Russian "Atomenergoprom" and Japanese corporation "Toshiba" signed a framework agreement in the sphere of peaceful nuclear energy cooperation. Russia considers this step to be a beginning of a large-scale cooperation that will be profitable for the consumers all over the world.
Meanwhile, there were no any concrete details of the future cooperation adduced. Text of the official press-release, spread by mass media controlled by "Rosatom", contains information about the beginning of "technical and economic assessment of cooperation in different spheres".
First details of the possible cooperation, which leaked into the press, don't inspire. For example, appeared proposals to farm out heavy equipment production for Primorskaya NPP to Japanese corporation for logistic reasons. But there is no any response from the Japanese site, such as an access to the NPP building market in Japan.
"Toshiba" may become not a very fortunate ally for Russian nuclear scientists, but surely will become their bitter enemy. "Westinghouse" controlled by Japanese is slow and sure regrouping its powers in East Europe, preparing for driving out Russian "TVEL" from that business. And in Kazakhstan Japanese-American alliance is trying to stop uranium export to Russia and to redirect uranium resources of the Republic to servicing the needs of "Westinghouse".
Allegedly, "Atomenergoexport" could propose Japanese corporation its services in the sphere of a nuclear fuel cycle. There is some point in that. But the problem is that Japan will be a full member of the American GNEP initiative, within this initiative some dangerous tendencies for the Russian nuclear fuel cycle are taking shapes.
Perhaps, the only argument for the cooperation with "Toshiba" might be a desire to exert pressure upon the Unite States, which, you know, have stopped a signing procedure of "123" treaty with Russia. Washington may become more compliant indeed if realizes, that Moscow is capable of managing without Russian-American nuclear friendship.
Such geopolitical manipulations, surely, have a right for existence and even under certain circumstances and proper tactics are able to bring profit. Most important thing is to estimate all possible consequences and not to become similar to the well-known character, which has cut off his nose to spite his face.
SOURCE: Vladimir Rychin, AtomInfo.Ru
DATE: March 28, 2008