Cablegate: Civil Nuclear Working Group Information Request:

R 141233Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0781
USDOC WASHDC

UNCLAS SANAA 001990

DEPARTMENT FOR T:MHUMPHREY AND NEA/ARP:AMACDONALD
COMMERCE FOR SLOPP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO YM
SUBJECT: CIVIL NUCLEAR WORKING GROUP INFORMATION REQUEST:
YEMENI RESPONSE

REF: STATE 127423

In response to reftel, post provides the following
information from Vice Chairman Mustafa Bahran of the Yemeni
National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC).

-- While the ROYG is considering pursuing development of
nuclear power, any plans are purely speculative at this
point. Yemen has no nuclear power related facilities.

-- The ROYG is considering pursuing nuclear energy to shore
up energy security as its oil output declines. (Note: Most
electricity in Yemen is currently generated by diesel fueled
plants. The ROYG hopes to use the country's previously
under-exploited natural gas reserves to generate electricity
but is aware that these reserves, like the petroleum
reserves, are limited. End Note.)

-- It is too soon to forecast how the ROYG would pursue
nuclear power. (Note: Bahran told POL/E Chief that he finds
it unlikely that the ROYG would be interested in owning or
operating the plants or in seeking financing from
international organizations. End Note.)

-- The key nuclear decision making body is the NAEC. It is
chaired by Prime Minister Ali Mujawar. (Note: Bahran is the
Deputy Chair and oversees day-to-day operations. End Note.)
Other NAEC members include Minister of Electricity and Energy
Awadh Sa'ad al-Socatri, Minister of Public Health and
Population Abdelkarim Ras'e, Minister of Finance Numan
al-Suhaibi, and Minister of Oil and Minerals Ameer
al-Arderous.

-- The NAEC is the existing nuclear regulatory authority. It
has a staff of 84 technical employees and has considerable
inspection/enforcement authority in pursuit of illegal
import/export of nuclear and radiological sources.

-- The country does not have a nuclear liability law in
place. A draft law is under consideration by the Parliament.
(Note: Post will attempt to obtain a copy of the draft law
and forward it. End Note.)

-- The country has no manufacturing base involved in
nuclear-related products. It seems unlikely that components
or contracting services for nuclear plants could be sourced
locally.

-- Yemen has no appreciable nuclear trained workforce and no
program for training of domestic personnel in this area
exists. Any development of civil nuclear energy would
require a significant foreign workforce.

-- Yemen has no current or anticipated nuclear tenders.

-- It is too early to foresee any nuclear sector
opportunities for U.S. industry.

-- N/A

-- There are no formal agreements with any nuclear supplier
countries.

-- (Note: Bahran did not specify what any political
considerations would be, but indicated that he believed there
would be some. End Note.)

SECHE

NNNN

End Cable Text

Marc A Humphrey 02/02/2009 04:33:30 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

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