pedro san pedro
30th November 2004, 01:29
Canberra, Tuesday November 30, 2004:
A controversial report released by Greenpeace today, "Secrets,
Lies and Uranium Enrichment: The classified Silex project at Lucas
Heights", reveals the full extent of the Australian Government's
support of a classified uranium enrichment project, and the dangers
of this technology.
The report highlights the hypocrisy of the Australian Government
wanting to play 'a vital role in helping stop the spread of WMD'
(Weapons of Mass Destruction), as stated by Defence Minister
Robert Hill in Sydney today, while allowing weapons-useable nuclear
technology to be developed in Sydney.
Uranium enrichment is a highly classified activity because it provides
the main ingredient used in the production of nuclear weapons. The
company conducting the research, Silex Systems Ltd is the only
company in the world pursuing laser enrichment of uranium, and
claim their technology is to be used to create fuel for power reactors.
Former diplomat Richard Broinowski and author of "Fact or Fission -
the truth about Australia's nuclear ambitions" has welcomed the
report: "It's a nonsense to suggest that laser enrichment of uranium
only has a civil application. If you can enrich Uranium-235 by 10% you
can enrich it to higher percentages to make it weapons useable. The
weapons application of this technology is being denied by both Silex
and the Government."
"If this uranium enrichment research were being conducted by Iran or
North Korea, our Government would call it evidence of a covert
weapons program," said Greenpeace nuclear campaigner, James
Courtney. "Allowing laser enrichment technology to be developed at
Lucas Heights seriously undermines our Government's commitment
to the elimination of nuclear weapons."
The Greenpeace report reveals that:
- Silex Systems Ltd leases more than 2000 square metres of space
at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation, and
has unspecified access to ANSTO technology and information;
- The Silex technology is protected by "Restricted Data" classification
through a special US-Australia bilateral agreement;
- Silex Systems is the only private company in Australia to come
under the regulation of the Australian Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). However no mention of Silex
Systems or laser enrichment has ever appeared in a publicly
available ARPANSA report.
"Greenpeace calls on the Australian Government to set an example
to the rest of the world, by ending research into sensitive nuclear
technologies that pose significant proliferation risks, such as the laser
enrichment of uranium," said James Courtney.
To view full report visit: http://www.greenpeace.org.au
A controversial report released by Greenpeace today, "Secrets,
Lies and Uranium Enrichment: The classified Silex project at Lucas
Heights", reveals the full extent of the Australian Government's
support of a classified uranium enrichment project, and the dangers
of this technology.
The report highlights the hypocrisy of the Australian Government
wanting to play 'a vital role in helping stop the spread of WMD'
(Weapons of Mass Destruction), as stated by Defence Minister
Robert Hill in Sydney today, while allowing weapons-useable nuclear
technology to be developed in Sydney.
Uranium enrichment is a highly classified activity because it provides
the main ingredient used in the production of nuclear weapons. The
company conducting the research, Silex Systems Ltd is the only
company in the world pursuing laser enrichment of uranium, and
claim their technology is to be used to create fuel for power reactors.
Former diplomat Richard Broinowski and author of "Fact or Fission -
the truth about Australia's nuclear ambitions" has welcomed the
report: "It's a nonsense to suggest that laser enrichment of uranium
only has a civil application. If you can enrich Uranium-235 by 10% you
can enrich it to higher percentages to make it weapons useable. The
weapons application of this technology is being denied by both Silex
and the Government."
"If this uranium enrichment research were being conducted by Iran or
North Korea, our Government would call it evidence of a covert
weapons program," said Greenpeace nuclear campaigner, James
Courtney. "Allowing laser enrichment technology to be developed at
Lucas Heights seriously undermines our Government's commitment
to the elimination of nuclear weapons."
The Greenpeace report reveals that:
- Silex Systems Ltd leases more than 2000 square metres of space
at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation, and
has unspecified access to ANSTO technology and information;
- The Silex technology is protected by "Restricted Data" classification
through a special US-Australia bilateral agreement;
- Silex Systems is the only private company in Australia to come
under the regulation of the Australian Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). However no mention of Silex
Systems or laser enrichment has ever appeared in a publicly
available ARPANSA report.
"Greenpeace calls on the Australian Government to set an example
to the rest of the world, by ending research into sensitive nuclear
technologies that pose significant proliferation risks, such as the laser
enrichment of uranium," said James Courtney.
To view full report visit: http://www.greenpeace.org.au