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Updated July 2008
Belarus: Nuclear Chronology
2008
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
January 2008
On 15 January 2008, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenka announced an official political decision by Minsk to move forward with nuclear power plant construction. [1] The nuclear plant is set to consist of two third generation water-cooled water-moderated reactors. Belarus expects to commission the first unit by 2016 and the second unit shortly thereafter.[2] Several potential construction sites, Krasnopolyanskaya and Kukshinovskaya, both in Mogilyov region, are currently under review with preliminary work projected to start in early 2009. However, the site at Krasnopolyanskaya may not be suitable for the nuclear plant due to cesium contamination.[3]
— Sources: [1] "Razvitiye atomnoi energetiki yavlyauyetsya vazneishim faktorom obespecheniya energeticheskoy bezopasnosti strany" (Development of nuclear energy is the most important factor of providing for the country's energy security), president of Belarus website, 15 January 2008, http://president.gov.by/press50069.print.html.[2] "Postanovleniye Soveta Bezopasnosti Respubliki Belarus nomer 1 ot 31 yanvarya 2008 goda" (Resolution 1 of the Belarusian Security Council), president of Belarus website, 31 January 2008, http://president.gov.by/press50820.print.html. [3] David R. Marples, "The Energy Dilemma of Belarus: The Nuclear Power Option," Eurasian Geography and Economics, 49/2, 2008, pp. 215-227.
May 2008
In May 2008, experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a three day visit to Belarus to assist with site selection for the nuclear power plant.[1] Belarusian government officials have reiterated that Agency experts have been consulted on strengthening the regulatory system, on drafting nuclear energy legislation as well as training of cadres for the nuclear project.[2]
— Sources: [1] "IAEA to oversee Belarus nuclear plant project," RIA Novosti, 6 May 2008, http://en.rian.ru/world/20080506/106670150.html. [2] Anya Loukianova, "Belarus takes a second look at nuclear energy," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists online, 9 July 2008, http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/belarus-takes-a-second-look-nuclear-energy.
June-July 2008
Belarus has officially invited Russia's Atomstroyexport, Franco-German Areva-Siemens, and the Japanese-US consortium Toshiba-Westinghouse to take part in the forthcoming nuclear power plant tender. Meanwhile, there are other ongoing anti-nuclear campaigns in Mogilyov region, which have collected over 2,500 signatures as of June 2008. On 11 July, Lukashenka signed a decree number 378 on the establishment of a nuclear energy department within the Belarusian Energy Ministry.
— Sources: [1] "Russia's Atomstroyexport approached by Belarus on construction of NPP," Interfax, 9 June 2008. [2] "Belarusians collect signatures against plans to build nuclear power plant," Belapan, 13 June 2008. [3] "Belarusian president sets up nuclear energy department," Belapan, 11 July 2008.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
