas consumption.

However, despite its rich resources, it is already considering its post-fossil fuel future. Last month it signed a co-operation agreement with the US to explore possible common projects in the field of civil nuclear technology.

Algeria has not yet decided to launch a nuclear programme but in a recent interview with the Financial Times, the country's energy minister said it was under consideration.

"Algeria has uranium resources and also research facilities," said Chakib Khelil. "We are looking for any partners who can help us develop. So we don't exclude nuclear power, it's an option in the long term, so we are working on it."

Mr Khelil said agreements on nuclear power would be characterised not by investment but "more by what the partner will bring in terms of management know-how [and] in terms of markets".

President Sarkozy said this week he would return to Algeria in November when he hoped to announce a wider accord on energy. That would almost certainly include extending existing commercial agreements in the realm of oil and gas.

Mr Sarkozy has been pushing the idea of a closer relationship between the Algerian state-owned oil and gas giant Sonatrach and France's government-owned Gaz de France, currently awaiting the government's verdict on its proposed merger with Suez.

The Algerian government has so far dismissed the suggestion of an equity link, but this position might soften in light of the French nuclear gesture.

Paris and Algiers discuss nuclear power

[Al-khiyal]

PARIS, July 21, 2007 — The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a round of official talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday.

The talks focused on avenues to develop and expand the already strong relations and cooperation between the two countries at all levels.

Shaikh Khalifa and Sarkozy also exchanged views on the latest Arab, regional and international developments and issues.

During yesterday’s talks, the UAE and France agreed on putting into effect their 1980 agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear technology in order to enable the UAE to produce electricity from nuclear energy.

“The French president announced France’s preparedness to help the UAE launch a civilian nuclear programme to produce electricity. Relevant committees will soon be set up to discuss these matters,” Elysee spokesman David Martinon said in a statement after the conclusion of talks yesterday between Shaikh Khalifa and President Sarkozy.

Present at the meeting were UAE Minister of Presidential Affairs Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Economy Shaikha Lubna Al Qassimi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Chief of Executive Affairs Authority Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, and UAE Ambassador to france Saif bin Mubarak Al Ariani.

Also present from the French side were MInister of Economy, Finance and Employment Christine Lagarde, Minister of Culture, Communication, government spokesman Christine Albanel and French Ambassador to the UAE Patrice Paoli.

Welcoming Shaikh Khalifa and members of the accompanying delegation, the French president expressed his happiness over the current visit which is within the framework of trust and strong friendly relations between the two countries.

Sarkozy emphasised his country’s interest in relations with the UAE as well as its keenness on developing expanding them in all areas. He also expressed satisfaction over the growth of relations between the two countries over the last few decades.

Shaikh Khalifa congratulated President Sarkozy on his election victory and on France’s National Day. He also expressed happiness over his visit and meeting with President Sarkozy.

Shaikh Khalifa noted the strong bilateral cooperation between UAE and France. He underscored the UAE’s keenness on further expanding and developing them in various areas. Shaikh Khalifa expressed satisfaction at the phenomenal progress of the cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries. He cited the university Paris-Sorbonne (PSU) — Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum and the plan to establish French high schools in the UAE as examples which embody the highest academic and cultural exchange and enrich global cultural rapprochement.

Talks between Shaikh Khalifa and Sarkozy also took in a number of strategic issues related to the expansion of relations between their two countries in the areas of economy, trade, investment, culture, oil and technology.

The UAE and France expressed satisfaction at the growth of their strategic and military relations. They expressed keenness on further deepening their existing partnerships in the best interest of the two countries and peoples.

Today’s talks between Shaikh Khalifa and Sarkozy also took in the latest development in the Middle East, regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as regional and international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. In this regard, Shaikh Khalifa underlined holding the international conference which US President George W. Bush called for to help restart Middle East peace talks to eventually reach a just and permanent settlement that would enhance regional stability, come up with a permanent solution to put an end to the sufferings of the Palestinian people and Israel’s occupation of Arab lands based on the Arab peace initiative. “A just and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue is the key to solve most of the problems that the Middle East is riddled with,” Shaikh Khalifa stressed.

Shaikh Khalifa and Sarkozy expressed their support to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and President Mahmoud Abbas. Shaikh Khalifa expressed appreciation of and support for the French initiative to facilitate dialogue among Lebanese parties. He expressed appreciation of the French president’s initiative to boost cooperation between the European Union and the neighbouring Mediterranean countries. Shaikh Khalifa officially invited President Sarkozy to visit the UAE. Sarkozy accepted the invitation to visit the UAE at a time which is to be decided later.

“Shaikh Khalifa and President Sarkozy expressed utmost satisfaction at the distinguished relations between the UAE and France,” Elysee spokesman David Martinon said.

“President Sarkozy renewed France’s commitment to the implementation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum mega project which is a clear manifestation of the richness of cultural and academic relations between the two countries,” he added. President Sarkozy thanked President Shaikh Khalifa for his personal support for the establishment and development of Lycee Louis Massignon French language school in Abu Dhabi. He further hailed the existing educational projects in the UAE,” said Martinon.

