the Libyan Atomic Energy Institute has begun “activating” agreements signed with what it describes as friendly countries on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and is also working towards issuing a nuclear law. The passing of a federal law on the peaceful use of nuclear energy is an important step towards establishing the necessary legal and regulatory framework for any country wishing to embark on any a nuclear power program of any scale. (Source: World Nuclear News)
Libya (like the UAE) has been and will be taken as a role model, in particular to increase pressure on Iran to come clean with the international community about its nuclear program.
Re: nuclear co-operation – Open CRS has a report by Paul Kerr on the U.S.-India Nuclear Deal (click here to download it).
Remember Scott D. Sagan’s article “Why Do States Build Nuclear Weapons”?
These days India provides a good example for the second model as a group of scientists and other high-ranking persons is pushing for further nuclear tests. The Washington Postreports the following:
A little more than a year after India and the United States signed a historic civilian agreement lifting a 30-year ban on nuclear trade, some former top nuclear scientists here are arguing that India needs to conduct another weapons test.
(…)
One of the scientists, K. Santhanam, who coordinated India’s nuclear weapons program when the country conducted five nuclear tests 11 years ago, has said that the original thermonuclear device test was a dud. That claim comes at a time when the idea of a universal test ban is gaining momentum under President Obama. Speaking last month at the United Nations, Obama called for the signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by 2010.
Some Indian analysts say Santhanam is speaking for a powerful but small group of nuclear scientists, diplomats and military experts who wish to prevent Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from supporting Obama’s call.
“Santhanam finally realized the enormity of consequences of India’s never testing again,” said Bharat Karnad, a member of the team that developed India’s nuclear doctrine and a former member of the National Security Advisory Board. “It has to do with the perception that Manmohan Singh is predisposed to offer no resistance to Obama’s nonproliferation policy push and may sign the CTBT. And that the government has to be stopped from doing this. It is, in fact, about keeping our testing option open.”
Just to share the video of the signing ceremony with you…
President Bush’s statement on the signing of the agreement is also noteworthy:
Our agreement will also strengthen global nonproliferation efforts. India has committed to operate its civil nuclear energy program under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international guidelines. India will continue to build on its strong record of responsibility in operating its nuclear facilities. And India and the United States will cooperate more closely to keep the world’s most dangerous weapons out of the hands of extremists and terrorists. (emphasis added)
I will try to compile a number of resources on the deal in the next couple of days.
