Can Russia be trusted with our uranium?

Mar. 22, 2010 08:26AM PST

The Age.com reports in a 2005 survey of 1200 Australians found that 56% of them believe that the IAEA’s nuclear ‘safeguards’ system is ineffective.
Mr Ferguson asserts that “the safeguards enshrined in the Agreement are consistent with Australia’s long-standing and strict requirements to ensure the peaceful use of Australian uranium.” But that is precisely the problem, Mr Ferguson […]

The Age.com reports in a 2005 survey of 1200 Australians found that 56% of them believe that the IAEA’s nuclear ‘safeguards’ system is ineffective.

Mr Ferguson asserts that “the safeguards enshrined in the Agreement are consistent with Australia’s long-standing and strict requirements to ensure the peaceful use of Australian uranium.” But that is precisely the problem, Mr Ferguson – Australia exports uranium with no requirement for IAEA inspections to take place.
Moreover, the Howard-Putin agreement makes no provision for independent, Australian inspection and verification and we are therefore totally dependent on IAEA safeguards – which are non-existent! It would be funny if it wasn’t true … and if it didn’t involve feedstock for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

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