Atomic Energy Agency vows to oversee western submarine program

The International Atomic Energy Agency (EIA) warned Tuesday of the risks of a proliferation of nuclear submarine programs launched by the US, UK and Australia.

“In the long term, the agency (AEIA) must ensure that there is no proliferation risk associated with this project,” said UN body director general Rafael Grossi.

“The legal obligations of the parties involved and non-proliferation issues are of paramount importance,” he added.

To take on the People’s Republic of China in the Pacific, Washington, London and Canberra formed an alliance known as AUKUS, which was formalized on Monday.

The alliance was announced 18 months ago and sparked outrage in France because the Parisian government ended up losing contracts to sell submarines to the Australian state.

The new AUKUS alliance also foresees joining forces to create a new generation of nuclear submarines following the planned acquisition of several aircraft by the Canberra government.

The Beijing government considers the new strategy “dangerous.”

Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the United States and the United Kingdom, which possess nuclear weapons, are required to inform the IAEA of “international transfers of nuclear energy” to states that do not have the same capabilities as Australia. ,

Thus, the Canberra government should enter into a “special agreement” with the IAEA for the use of nuclear equipment and materials, namely nuclear submarines, Grossi said.

“This process involves serious and complex legal issues,” said the director of the IAEA, which guarantees surveillance and verification “in defense of non-proliferation” impartially and with full “transparency.”

In this sense, the first contacts between Australia and Grossi will be reflected in a report to be presented at the next IAEA meeting in June.