16 June 2008

U.S.-Russia Nuclear Pact Looks to Further Cooperation

“123 Agreement” would address proliferation, foster energy innovation

U.S. Ambassador William Burns, left, and Russia’s Sergey Kiriyenko make a toast after signing the "123 Agreement" May 6.

By Michael Buchanan
Staff Writer

Washington -- The new “123 Agreement” with Russia presents an opportunity for two former nuclear rivals to share peaceful nuclear technology and combat nuclear proliferation, a senior U.S. State Department official says.

In his June 12 testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, John Rood, acting under secretary for arms control and international security, said certain proliferation-resistant technologies could be developed under the agreement that would have been impossible previously.  In addition, he said, the agreement would provide the United States with commercial opportunities with Russia while reaffirming the shared nonproliferation goals.

The “123 Agreement” is named after section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.  While the agreement does not address specific programs, Rood said, it provides a framework of nonproliferation controls for commercial nuclear energy transactions.

“Upon entry into force, this agreement would establish a legal basis for what we expect to be mutually beneficial, peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Russia,” he said.

Allowed under the new 30-year agreement would be the transfer of technology, material, and equipment, such as reactors, under strict proliferation controls.

The United States already has signed “123 Agreements” with many other nations, including most countries with major nuclear-energy programs, including Japan, China and European Union members.

The most recent agreement with Russia was signed by U.S. Ambassador William Burns and the director of Russia’s nuclear energy corporation, Sergey Kiriyenko, May 6, and must be approved by Congress to take effect.  Rood said the administration considers the agreement an important achievement in ties with Russia as former opponents become partners.

One element of this partnership would enable both countries to develop proliferation-resistant technology, specifically spent-fuel recycling programs and advanced reactors that would reduce the chance of dangerous material falling into the hands of rogue states or terrorists.  In some of these fields, Russia has taken the lead.

“In areas like advanced fast-burner reactors and advanced nuclear fuel and fuel-cycle facilities, Russia possesses experience and facilities not widely available in the United States,” Rood said.  “For example, the Department of Energy would like to send advanced fuel for testing in Russian fast-neutron reactors, but can only do so with a 123 Agreement in place.”

He added that the agreement also would aid nuclear materials law enforcement in the two countries, allowing the transfer of nuclear materials for forensic purposes.

This latest accord follows several other important peaceful nuclear-energy declarations from the two countries.  On two separate occasions, in July 2007 and April 2008, President Bush and then-Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen nonproliferation practices while safely providing the advantages of nuclear power programs to interested countries.

Rood said the July 2007 declaration emphasized the need for peaceful nuclear energy, including in developing nations, as an alternative to electricity produced from greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels.

Environmental, economic and proliferation concerns are seen as driving an increased need for the nuclear cooperation presented in the agreement, Rood said.

“This agreement helps us build a stronger relationship and areas of cooperation with Russia in mutually beneficial ways, advances our ability to combat the critical challenges of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism in the 21st century, aids development of new nuclear energy technologies, and allows commercial opportunities for U.S. industry,” he said.