5 July 2007
Mr. Taro Aso
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Questions regarding transfer to Indonesia of nuclear reactors and related material, equipment and technology
Japanese government policy, as stated in Japan's Nuclear Power National Plan, released in August 2006, is to "actively support the global development of the Japanese nuclear industry". Minimum necessary conditions for the transfer to foreign countries of nuclear-related material, equipment and technology, including nuclear reactors, are as follows: the recipient country is politically stable; there is a low risk of terror; laws for the prevention of nuclear proliferation, including a bilateral cooperation agreement, are in place. Since your department is deeply involved in these issues, we address the following questions to you.
1) Japan and Indonesia have not concluded a bilateral agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Will such an agreement be concluded in future? If so, when do you expect that it will be concluded?
2) Has nuclear-related material and/or equipment been transferred to Indonesia in the past? If so, is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aware of the details? If it is, we request that full details be provided in writing.
3) The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry commissioned the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to carry out a study into the potential for introducing nuclear power to Indonesia and Vietnam. A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Japan and Indonesia is included as an appendix to JETRO's March 2007 report. Has this MoU been signed? If so, we request that it be made publicly available.
4) Indonesia is a member of the NPT and a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA and an Additional Protocol are in force. However Indonesia is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), it has not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) or the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and it has not signed the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter. We request that you clarify whether your department regards the implementation of these agreements and systems as a necessary condition for the transfer from Japan of nuclear-related materials and equipment.
5) At the very minimum, Japanese companies should not be permitted to engage in activities involving the transfer to Indonesia of nuclear reactors or nuclear-related materials, equipment and technology until these necessary conditions have been fulfilled. We request that your department clarify its position on this point.
6) It is said that Indonesia is the stronghold of Islamic terrorism in South-East Asia. With US support, large-scale anti-terrorism operations are unfolding. It is likely that strong security and policing arrangements will be introduced in response to the danger that nuclear facilities such as nuclear reactors, as well as nuclear materials such as spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste will become terrorist targets. The UN Human Rights Commission has criticized Indonesia for violating human rights in its anti-terrorism operations. There is a possibility that the construction of a nuclear power plant will lead to a new public order campaign and more human rights abuses. Furthermore, guarding core industries such as this has become a business for Indonesia's military and police. There is international criticism that this has led to human rights abuses in Aceh and Papua. We request that your department clarify its understanding regarding this risk.
We look forward to your department's response.
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs
Greenpeace Japan
No Nukes Asia Forum Japan
Network for Indonesian Democracy, Japan
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