NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS PROBLEMS IN DIRECT DISPOSAL

The construction and operation of plants in the closed nuclear fuel cycle so far has rarely played a role in the public debate with respect to nuclear safeguards. Although nuclear opponents again and again warned against possible diversion and abuse scenarios in the nuclear fuel cycle, the builders and operators of such nuclear fuel cycle plants were certain that the requirements arising to them out of the obligations under the NPT and the Euratom Treaty can be met by technical measures. The decision taken by the German power industry to discontinue reprocessing in the Federal Republic, and the trend to put more emphasis on the direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel elements in the future, has added a new facet to the safeguards discussion. While the nuclear opponents have failed to recognize, or decided to ignore, the problem, those involved in its technical aspects realize that they are in for some absolutely new requirements, for which there exists no technical parallels.