President Sarkozy expressed the readiness of big French companies to launch UAE operatations, particularly in water, oil and gas sectors. Sarkozy stressed his country’s utmost commitment to the defence treaty between the UAE and France in 1980, describing the UAE-France bilateral relations as constructive and strong.

“Talks on a number of big cooperation projects between UAE and France will be further boosted in the coming months,” noted the Elysee spokesman.

France to help UAE launch civilian nuclear programme

[Al-khiyal]

July 27, 2007 -- As Algeria emerges from over a decade of internecine bloodshed, prospects are growing for the significant expansion of the country's secretive nuclear program, which many analysts believe was formed with the specific intention of creating a nuclear weapons capacity.

With world attention focused on the Iranian program, nuclear powers are jostling for lucrative nuclear contracts as the shackles on atomic development imposed by the US over proliferation concerns are broken.

In 1982, Algeria announced its intention to build an atomic program capable of supplying up to 10 percent of the country's energy needs, despite the country's abundant oil and gas reserves.

A secret deal was signed with China in 1983 for the fabrication of the 15MW Es Salam reactor at Ain Oussera, around 270 kilometers south of the capital Algiers. The reactor came on line in 1993, while the site also houses a related research facility.

There have been concerns since the early 1990s that the ancillary facility may have been utilized in the small-scale separation of plutonium from spent reactor fuel.

A confidential report by Spain's Cesid intelligence agency, leaked to El Pais in August 1998, claimed that within two years the reactor would be capable of producing up to 3 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium per year - enough for at least one nuclear weapon per annum.

A Federation of American Scientists (FAS) study notes that the deployment of a Sa-5 anti-missile battery near Ain Oussera at the time of its discovery is "a key indicator of the military nature of this site."

The existence of the facility was uncovered by US intelligence agencies in 1991. Under strong US pressure, Algeria signed an IAEA safeguards agreement in 1992 and became a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) member in 1995.

A second 1MW, Argentine-built research reactor is situated at Druria, 20km south of Algiers.

The government says that the reactors are used for research, including studies on desalination and food preservation, while critics counter that the 15MW capacity of the Es Salam reactor is far beyond that needed for scientific research purposes.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of the Ain Oussera site found that the Algerian authorities had failed to declare several liters of heavy water, 3 kilograms of enriched uranium and several pellets of natural uranium supplied by China. However, the inspections have found little evidence of a weapons program.

The military appears to have made a decision - likely under significant US pressure - at some point not to push ahead with moves towards a nuclear weapons' capacity.

However, in light of current tensions, Algeria appears determined to at least build a technological capacity and knowledge-base for a future reappraisal in the event of a regional nuclear arms race.

Algeria's primary ally, the US, appears to be best positioned to snare major future atomic contracts after signing a 9 June protocol on future civilian nuclear cooperation.

Russia and Algeria also signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear development in January. Russia seems set to parlay recent agreements to coordinate exploration, production and marketing for Algeria's underdeveloped oil and natural gas fields into future deals on joint atomic projects.

France has reportedly rejected a similar partnership deal due to reservations concerning the future expansion of the Algerian program.

Nevertheless, French energy giant Areva has won a series of Algerian electricity infrastructure fabrication deals in recent years and is likely to be a strong contender in a bidding war for future reactor deals.

In 2006, South Korean and Algerian officials held discussions on nuclear cooperation as the former sought to swap its nuclear know-how and technologies for access to Algeria's carbon reserves.

It is unclear what role current atomic partner China will play in any expansion of the Algerian nuclear program, though its continued involvement in activities at Ain Oussera can be expected.

The Algerian atomic energy agency, Comena, appears well-positioned to play competing atomic suitors off against each other but is likely to give the more lucrative contracts to the US after encouraging a bidding war to push down reactor costs and win commitments to the underwriting of the same.

The Algerian government has yet to elaborate on these plans, but the World Nuclear Association (WNA) notes it has established a two-decade framework for building a nuclear generation capacity.

In announcing his country's plans for a nuclear energy program on 25 November, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Shakib Khalil said the expanded program would utilize Algeria's substantial uranium deposits.

Algeria is linking arms with other Non-Aligned Movement states to oppose IAEA-backed US and Russian moves to control and delimit global nuclear fuel supplies and reprocessing activities. It has also expressed strong support for Iran's right to atomic development.

According to a BBC report, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered support for the Algerian program during a visit by Khelil to Tehran three days after the nuclear announcement. The Algerian minister responded that Algeria "is very interested in Iranian expertise in various fields, especially in oil, gas and nuclear energy."

The US will be keen to prevent the extension of Iranian influence into North Africa and the development of an autonomous Algerian uranium enrichment and fuel reprocessing capacity.

In December last year, Khelil established a security watchdog for monitoring nuclear stations and the use and burial of atomic waste, in an indication that the US is unhappy with established safety mechanisms.

The security of Algerian nuclear facilities is a subject of concern following a series of insurgent bombings this year, including attacks on army barracks and police; a government office in Algiers; and the first assassination strike in years against a high-level government official.

The largest remaining Islamic insurgent movement, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), appears to be undergoing something of a resurgence.

