ML20216J150
| ML20216J150 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/02/1998 |
| From: | Mcgaffigan E NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Hoyle J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20216J104 | List: |
| References | |
| SECY-98-023-C, SECY-98-23-C, NUDOCS 9803230368 | |
| Download: ML20216J150 (3) | |
Text
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NOT ATION VOTE I
RESPONSE SHEET TO:
John C. Hoyle, Secretary FROM:
COMMISSIONER MCGAFFIGAN
SUBJECT:
SECY-98-023 - PROPOSED " SUBSEQUENT ARRANGEMENT" TO AUTHORIZE ARGENTINA TO RECOVER AND USE FOR MEDICAL ISOTOPE PRODUCTION, TWO KILOGRAMS OF U.S.-SUPPLIED, UNIRRADIATED HIGH ENRICHED URANIUM (HEU)
Approved X'
Disapproved Abstain Not Participating Request Discussion COMMENT S:
I approve the proposed " subsequent arrangement" to authorize Argentina to recover and use for medical isotope production, up to two kilograms of U.S.-supplied, unirradiated high enriched uranium (HEU), provided that the proposed diplomatic notes (Attachment 3 to SECY-98-023) are clarified with regard to the actual amount and intended use of the altered material that is the subject of the subsequent agreement.
Proposed changes to the diplomatic notes are attached.
The transmittal letter (Attachment 4) to the Department of Energy should urge DOE to incorporate these changes in the diplomatic notes.
SIGNATURE NU(;
Release' Vote / M 1,
1998 DATE Withhold Vote /
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Entered on "AS" Yes.v No e$032$o$$$I$$$1*
CORRESPONDENCE PDR
~.
.JAN-21-1998 13:43 (WKg
~ - - - - - - - -
i argnte
Dear Mr. Minister,
I have the honor to refer to paragraph 2 of Article 6 for Cooperation between the United States of the Agreementof America and the Argentine Republic concerning Peaceful 1996 (hereinafter Uses of Nuclear Energy signed February 29,and to propose the following referred to as "the Agreement')to the alteration in form or understanding with respect (HEU) transferred pursugnt' of high enriched uraniumor used in or produced through the use fg/
content to the Agreement material or equipment so transferred:
to paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Agreement, ikuu g L9f '{ogibujJ" Pursuant the Government of the United States of America and the of the Arg'entine Republic agree thaty-Government to the Agreement unirradiated HEU transferred pursuant or used in or produced through the use of material of so transferred in Argentina may be altered in equipment for the purpose of recovering and form or content including through the cleaning of processing uranium, precipitateduraniumfromfilters,{fortheproduction of medical isotopes.
ScLdag The Government of the United States and the Government of Argentina agree that whenever a low enriched uranium (LEU) target has been qualified by the relevant in a large percentage authorities and does not result increase in the total cost of operating a reactor, for the inclading necessary associated equipment, such an production and processing of medical isotopes, alternative LEU target will be used in lieu of an HEU after required equipment has been installed and target the necessary licenses have been obtained.
In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the use LEU targets, the Government of Argentina and the of of the United States will cooperate in a Government program to develop LEU targets that can be used to produce medical isotopes. A Joint Technical Working Group including experts from Argonne National the CNEA, and other relevant scientific Laboratory, institutions in Argentina and the United States will be environmental, established to consult on technical, regulatory and economic considerations pertaining to the adoption of new LEU targets for the production of medical isotopes.
r--
I have the honor to confirm the following understandings with respect to paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Agreement for Cooperation between the United States of America and the Argentine Republic concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed February 29, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement'):
Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 6 of the Agreement, the Government of the United States of America and the of the Argentino Republic agree that up % Auh b Government unirradiated HEU transferred pursuant to the Agreement O g,'
lsed in or produced through the use of material or equipment so transferred in Argentina may be altered in form or content for the recovering and processing uranium, including through the cleaning of precipitated uranium #romfilters,['fo he production of medical isotopes 34 The Government of the United States and the Government of Argentina agree that whenever a low enriched uranium (LEU) target has been qualified by the relevant authorities and does not result in a large percentage increase in the total cost of operating a reactor, including necessary associated equipment, for the production and processing of medical isotopes, such an alternative LEU target will be used in lieu of an HEU target after required equipment has been installed and the necessary licenses have been obtained.
In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the use of LEU targets, the Government of Argentina and the Government of the United States will cooperate in a program to develop LEU targets that can be used to produce medical isotopes. A Joint Technical Working Group including experts from Argonne National Laboratory, the CNEA, and other relevant scientific institutions in Argentina and the United States will be established to consult on technical, environmental, regulatory and economic considerations pertalning to the adoption of new LEU targets for the production of medical isotopes.
I confirm that these understandings will become operative as of today.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
i f
f
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UNITED STATES g
8' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION e
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20555-0001 3
/
March 11, 1998 j
OFFICE OF THE j
SECRETARY MEMORANDUM TO:
Carlton R. Stoiber, Director Office of Intemational Programs FROM:
John C. Hoyle, Sacretary 60tl
SUBJECT:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - SECY-98-023 - PROPOSED
' SUBSEQUENT ARRANGEMENT" TO AUTHORIZE ARGENTINA TO RECOVER AND USE FOR MEDICAL ISOTOPE PRODUCTION, TWO KILOGRAMS OF U.S.-SUPPLIED, UNIRRADIATED HIGH ENRICHED URANIUM (HEU)
The Commission has approved the response to DOE indicating no objection to the proposed subsequent arrangement, contingent on completion of the proposed exchange of diplomatic notes and subject to the following comments.
1 Commission approval is based on the understanding that the staff is satisfied that all applicable criteria are met for the proposed subsequent arrangement.
2.
The staff should convey disappointment to the Executive Branch abotst the quality of the analysis and documentation provided to the NRC, particularly given that this is the first authorization to take place between the U.S. and Argentina in the nuck ar area for more than twenty years.
The staff should urge the Executive Branch to clarify the proposed diplomatic notes with regard to the actual amount and intended exclusive use of the altered material.
The Commission should La period;cally informed about the proposed Sister-Laboratory cooperation between Argonne National Laboratory and CNEA in Argentina to support and monitor fulfillment of the requirement that the U.S. Government is actively developing an alternative nuclear reactor fuel or target that can be used in that reactor.
(OlP)
(SECY Suspense:
4/24/98)
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Chairman Jackson Commissioner Dieus
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Commissioner Diaz
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Commissioner McGaffigan OGC EDO CIO CFO OCA OlG j
Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Msil)
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