Armenian Nuclear Plant Threatens Us Security

[alpha]

Is this a result of the incompetency of political elite of Armenia?

http://www.bellona.no/en/international/rus...tion/31560.html

 

 

Armenian nuclear plant threatens US security

 

The United States has included the closure of the Armenian nuclear reactor in its plans for securing weapons of mass destruction for next year.

 

2003-10-22 13:51

 

According to a recent US State Department report, Armenia last year agreed with the US’ request to shut down its only reactor, which presents a grave environmental risk. According to the State Department, it has also become a risk for the national security of the US, which feels threatened by potential thefts of Armenian reactor materials and technology by international terrorists, Centran.ru, the Central-Asian news Internet site, reported. However, although the plant is slated for shutdown next year, the report does not specify how much money will be spent on the closure.

 

Last year, US government agencies allocated $10.2m for security programmes in Armenia, said the website. Recently, the Armenian nuclear power plant was taken over by the Russian energy supply giant, RAO Unified Energy System of Russia, as part of Armenian debt redemption to Russia.

[gamavor]

Armenian Nuclear Plant is safe and secure source for energy.

I would suggest to the State Department to focus their attention on the Bill of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the biggest terrorist act in human history!

[Sasun]

Is this a result of the incompetency of political elite of Armenia?

Do you mean the promise to shut down? It maybe, or it is a usual empty promise by a politician. Isn't it clear that the nuclear plant is first of all a danger to Armenia? But we do need it at this point for obvious reasons.

As far as the US statement, it is an example of US selfishness and arrogance in the international arena. Maybe Armenia must be listed among the axes of evil also because it is not closing the power plant as the US pleases.

[MJ]

Armenian Nuclear power plant has lost its positive strategic significance for Armenia. Even worse, it has become one of the primary instruments in the hands of Russia to control the political process in Armenia. In two words, it is the primary instrument of the re-colonization of Armenia. It is in the best interests of Armenia to shut it down – assuming that replacement can be brought together before the shutdown.

 

The plant is located at the edge of a very dangerous tectonic fault. It has always been there and it has not changed.

 

It is true that it is deemed safe from the point of view of radioactive leaks and is equipped with the safest Russian nuclear reactor on the territory of the former USSR - due to the American and European financial assistance. But that is only relatively small part of the picture.

 

This issue is the highest priory problem of the independence of Armenia - to diversify its sources of her energy supply. Currently, the entire energy supply of Armenia trace to the same origin.

 

The requests of the shutdown of the plant, which effective this year have been seconded by the European Union, is the best opportunity for Armenia to negotiate a gas pipeline deal with Iran with a perspective of continuing it to much starved of natural gas resources European Union countries through Georgia, meanwhile resolving significant problems of political and economic importance for the future of Armenia. Years ago, this opportunity was squandered by the then prime-minister Bagratyan due to his short-sightedness, as visionary as he has been in his overall policies.

 

Furthermore, it is estimated by the experts that to maintain the Armenian Nuclear plant at the level of acceptably necessary security in the next 15 years, approximately $1 billion has to be dumped into such venture. Only an idiot would go for such pathological decision - not that we don't have enough of them. With such an amount Armenia can resolve the issue of building a gas pipeline and a natural gas fired power plant (or few of them) in order to substitute the nuclear plant, potentially extracting transportation and other tariffs from other countries.

 

In fact, the issue is much deeper and not a subject for Internet discussions.

 

To summarize, yes, it is extremely necessary to shutdown the Armenian nuclear plant with a condition of bringing to life the above mentioned alternative program.

 

The only enemy of such meaningful and necessary development of Armenia is Russia. The overcoming of the Russian resistance would require substantial effort on a very high international level. But so that anything of the kind may succeed, Armenian government has to pursue it as an item of the highest priority of Armenia’s foreign policy.

 

However, as Steve once coined, with the type of Armenian leadership we have, we can only hope for the best but expect the worst. The "enlightened" on the subject with superficial mantras Armenians that we may face when contemplating on this subject may turn to be not much preferable than some government officials.

