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SEOUL SUMMIT DISCUSSES NUCLEAR THREATS
Vestnik Kavkaza
March 28 2012
Armenia
The world summit on nuclear security has ended in Seoul. All states
developing nuclear technologies took part. North Korea and Iran were
not invited, which is a signal that the talks concerned them.
Experts have called the final statement unclear. It contains urges to
ban highly enriched nuclear fuel. Third world states were recommended
to export only light-water reactors.
The idea would prevent terrorists from using nuclear materials. Iran
enriches uranium to 19.75%, while light-water reactors enrich it to
2-5%. The Armenian nuclear power plant was also touched upon.
Vladimir Yevseyev, Director of the Russian Center for Socio-Political
Studies, told Vestnik Kavkaza that there was no direct relation
of talks to the Caucasus. Discussions concerned security of nuclear
materials. Armenia is a Caucasus state with a nuclear power plant. But
it is unclear where the nuclear fuel is disposed.
The expert noted that the power plant has reliable water-cooled energy
blocks VVER-440. But seismological security there is low.
Vladimir Yevseyev noted that the power plant's automatic shutdown
system worked perfectly during the earthquake in Spitak. Yet, the
staff just ran out of the power plant, abandoning it. Staff from the
Kolsk power plant was moved there urgently. The problem is that the
reactor still produces about 15 MW when shut down. It may explosde
unless it is cooled.
Armenia has a nuclear power plant in Metsamor about 20-30 km south
of Yerevan and 16 km away from the Turkish border. It was built in
1976 and has only one energy block producing 407.5 MW.
Armenia is trying to convince the world that the power plant is
secure. National Geographic published an article stating that the
plant's design and lifepsna make it the most dangerous nuclear facility
in the world.
Metsamor became a topical problem after the Fukushima disaster in
Japan. Armenia insists that adjustments made in the last 15 years
improve its security. However, the IAEA states that the power plant
does not meet international norms. Its VVER-440 C systems are similar
to the ones in Chernobyl. The Eu has not convinced Armenia to close
the facility. The European Union offered 59 million euro to shut it
down. It offers 200 million euro more to seal the place.
From: Baghdasarian
Vestnik Kavkaza
March 28 2012
Armenia
The world summit on nuclear security has ended in Seoul. All states
developing nuclear technologies took part. North Korea and Iran were
not invited, which is a signal that the talks concerned them.
Experts have called the final statement unclear. It contains urges to
ban highly enriched nuclear fuel. Third world states were recommended
to export only light-water reactors.
The idea would prevent terrorists from using nuclear materials. Iran
enriches uranium to 19.75%, while light-water reactors enrich it to
2-5%. The Armenian nuclear power plant was also touched upon.
Vladimir Yevseyev, Director of the Russian Center for Socio-Political
Studies, told Vestnik Kavkaza that there was no direct relation
of talks to the Caucasus. Discussions concerned security of nuclear
materials. Armenia is a Caucasus state with a nuclear power plant. But
it is unclear where the nuclear fuel is disposed.
The expert noted that the power plant has reliable water-cooled energy
blocks VVER-440. But seismological security there is low.
Vladimir Yevseyev noted that the power plant's automatic shutdown
system worked perfectly during the earthquake in Spitak. Yet, the
staff just ran out of the power plant, abandoning it. Staff from the
Kolsk power plant was moved there urgently. The problem is that the
reactor still produces about 15 MW when shut down. It may explosde
unless it is cooled.
Armenia has a nuclear power plant in Metsamor about 20-30 km south
of Yerevan and 16 km away from the Turkish border. It was built in
1976 and has only one energy block producing 407.5 MW.
Armenia is trying to convince the world that the power plant is
secure. National Geographic published an article stating that the
plant's design and lifepsna make it the most dangerous nuclear facility
in the world.
Metsamor became a topical problem after the Fukushima disaster in
Japan. Armenia insists that adjustments made in the last 15 years
improve its security. However, the IAEA states that the power plant
does not meet international norms. Its VVER-440 C systems are similar
to the ones in Chernobyl. The Eu has not convinced Armenia to close
the facility. The European Union offered 59 million euro to shut it
down. It offers 200 million euro more to seal the place.
From: Baghdasarian