Global Nuclear Energy Partnership

We’re really not hearing much about this in the mainstream media, or anywhere else, for that matter. But we should be. For one thing – it probably explains why John Howard seized upon the nuclear power initiative as the big election winner. I mean – it wasn’t like John Howard to pick on a topic that is pretty unpopular with the electorate. People are swallowing the pro-uranium hype – but a general anxiety exists about nuclear power.
So – why is John Howard spruiking up nuclear power?
Well, coincidentally, on the same day, George W. Bush launched the GNEP – with four countries participating. The deal. beginning with the US and Japan, of course includes Bush’s only remaining anti-Kyoto ally – Australia. The GNEP deal purports to address global warming, and “clean, safe” nuclear power, and nuclear waste management. It will simplify waste management, and reduce nuclear proliferation – tum ta da!
What it really does is provide a multitude of promises, and incentives to the nuclear industry. In particular, it pledges that that U.S. taxpayers will generously compensate any companies that lose money on the deals.
The GNEP’s nuclear waste management proposals would allow large quantities of cesium 135 -- a radionuclide with a half life of 2.3 million years -- to be disposed in the near surface and pose serious contamination problems for many thousands of years.
John Howard has to bring Australian public opinion into line before APEC summit hosted by Howard in September. John Howard has to make it look as if it’s not just George W. Bush who likes this plan – it has to look as if we like it, too!

Thanks for that ChristinaMac. One should have known this greedy little man was up to no good!

Mmmmm.....I wonder how we'll "recycle" his 25 nuke reactors in 50 years time when the uranium's run out?

Or the scores of lethal radioactive tailings dams he and others plan to leave for our children to monitor for perpetuity?

Blimey - and to think I helped put this fraud in office. So much for the gullible public!