ML20071L003

Outlines Administration Policy Toward Cooperation W/Foreign Countries in Breeder R&D & How Domestic Policies & Actions Could Impinge Upon Cooperation

ML20071L003
Person / Time
Site:	Clinch River
Issue date:	07/29/1982
From:	Kennedy R STATE, DEPT. OF
To:	Davis W ENERGY, DEPT. OF
References
NUDOCS 8208020296
Download: ML20071L003 (1)

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UNDER S ECR ET ARY oF STATE

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FoR M ANAGEMENT WASHINGTON mdv CFFICE OF SElhIAr^

July 29, 1982 00CKEicG & SERvlCE BRANCH

Dear Ken:

You requested the State Department's views on the Clinch River Breeder Project and on breeder R&D in general.

We are interested in assuring that our domestic nuclear program is supportive of US foreign policy interests.

Because the Department has not been directly involved in the Clinch River s

Project, however, I will limit my response to this Administra-tion's policy toward cooperation with foreign countries in breeder R&D and how our domestic policies and actions could impinge upon that cooperation.

If we are to maintain this nation's position in the forefront.of energy technology development in the world, we must contribute to the collective efforts of those advanced countries whose energy needs require funding of new sources of energy such as theibreeder geactor.

It is equally impor-tant for U.S. non-proliferation interests that we participate in cooperative R&D' ef forts to ensure that rigorous safeguards are developed for breeder reactors.

Finally if we are to be able to work together with other countries to realize the potential energy benefits of the breeder while contrailing any proliferation risk, we must participate actively in such programs domestically lest we risk having little or no say when vital decisions in this area are made.

Sincerely, l'?.e l t

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I Richard T.

Kennedy The Honorable W.

Kenneth Davis, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy.

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