ABSTRACT
The nuclear power industry has yet to find adequate public acceptance because of a lack of confidence relating to: (a) peaceful use; (b) safety of operation; (c) disposal of wastes, and (d) physical protection of plants and materials. Consumers and suppliers should have a vested interest in ensuring use for peaceful purposes only. This can be done only through internationally agreed mechanisms. Existing agreements have not created a sufficient degree of confidence that there will be no diversion of weapons-usable material, and a programme of ‘supplemental’ measures is called for. This could include: (a) a scheme for the international control of excess plutonium; (b) a scheme for the international control of excess, highly enriched uranium; (c) a scheme for the international control of spent fuel; (d) joint participation by several countries in sensitive processes, and (e) finalization of existing proposals for physical protection. We should aim to move away from a situation in which special restrictions are imposed through bilateral agreements. Trade agreements should be as free as possible from arbitrary termination or suspension. Countries should be given the technical assistance they need. However, nuclear technology cannot be delivered in lumps and needs a strong and advanced base in the purchaser country.