Edited October 22, 2003 by MJ

[Teutonic Knight]

US security?

Why would Armenia give a damn about US security?

Mighty bollocks.

It's a good source of energy and I doubt it will be shut down in the near future.

[alpha]

Armenia needs the nuclear plant, to avoid the dark years of early ‘90s. I believe experts have estimated that it will cost Armenia $1 billion to build a new nuclear plant, equipped with best security measures. Considering the inhospitable geopolitical environment of Armenia, when 2 of its neighbors are openly hostile and one is not stable to guarantee the safety of transit fuel (remember the early ‘90s) I think it’s imperative for Armenia to become energy independent from its neighbors. The reason Armenian Nuclear Plant is considered a threat to US national security is the cordial relationship of Armenia and nuclear weapon seeking Iran. I think it was last year or a few years ago when Armenia signed an agreement about cooperation, which included cooperation in a military field. In fact one of the factories in Charentsavan was black listed by US last year for selling equipment to Iran that will help them in their goal of obtaining nuclear weapons. This can be considered warning to Armenian government to reconsider its incohesive and incompetent foreign policy, which was the brightest achievement of the previous administration.

 

Actually a few days ago Aravot had an editorial about this subject. http://www.aravot.am/2003/aravot_arm/Octob...ober/18/p04.htm

 

MJ building a gas pipeline from Iran through Armenia is gaining momentum as Armenian leadership realizes its importance to its national security. I guess one can hope "Better late than never".

 

http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1134.html

 

10/22/03

Armenia terms transfer of gas from Iran significant

Armenia`s Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said in Yerevan on Wednesday that Yerevan attaches great significance to the project to transfer Iran`s gas to Armenia, and called for expediting the implementation of the project as soon as possible, IRNA reported.

 

Movsisyan, speaking in a meeting with the visiting governor general of Iran`s East Azarbaijan province, said Yerevan is determined to cooperate with Iran on the project, stressing that Iranian officials have also pledged to provide all necessary assistance to make the project operational.

 

He further stressed that Iran and Armenia have agreed to construct two units of a hydroelectric plant with a production capacity of 80 megawatts on the banks of the Aras River.

 

Movsisyan added that Armenia would use Iran`s experience in constructing the plant.

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Armenian energy minister said that Tehran and Yerevan are also considering to start a new project to transfer Iran`s electricity to Armenia.

 

He said the project will come on stream in mid-2004, stressing that it will double Iran`s exports of electricity to Armenia. Movsisyan further stressed that Iran and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding last year for the construction of a wind power plant, stressing that the construction of the plant will start next year.

[alpha]

http://www.cenn.org/magazine_1/The_Armenian.html

 

The article by Tigran Hovhannisyan says it all about Armenian Nuclear Plant.

 

The Armenian Nuclear Plant

Pros and Cons

 

 

by Tigran Hovhannisyan

 

 

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is situated near the small town of Metsamor, 30 kilometers away from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Its construction was a fundamental part of the Soviet energy infrastructure. In the late 1960s, the need for a power source supporting the rapidly growing Armenian industry became obvious. The main source of energy in previous decades was the cascade of hydropower plants on the river Hrazdan. Unfortunately, due to excessive use of resources of the river Hrazdan - the main water supplier of Lake Sevan - the level of water in the lake decreased by 18 meters, noticeably changing the natural environmental balance of Armenia. In order to restore and maintain the level of the lake, an expensive tunnel was constructed through the mountains to connect the River Arpa with Lake Sevan.

 

 

 

 

Why it was decided to construct a NPP rather than a new gas or oil pipeline is still unknown. However, there are rumors that this decision was taken due to the principles of the planned socialist economy in the South Caucasus. Basically, the region had to have its own plant, and since Heydar Aliev and Eduard Shevardnadze were more influential in the Politburo of the Communist Party of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Georgia were spared the dubious honor of hosting it.

