"Israel", U.S. Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

Source: Al Manar TV, 14-04-2008
'Israel' and the United States signed an agreement several days ago to step up cooperation in the field of nuclear safety. The move is part of 'Israel's' efforts to receive foreign assistance in ensuring that the aging nuclear reactor at Dimona continues to operate safely.
The new agreement broadens and upgrades previous accords between the two countries in this field, which were signed over the past two decades. It will enable the 'Israel' Atomic Energy Commission to access most of the latest nuclear safety data, procedures and technology available in the U.S.
The agreement was signed by the director of the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Shaul Horev, and the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Dr. Dale Klein.
Even though the agreement is essentially technical in nature, it has much greater significance, as many countries, including the U.S., are inclined not to cooperate with 'Israel' on any aspects related to the nuclear field, because 'Israel' is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, the U.S. has agreements on nuclear safety with 'Israel'. Moreover, 'Israel' also has an agreement for limited cooperation on matters of nuclear safety with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has adopted the stringent standards and safety procedures of the Vienna-based organization.
In recent years 'Israel' has tried to improve and broaden its ties in the nuclear field with as many countries and organizations as possible. This was done in an effort to breach its isolation in this field, but also because of the need for foreign assistance to help ensure safety at the nuclear research compound in Dimona, as well as monitor nuclear waste at the site.
The Dimona reactor - which foreign reports say is used by 'Israel' to develop nuclear arms - was established nearly five decades ago, and is considered relatively old. Experts in the field have expressed concern that safety mishaps could occur there, since it is not under international supervision, due to the classified activities there.
However, 'Israel' has argued that the reactor has been upgraded in recent years and that safety there meets the highest international standards.
In recent years, some of the senior members of the 'Israel' Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) have called for a nuclear reactor here to produce electricity, thus limiting the dependence on imported petroleum and preparing for the forecast shortage in oil reserves.
However, 'Israel' is expected to meet with opposition from abroad to an electricity-producing reactor because of its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. One of the options raised was to seek an agreement with the U.S. that will allow the transfer of technology for the construction of such a reactor. The U.S. was on the verge of recently signing a similar agreement with India, a country also not a signatory of the NPT, but due to domestic political opposition, an agreement faltered.