The group now styles itself the al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, though its actual operational links to international al-Qaida are believed to be tenuous at best. However, the movement has signaled its intentions to follow al-Qaida-linked groups in other regional states in targeting oil and gas facilities crucial to the national economy. Two buses carrying oil workers were attacked on 11 December 2006.

Potentially devastating attacks on nuclear facilities could cause even greater embarrassment to the government while encouraging investors and potential atomic partners to shy away from Algeria.

It is clear that the Algerian government's growing interest in nuclear energy and its decision to actively seek international atomic partnerships are key factors driving the Tunisian, Libyan and Moroccan decisions to study the possibilities for their own nuclear energy programs.

Libya and Tunisia signed nuclear cooperation deals with France in 2006, with the Tunisians planning the fabrication of a 600MW plant for electricity and desalination.

WNA reports that Russia's Atomstroiexport is already involved in feasibility studies for a nuclear power reactor to be built in neighbor and rival Morocco by 2016-17.

Algerian nuclear activities are also both influenced by and are a secondary motivating factor in Egypt's September 2006 decision to investigate a multi-reactor generation program.

Given regional tensions, ongoing security instability and concerns regarding the country's nuclear record, the decisions by several nuclear powers to pursue atomic partnership agreements with Algeria are short-sighted.

This significant policy shift contributes to building the geo-strategic environment in which a regional nuclear arms race is made possible.

Algeria: dangerous nuclear secrecy

[Al-khiyal]

ALGIERS, September 16, 2007 (KUNA) -- Algeria said on Sunday it was seeking South Africa's expertise for developing civilian uses of nuclear energy. Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines Chakib Khelil, will embark on a visit to South Africa on Monday accompanied by a host of Algerian nuclear experts, the Ministry said in a statement.

It added that the visit would aim at enhancing bilateral cooperation on the civilian uses of nuclear power.

During the visit, the Algerian delegation would meet with senior officials of the power sector there and will pay field visits to a host of sites and search centres.

The two countries are bound to a cooperation agreement for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Algeria has two nuclear reactors, 3 and 15 megawatt.

Algeria seeks South African nuclear expertise

[Al-khiyal]

Jeudi 25 Octobre 2007 -- La France est toujours disponible à aider l'Algérie à se doter de la technologie nucléaire à des fins civiles. Cet après-midi, à Oran, le secrétaire d'Etat français chargé des entreprises et du commerce extérieur, Hervé Novelli, a renouvelé la proposition aux Algériens. « Nous sommes disponibles à aider l'Algérie dans le nucléaire civile. Nous attendons des propositions de la part des autorités algériennes », a-t-il dit lors d'une conférence de presse en marge de la Foire internationale d’Oran (FIO). Cette déclaration intervient au lendemain de la visite de Nicolas Sarkozy au Maroc durant laquelle Paris et Rabat ont signé un accord dans le nucléaire civil. Mais fois, Paris ne précise pas ce qu'elle souhaiterait obtenir en échange de ce partenariat.

Le ministre de l'énergie et des mines Chakib Khelil avait évoqué en juin dernier des discussions avec la France pour l'établissement d'un partenariat dans le nucléaire civil. Pour sa part, lors de la compagne présidentielle française, Nicolas Sarkozy avait proposé l'aide de son pays dans le nucléaire civil en échange d'une alliance stratégique entre Sonatrach et Gaz de France (GDF). Mais le gouvernement algérien a rejeté cette alliance et Gaz de France a fini par fusionner avec le groupe Suez.

Cette décision a mis un coup d’arrêt aux projets entre les deux pays dans le domaine du nucléaire civil : la délégation nucléaire française qui devait visiter l'Algérie en juillet n'est pas encore venue et les Algériens se sont tournés vers l'Afrique du sud pour « importer » la technologie nucléaire. L'Algérie a également signé en juin dernier un protocole d'accord dans le nucléaire civil avec les Etats-Unis et ambition de produire à terme de l'électricité avec de l'uranium.

Nucléaire civil : la France renouvelle sa proposition à l’Algérie

[Al-khiyal]

Nucléaire civil : la France renouvelle sa proposition à l’Algérie

France renews desire for peaceful nuclear cooperation with Algeria

[Al-khiyal]

ALGIERS, October 29, 2007 (Thomson Financial) - Algeria's energy minister said he will discuss cooperation with France in civilian nuclear power during a two-day visit to Paris.

'We will discuss, in addition to questions relating to fossil fuels - notably gas - cooperation in area of civilian nuclear power,' Chakib Khelil said on Algerian radio.

During a visit to Algeria in July, French president Nicolas Sarkozy told the local press that the two countries could cooperate in nuclear power, given that 'France possesses nuclear technology, while Algeria is starting to think about the post-oil era.'

Sarkozy also said in his address at the UN last month that 'France is ready to help any country which wants to possess civilian nuclear energy.'

Algeria currently has two experimental nuclear reactors which were developed respectively in collaboration with Argentina and China.

The North African country also signed in June a preliminary agreement with the US covering nuclear power.

Algerian energy minister to discuss nuclear power during French visit