 

Construction of the first and second units of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was completed in 1976 and 1980 respectively. Both used pressurized water reactors of the type BBEP-440/B270 - a type similar to those operating at the Kozlodui NPP of Bulgaria. In addition to the standard design, additional features were incorporated into the construction, which allowed the primary circuit and safety systems to withstand an earthquake having a magnitude of up to 8.0 by the Richter scale. Quite soon, the Metsamor NPP reached one of the highest operation records in the Soviet Union, with 815 megawatts of generating capacity. It provided more than one quarter of Armenia's total power production, and created a noticeable surplus, which was exported to neighboring republics.

 

The devastating Armenian earthquake of December 7, 1988 ruined the north of the country just in the beginning of Armenia's movement for independence, and in the midst of the ethnic conflict in Nagorno Artsax. The general opinion of the public was that it was impossible to operate the plant, which was situated in the seismic zone (9.0 by the Richter scale). Both reactors were closed down on January 6, 1989, although the plant was not damaged by the earthquake, and was operating safely.

 

The events of the following five years developed rather unfavorably for Armenia. The conflict in Nagorno-Artsax grew into war, and an economic blockade by Armenia’s neighbors resulted in a catastrophic decrease in energy resources. From 1992 to 1995, Armenia was immersed in darkness; people had electricity one to two hours a day. The only functioning gas pipeline passed through Georgia, and internal political events there often were reflected in the gas supply to Armenia.

 

 

 

However, the closing of the Metsamor NPP entailed other problems that could lead to an environmental catastrophe. The 550-megawatt Sevan-Hrazdan hydroelectric cascade again became the main supplier of electricity to Armenia. As a result, the level of Lake Sevan, which had barely increased by 1.2 meters in the 1980s, came down in less than a year. The water level again dropped below the ecologically safe limit.

 

But when, in the beginning of 1990s, desperate people began to cut trees for heating their apartments in unprecedented cold winters, it was a real catastrophe. As a result, the forests and groves planted by the efforts of previous generations in the towns almost disappeared. The situation was more complicated in those regions where forest-cutting led to unprecedented soil erosion that altered the fragile balance between these territories and neighboring areas. Even the large-scale tree-planting campaigns of the last few years could restore only a small part of cut forest massifs.

 

This critical situation forced the government of Armenia to restart the nuclear power station. It was a decision that was very uncharacteristic of the nuclear industry. The 407 megawatt second unit was restarted in April 1993, and since then has been operating under the constant control of international observers. However, the safety of the Metsamor NPP is a political rather than an environmental issue. Almost all neighboring states are concerned about the current condition of the Armenian NPP, and therefore each technical problem is the subject of sharp disputes. Even the assurances of the experts from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) working at the plant cannot prevent surges of articles in the mass media containing apocalyptic forecasts for the future of the region in the event of an accident at the NPP, as it was in Chernobyl. The reactor of the Armenian NPP fundamentally differs from the reactor of the Chernobyl NPP. The concerns of the Georgian media regarding this matter are acceptable, but until now no one has considered the consequences for Armenia, or even for Georgia, which imports electric power from the NPP, of shutting it down. As for Azerbaijan, accusations about contamination of the Azerbaijani Republic with nuclear waste from the Metsamor NPP appear almost every week.

 

What are the current realities and how can Armenia handle present and future problems? Traditional energy resources (oil, coal and gas) either have not been discovered or do not exist at all on the territory of the republic. Therefore, Armenia depends on imports almost entirely - an unsafe reality due to the present conditions existing in the region. Even Armenia's successful solution of the energy crisis will not solve future problems: the emission of substances resulting in the "greenhouse effect" contradicts the spirit of the Rio Convention, which Armenia signed in order to pledge to minimize harmful impacts on the environment.

 

Hydropower plants based on water resources have both limited opportunities and capabilities. If some new HPPs are constructed as planned, they will be able to meet the demands of their own district, but not of developing industry. In addition, these HPPs are subject to environmental concerns too, and can provoke negative comments from neighboring states.

