Nuclear Turkey

The Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed between the United States and Turkey in 2000 and prohibits Turkey from exploiting cooperation for any purposes which would help her develop military nuclear capabilities, has recently been ratified by the Turkish government.

The Agreement is seen as diplomatic triumph for the U.S., which seeks bringing Turkey's nuclear program under its direct control and influence, whereas, for Turkey, it's nothing but a weak attempt to develop civilian nuclear capabilities.

A recent UPI analysis, discussing Turkey's plans to build three nuclear power plants over the next decade, stated that the country lacks a nuclear regulatory agency it needs to establish as separate from the licensing authority before any project is implemented.

During his recent visit to Turkey, The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, stated that "extensive and rigorous planning is essential, with `cradle-to-grave` considerations ranging from up-front financing and licensing all the way through decommissioning and the future disposition of spent fuel and waste," according to a spokesman for the UN nuclear watchdog.

"The general situation is this: The IAEA is never in a position to endorse or (prevent) a country's launch into nuclear power," the spokesman, who demanded anonymity added.

"We only have an advisory role."

The agency can only conduct feasibility studies for the area allocated for a nuclear plant. "If the area is flooded by monsoon rains, for instance, we might suggest that (building a nuclear plant there) is not the best idea," the spokesman said.

"Once a country decides on its own to (venture into) nuclear power, the IAEA has an optional service to help the countries build a nuclear safety regime, including seismic studies done according to the latest standards," he said.

"So far, almost all countries have taken advantage of this service"

And Turkish officials have already made clear their interest.

Contrary to what some news reports stated about no sites being allocated for nuclear power plants in Turkey, the IAEA spokesman said that Sinop in northern Turkey was a likely to become a site for those projects, facing great opposition from locals and environmentalists.

Officials have earlier suggested a site in southeastern Turkey, but the suggestion was rejected due to the fact that the site sat on a seismic fault line, and Greenpeace activists protested Turkish plans to build a nuclear power plant there.

UPI said that the official from the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency could not provide further information on Turkey's nuclear plans. Also the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources officials did not return telephone calls inquiring into the matter.

But the country started earlier this year to step up its nuclear ambitions.

"Except for Finland, no Western countries have established nuclear power plants since 1978," Turkish Press report quoted Middle East Technical University chemistry professor Inci Gokmen as saying.

"Nuclear plants contain extremely complicated technologies. Also, Turkey will have to import fuel for those power plants ... we should benefit from domestic and renewable energy sources instead," he added.

But Zafer Caglayan, chairman of Turkey`s Ankara Chamber of Industry defended the country's nuclear aspirations saying:

"Those who oppose the establishment of nuclear power plants in Turkey should not forget that there have already been plants (established) in neighboring countries ... nuclear power plants in Turkey will create a great atmosphere for investments," the report quoted Zafer Caglayan as saying.

Some analysts attributed Turkey`s efforts to acquire nuclear power to the country's growing energy consumption and lack of natural resources.