ML19290D586

Forwards 791221 Ltr to President Carter Urging Prompt Action on Philippine Reactor Export License Application.Continued Delays May Create Foreign Relations Problems

ML19290D586
Person / Time
Site:	05000574
Issue date:	12/21/1979
From:	Church F SENATE, FOREIGN RELATIONS
To:	Ahearne J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19290D581	List: ML19290D586
References
NUDOCS 8002220230
Download: ML19290D586 (4)

Text

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es s . xb,"o ge g .# . 22 :=... EE Jr g,g J # -  :.-- Chairman John F. Ahearne 5 d[p U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Corrnission @t W f-MI-iin gp Washington, D.C. 20555 .N 4 j :yfc

Dear Chairman Ahearne:

J.'-Z I*!;' .. . ;.:.; I thought you might be interested in the attached r... . [:ig letter I sent to the President today. E. .E. E I look forward to discussing with you these and other issues affecting nuclear exports in hearings N!. " t.ne corelen c Relat_,ons Co:=1ttee o. lans to noic on w- -s the subject next year. . --

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COMMITTCC ON FORCICN RC't ATIONS

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• December 21, 1979 A 3

e-ef$#e., B , The President C gM d D f' The 'Tnite House /D D 5 0 #(W h ~ Washington, D.C. 2050 hDhh1 f[ j $$d%I# ,  ;

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Dear Mr. President:

On April 26, 1979, I exnressed concern in a letter to Secretary Vance about our fa'ilure to act on the Philippine nuclear reactor export license. In his reply, Secretary , Vance shared my concern that the icage of our nation as a reliable supplier was being adversely affected, and our ability to influence non-proliferation policies of other nations was thereby diminished. . In the meantine , I understand that the Executive Branc'n, af ter Consideration of the geological factors at the reactor site, recesraended to the Muclear ?,egulatory Commission in Septenber that the license be issued. I co=.end this e f fort to reach'a decision, but am now informed that the matter, which is new before the Nuclear F.egulatory Cor_.ission , is still not resolved and is not likely to be in the near future. I feel that the continued delays in issuance of the nuclear license may be creating new problers in the Pacific 3asin anc in the conduct of our foreign relations generally. I cannot c or.- en t on the technical aspects which nay be affecting the licensing decision, but it see=s clear that our Government's I institutional structure is not responding with suf ficient urgency to the need for action on cur part. It seems incongruous that a foreign policy issue of this magnitude is being decided by. an independent regulatory agency. Tn e U . S . Government actively supported the reactor sale by an American exporter, against strong foreign competition. Vet, the license application has been pending for over three

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   .Page~2 December 21, 1979 years.       During that po.riod, little or nothing seecs to have               .

been done by the United States to have helped the Philippine Government to identify or resolve the safety issues whi ch have been alleged. Latest indications are that the Nuclear Regula- ~ tory Commission will not make a final dec sion on the license until perhaps the Su=mer of 1980, at the earliest.. In view of the long delay already experienced, and with  ; no assurance that the matter will be resolved by our Government

• in a timely fashion, construction work has now been suspended by the Philippine Government. ,

This is placing a heavy financial burden on th'e Philippine people, in added interest charges and construction costs. The delay, in addition , de= ands the burning of 6,000,000 barrels of i ported oil annually, which adds over S100,000,000 each - year at world oil prices before the recent increase to an already serious balance of paysents deficit for a developing Country. The foreign policy implications are obvious, and I'm sure you and Secretary Vance share ry concern. We have seen rajor financial proble=s develop in a friendly country which provides us access to vital cilitary bases, and we have not yet been able to take appropriate positive action to: find a solution dhich satis fied both countries ' interests.

          '.'.'hile I understand that you should not influence the findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Co==ission on the license is su an c e s , I hope you will urge, in consideration of our foreign policy interests, that the Commission's decision be expedited.

I fear that , without your strong intervantion, the hard-pressed Co==ission will not give the matter the priority which it de- serves. Continued delay will not only affect our bi-lateral relations, but have long-range adverse consequences on our non-proliferation objectives. May I also urge that steps be taxen by the Executive oranen to clarify and resolve any outstanding questions which exist in the mind of the Philippine authorities. A cooperative 4

Tne President Page 3 December 21, 1979 effort seems clearly to be called for. With bes.: wishes for the Holiday Season, Sincerely, . Frank Church . O e 0 e}}