 

Alternative sources like wind, solar, and geothermal energy are considered to be the future sources of energy once they are developed enough to make these options economically feasible. However, during the next two decades, the environmental advantages of alternative sources will not be able to outweigh their high costs. After the earthquake in 1988, Armenia carried out experiments with solar and wind energy like no other state in the region, but the results were rather modest. Thus, if constructed, contemporary solar plants will be able to generate only 10% of the electricity needed in Armenia, and this energy will be much more expensive. In short, world experience shows that at present alternative sources of energy cannot generate the volume of electricity required for industry, but can be used as auxiliary power.

 

Nuclear energy can generate much more electricity and has a great potential for growth. Statistics show that nuclear power plants provide 70-80% of the energy generated in developed countries. Uranium is easily transportable and environmentally acceptable if properly treated. However, it requires adherence to strict standards of safety. The problem of its utilization is a serious one even in developed countries. Public opinion polls carried out recently indicated that more than 70% of the Armenian population considers nuclear energy to be a major source of energy in the future.

 

With all these pros and cons, Armenia has to build its energy policy for the coming decades in order to ensure its economic growth. The issue of adequate sources of energy is of vital importance for the well being of Armenia.

 

The most realistic sources are first, traditional (oil and gas) resources, which will become possible after the development of a regional infrastructure, and second, nuclear power (with improved and safer reactors).

 

Maintaining such a flexible balance and providing the opportunities both for solving current problems and ensuring development in the future is an urgent issue for Armenia. The understanding and assistance of neighboring countries in overcoming these problems will definitely help Armenia to pay more attention to environmental protection for the welfare of the whole region.

[Sasun]

The reason Armenian Nuclear Plant is considered a threat to US national security is the cordial relationship of Armenia and nuclear weapon seeking Iran. I think it was last year or a few years ago when Armenia signed an agreement about cooperation, which included cooperation in a military field.

 

Metsamor nuclear fuel is being actively monitored by the Russians and Europeans, it has no chance of getting in the hands of Iranians. That terrorists could somehow attack and steal from Armenia is a silly excuse to close the nuclear plant. Besides, nuclear fuel is largely controlled by Russia, not by Armenia. Iran can always get it from Russia. So I think if the US is going to press Armenia its not because of fear that nuclear material or technology could be passed to Iran from Armenia, but for other reasons, perhaps the military cooperation with Iran also. By the way, neither Russia nor America are happy about the prospective Iran gas pipeline. I think the only reason it could come into reality is if the Russians have significant control over it too. But we will see...

[MJ]

Alpha,

 

Armenia obviously needs new sources of power and gas. No question about it. However, it has to be understood that the availability of old or new NPP does not make that source of power independent of the neighbors. The uranium can be imported to Armenia only from Russia, and each time the plant needs to be refueled, Russia twists Armenia's hands to the degree of putting her on her knees.

The fact of the Armenian Nuclear plant being a threat to the US security is a superficial argument. Iran will have its own nuclear plants and will get uranium from Russia. Armenia has nothing to deliver to Iran in this sense.

 

As to the foreign policy of Armenia in the last several years, I have no arguments with you. The fact of the matter is that in the last several years Armenia has had no foreign policy.

 

As to the last year’s allegations of the US of Armenia supplying whatever "goods" to "terrorist" states, that allegation was not totally baseless. Only I think it was not related to Iran but Syria and it was not related to the nuclear substances, while Armenian government officials were serving the will of their “masters.”

 

As to the momentum with the Iranian gas pipeline deal, I hear about it for 10 years, now. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Sorry, I am tired to go into further details today.

 

P.S. And if to think carefully of it, when the US claims that the Armenian nuclear plants is a "threat to US National Security," assuming that the statement does indeed trace to the US Government, it is a statement about Russia not Armenia.

Edited October 23, 2003 by MJ

[THOTH]

As to the momentum with the Iranian gas pipeline deal, I hear about it for 10 years, now. I'll believe it when I see it.

