Prof. Muhammad Wasim
I happened to view the news article on the given title and was shocked at the approach of the author. Countries decide in favor of their benefits political, economic or in the basis of developing closer ties with allies for cooperation and regional peace and mutual well being, peace and economic growth and development being the core concerns.
The author discussed about Western countries tightening grip of sanctions over Russian corporation Rosatom and recent developments in US as the US Congress, has proposed complete rejection of energy imports from the Russian Federation, with possible intensions to ban the import of uranium.
Without properly building narrative and showing the probable risks involved the author poses the question regarding (as though) insanity of the Uzbek government for going into contract with Rosatom and suggesting cancellation of the possible agreement fearing possible US embargo.
The author is fearful about possible impact on “affect Russian partners in trade” as a result of such an embargo.
The author has rightly pointed out that since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine the America had imposed a complete ban on the import of energy resources from Russia: oil, petroleum products, coal, etc., adding a price ceiling on offshore oil exports.
That uranium was not included in the embargo list and that US congressmen intend to impose an embargo on the Russian company Rosatom mentioning
Statement of the Chairman of the CHR of the US Congress, Jeff Duncan.The draft embargo, the US nuclear industry is able to abandon Russian uranium.
In view of the circumstances a ban on all energy sources of Russian origin, including uranium can be expected. A sanctions package against Rosatom is in process.
It is also said that Washington is hoping to activate the “Nuclear Fuel Safety Program”. Allocations of $ 3.5 billion will be allocated to increase production, conversion, enrichment, and reconversion of uranium in the United States. Plan includes the construction of new HALEU-type reactors, as well as deepening cooperation in this in this sphere with allies.
Tashkent must have thought over how far it can be difficult to work cooperating with Rosatom either the curtailment of peaceful atomic projects, or a serious deterioration in economic partnership with the United States.
The approval of the “anti-uranium” sanctions package can surely have impact on the ongoing projects in close cooperation with Rosatom.
The Uzbekistan is a state with relatively easily accessible uranium reserves and had embarked upon modernization of its energy system.
Uzbek shift from French “Orano Mining”, together with Uzbek “Nurlikum Mining” to working with Rosatom in the construction of a nuclear plant must have sound reasons. Whatever might be the risks the leadership of Uzbekistan have every right to decide in favor of the Russians. Besides, numerous other factors must have contributed to such drastic changes in policy shift. Favourable conditions promised by the Russian Government and regional coordination alongside package offered to Uzbekistan must have helped a long way reaching at the agreement.
Decision regarding project at the Lake Tuskan in the Jizzakh region and the like are also prerogative of the Uzbek government. It is a fact that long duration agreements are never helpful to any nation. Instead of a ten year long agreement it is better to have smaller duration agreements with precautions that there will be no trouble in procurement of needed supplies to complete the projects and run safely. Dependence on business partner should be minimum to keep it safe and risk free. Europe and it’s allies including US might be thinking of shifting from Russian dependence of energy resources to reduce possible future threat energy shortage but it never means Russian role will end so easy.
However, Tashkent to reconsider any unresolved issued pointed out by the author regarding “reprocessing fuel waste for the extraction of plutonium and uranium. The project proposed by Rosatom during the operation of a nuclear power plant for pumping liquid radioactive waste underground poses a threat to the environment for several hundred years, thereby becoming a problem of present and future generations, which requires enormous financial resources to solve”.
In my opinion Green Energy projects and renewable energy Eco-friendly technologies are good and should remain on list of development projects rather than throwing down in cold storage. It is worth serious concern for any Uzbek why was Solar power Plant project of Samarkand region dropped after it was all planned and sorted out? Is this decision linked to atomic negotiations with Moscow?
Another issue correctly raised by the author is his concern regarding “the NPP construction project as fatal and replete with environmental risks associated with threats to the bio-diversity of Lake Tuzkan and the Aidar-Arnasai system of lakes . Moreover, the high seismic activity of the Jizzakh region and the entire territory of Uzbekistan as a whole increases radiation risks that can put the project in jeopardy and lead to unforeseen consequences.”
It is convenient to have trouble free energy resources and risk free environment instead of putting to danger the public by exposing to ecological hazards.
