Yahoo News 12 Aug 09;
GENEVA (AFP) – A senior US official acknowledged on Wednesday that the growing demand for atomic energy in response to climate change was adding to the challenges of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
"Some people are calling this a nuclear renaissance, it's very much in vogue," said Susan Burk, the US president's special representative for nuclear non-proliferation in what she termed her first public presentation.
The peaceful use of atomic energy is one of the three pillars of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), allowing countries that have signed up the right to the peaceful use of nuclear power in return for disarmament or giving up weapons ambitions.
"Strengthening this pillar of the treaty is more important than ever, especially when one considers the renewed interest in nuclear power as a response to climate change, energy security and the promotion of sustainable development," Burk said.
The challenge was to ensure that the world would not be "creating proliferation when we turn the lights on."
US President Barack Obama is examining new steps, including an international fuel bank, that could allow countries to gain access to civilian nuclear power without developing their own complex fuel production capability, Burk said.
Many Western nations suspect Iran is trying to develop an atomic arsenal under cover of its power programme, which includes the domestic production of enriched nuclear fuel.
Iran insists its program is peaceful and aims to meet the country's growing energy needs.
Burk called for steps to tackle "abuse" of the NPT and shore it up, warning that the international community's record in tackling breaches has been "poor."
"The costs of violating this treaty must outweigh the benefits. Non-compliance must be met with real consequences," she said at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
Burk also indicated that the United States had not exhausted all the possibilities of dealing with the stand-offs with Iran and North Korea through the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday highlighted "the possibility of establishing a multilateral nuclear fuel supply mechanism."
Traditionally, Western countries have been sceptical of the idea, also raised by Russia.