Yeah agree...a true pipe dream...literally...

[Harut]

sorry to intervene with my short brain...

but it seems to me that the matter is not about Armenia, but US's fear (or just concern) of Russia's gains in the region.

 

althought, i agree that Armenia deffinately needs news sources of energy. it can't rely on an antique nuclear powerplant and few not fully functional hydroplants here and there.

however, closing down the plant within a year or two is a little dangerous. with such situation in the region, it wouldn't be easy to find quick anternatives.

[Sasun]

but it seems to me that the matter is not about Armenia, but US's fear (or just concern) of Russia's gains in the region.

Harut, I think you have a point there. Its all about their interests (Russia, US, Iran, etc). Russia makes no secret of its aggressive plans on energy expansion.

I find it very unfair that the US might even consider paralyzing an already troubled small country like Armenia just because it is good for the US interests. And to claim blatantly that it is threatening to the US security is just disgusting.

But this claim is not a certainty so we don't really know...

[Hyeflyer]

I find the U.S. stance on other countries having nuclear capabilitys strange. Doesnt the U.S. realize that the rest of the world consider them the biggest threat. The securitty at the U.S. plants has been and will be easilly breached. There are no really secure nuclear plants or facillities anywhere on this planet and ALL should be shut down.

[THOTH]

I find the U.S. stance on other countries having nuclear capabilitys strange. Doesnt the U.S. realize that the rest of the world consider them the biggest threat. The securitty at the U.S. plants has been and will be easilly breached. There are no really secure nuclear plants or facillities anywhere on this planet and ALL should be shut down.

Well - I understand how the US is percieved by many...but as for being the biggest threat...well not yet at any rate...and not really - even if the rhetoric might suggest...

 

As for secure nuclear plants...well I don't agree. Most plants are both very secure and very safe. Sure there are some issues - and to me the concern is more with waste disposal and fuel/waste transport...but by and large I do think that we can consder the plants pretty (very) safe and secure....(I am all for alternative fuels BTW...)...but even with these concerns (nuclear waste & safety etc)...we are doing far far worse burning fossile fuels (what can we be thinking here - we are poisining ourselves & quickly). Nuclear safety is a serious concern - but what are our alternatives? And are you aware of the percentage of electric generation in Europe (France in particular) that is from nuclear? Again - what are the (short term ) alternatives?

[Arpa]

Is this a result of the incompetency of political elite of Armenia?

http://www.bellona.no/en/international/rus...tion/31560.html

 

 

Armenian nuclear plant threatens US security

 

The United States has included the closure of the Armenian nuclear reactor in its plans for securing weapons of mass destruction for next year.

 

2003-10-22 13:51

 

According to a recent US State Department report, Armenia last year agreed with the US’ request to shut down its only reactor, which presents a grave environmental risk.

This may yet be the yellowest of yellow journalism ever.

 

"The United States has included the closure of the Armenian nuclear reactor in its plans for securing weapons of mass destruction for next year.

 

2003-10-22 13:51

 

According to a recent US State Department report, Armenia last year agreed with the US’ request to shut down its only reactor, which presents a grave environmental risk. According to the State Department, it has also become a risk for the national security of the US, which feels threatened by potential thefts of Armenian reactor materials and technology by international terrorists, Centran.ru, the Central-Asian news Internet site, reported. However, although the plant is slated for shutdown next year, the report does not specify how much money will be spent on the closure."

Threat to the US?

Do the writers of the above know how far the US is from Metsamor? Unless of course they mean Kars and Ani are US territories.

A classic case of the tail wagging the dog. There is nothing new in the above item, just a simple search will reveal what the Turks have said about the ANPP. If it is not the Genocide issue it is the ANPP, if it is not the Metsamor plant it is Artsakh and the "occupied territories". It does not take a genius to see that the Turks are playing a cat and mouse game, they will find any excuse to squeeze Yerevan. Let them try! Everybody knows what happens when one corners a cat, it, in a desperate attempt will scratch one's eyes out.

