urg::: Aust can stop 'irresponsible' Chinese uranium use: Downer

[Len Kanaar - FoE Sydney]

ABC

Last Update: Friday, September 2, 2005. 6:36am (AEST)

Aust can stop 'irresponsible' Chinese uranium use: Downer

Australia can use its position as the world's largest source of 
obtainable uranium to pursue nuclear non-proliferation, Foreign 
Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says.

Mr Downer has told a South Australian gathering that nuclear energy 
is a reality in countries like China, but probably will not be used 
in Australia for some time.

The Government is negotiating to supply uranium to China.

Mr Downer says the Government will ensure any uranium exported to 
China is not used to make weapons.

"I'm optimistic about the negotiations," Mr Downer said.

"I think China needs the uranium and it's much better they buy the 
uranium from us with our strict safeguards, than buy it from somebody 
who doesn't impose the safeguards and then it can be used more 
irresponsibly."

Mr Downer says he is confident negotiations to supply uranium can be 
wrapped up by the end of next year.

He says that by 2020, Chinese demand for uranium could be equal to 
Australia's entire annual export performance.

Mr Downer says Australia will have a key role in supplying China.

"China has such a voracious appetite for energy, it has to use a 
diversity of different types of energy generation, power generation 
and one of them is going to have to be nuclear power," he said.


© 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation