Russia ready to set up intl. nuclear fuel depot

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120405§ionid=351020602


Russia has expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of an international nuclear fuel bank via a planned delivery of its first batch of low-enriched uranium.

Sergei Kiriyenko, the director of Russia's nuclear power corporation Rosatom, reiterated the government's support for a UN-controlled nuclear fuel reserve bank which Russia holds would overcome "insurmountable political difficulties," RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking at an international conference on nuclear energy in Paris on Monday, the Rosatom chief said, "I believe that the first part of these reserves could be formed by the end of this year."

"We want to initially build low-enriched uranium (LEU) reserves that would ensure the operation of at least one 1,000 MW reactor," Kiriyenko added.

He also noted that a deal between Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the fuel depot could be struck by May.

Russian officials have said that the creation of a nuclear fuel reservoir with LEU stock in central Russia would provide supplies to IAEA members in the event of an emergency.

The IAEA Board of Governors approved the establishment of a nuclear fuel reserve bank in November 2009.