Armenia may not have much assets, Metsamor may be its most valuable one. We also remember Ozal's solution to the Armenian question. We remember when he suggested to send a couple of "eggs" over the border. Speaking of eggs, if Metsamor goes poof then those idiots will know the meaning of pollution. Call it a threat, a blackmail, call it our only salvation, literally.

See below and tell us how many NP there are in the world. I could not ascertain how many in the US, it is in the thousands. Click on the links and find out that the world's most industrialized countries have the highest number. France 69 and Japan 54. And most countries listed have adequate sources of alternative energy be it gas, oil, coal, water and wind. Speaking of (hot)wind read the above article again.

Is this all because GB cannot pronounce the word?

Nklr power indeed!! :nuke:

 

 

http://www.nei.org/index.asp?catnum=1&catid=5

[564312]

how about windmills?

[alpha]

http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniarepor...560B50DD838.ASP

 

Armenian, Russian Nuclear Experts Opposed To Metsamor Closure

 

By Atom Markarian

 

The strategic nuclear power station at Metsamor is safe enough to continue to operate for at least 13 more years, Armenia’s and Russia’s leading atomic energy scientists said Friday in a further sign that it will not be shut down soon.

 

Armen Abakian, director of a Moscow-based research institute that works for nuclear plants across Russia, brushed aside Western fears that Metsamor’s sole Soviet-built reactor, exploited since 1980, poses a danger to environment. He argued that the reactor’s operational longevity is 30 years and given the fact that it was not operational between 1989 and 1995 the plant can safely produce electricity at least until 2016.

 

“Such facilities are usually given an extra 15 years of life,” Abakian told a scientific symposium in Yerevan. “Therefore, the Armenian atomic station can function even until 2031.”

 

Abakian’s Armenian counterpart, Vahram Petrosian, made the same point, saying that Metsamor, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of Armenia’s annual energy production, should not be decommissioned before 2016. “I don’t consider its early closure justified,” he said.

 

Petrosian added that Metsamor’s operational safety has been considerably boosted since 1995 with the financial and technical assistance of Western governments and the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

“They are very serious in taking safety measures. There has been no occasion of conflict between us and the authorities; they have been very cooperative,” Massoud Samiei, a senior IAEA official, had told RFE/RL in October 2002.

 

Nonetheless, European Union experts believe that Metsamor’s light-water reactor is one the most dangerous of its kind and is vulnerable to nuclear disasters. The United States largely shares those concerns.

 

The EU had secured in the late 1990s a tentative Armenian pledge to shut down Metsamor by 2004. But official Yerevan has repeatedly stated in recent years that it will not do so without putting in place an alternative source of cheap energy, something which will hardly happen in the near future.

 

Metsamor’s closure has become even more unlikely after Russia’s state-run Unified Energy Systems utility was granted last month its five-year management in exchange for repaying its $40 million debts to Russian nuclear fuel suppliers. “The EU is much more demanding towards others than itself,” UES vice-chairman Andrei Rapoport said as he sealed the deal in Yerevan.

 

According to Abakian, Russian nuclear energy officials and scientists draw encouragement from Armenia’s experience as they fight back Western attempts to have all Soviet-era nuclear plants in Eastern Europe decommissioned. He pointed to the fact that Metsamor is the only nuclear facility in the world that was reactivated after standing idle for six years.

 

“When everyone around the world attacks us, we cite Armenia’s example,” he said. “We say, ‘See, they made an experiment and it worked.’”

[gamavor]

Junk food and american beer pose serious health hazards to Armenian national security. Therefore, I demand without any further notice that all American fast food chains and restoraunts and beer breweries to be closed.

[MJ]

how about windmills?

 

Windmills would be nice things to have, given that we have more than enough Poncho Sanchezes. It remains only to resognise someone’s status on the capacity of Don Quixote.

Edited October 25, 2003 by MJ