February 23, 1978
Note regarding the Meeting between State Secretary Haunschild and the President of the AEOI, Dr. Etemad, on 23 February 1978 in Vienna
This document was made possible with support from Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY)
[Federal Ministry for Research and Technology]
Confidential - For internal use only
Note:
Regarding the Meeting between State Secretary Haunschild[1] and the President of the AEOI[2], Dr. Etemad[3], on 23 February 1978 in Vienna
At the beginning of the multi-hour meeting, where from the Iranian side only President Etemad (E) and on the German side next to State Secretary Haunschild (H) only VLR I Rouget[4] and MinDirig Loosch[5] participated, H. explained the current situation regarding construction of German nuclear power plants, the preparations for a German nuclear waste disposal center, and the international discussion over waste disposal, especially reprocessing. He made clear that the German disposal concept is currently resting on reprocessing contracts with the French company COGEMA[6], since a German waste disposal center could operate only by about 1990. According to current assessment, and with the utilization of appropriate and available temporary storage options, an Iranian demand for reprocessing also would arise at that time. In the current situation, it is hard to imagine to create the conditions for building a German waste disposal center - which will become necessary -, if there is only a faint hint that the German center will have to provide disposal services for foreign countries. This does also apply, if - like it is undisputed in the case of Iran - the highly radioactive waste will be returned after a reprocessing of radiated nuclear fuel elements back to the customer country (this is to Iran in this case). Thus definitive talks about the written demands raised by Iran at the occasion of signing the pre-agreement over the export of 4 additional nuclear power plants by KWU[7] to the AEOI should be postponed to a time when fuel elements from these nuclear power plants are actually due for reprocessing.
E. replied that the situation regarding international nuclear energy transactions of a country like Iran is characterized by a multitude of written options. Its implementation, however, seems to evaporate in the moment when they are becoming interesting for the customer. This is why Iran is aiming at clear-cut options, for instance regarding reprocessing services whose implementation solely depends on its [Iran] own decision. Such options Iran has received from France (COGEMA) in correct and concise form concerning the reprocessing of fuel elements from nuclear power plants Iran 3 and Iran 4. Something similar Iran will also need from Germany with regard to the nuclear power plants delivered by KWU. He is having much understanding for the current domestic German situation, which currently is an obstacle to a specific commitment of services. However, Iran does obviously need the certainty to be in the same situation regarding waste disposal of Iranian KWU nuclear power plants from the Federal Republic of Germany, as the Federal Republic deems it necessary for its own nuclear power plants and thus establishes such for its own demand.
E. agreed to review the text of a possible letter (version approved by the Cabinet Committee without bracket addition) handed to him by H. in light of this basic demand and discuss it in Tehran. The talks with H. could then probably be continued on the 10th of March in Bonn when he, E., has to come anyways to Germany concerning the cooperation agreement with the Urangesellschaft [UG][8]. He [H.] can unfortunately not participate in the meetings with Iranian Minister for the Economy and Finance Yeganeh[9] on 13 March in Bonn because he [H.] has already announced his participation in the JAIF Congress[10] in Tokyo.
Addition:
On 24 February I informed Mr. Barthelt[11], KWU, in general because of his immediately upcoming trip to Tehran. He will show himself informed vis-a-vis Dr. Etemad but will leave the further talks to us.
Also on 24 February, I have asked Mr. von Kienlin, UG, on the phone to propose to the Iranian side to sign the UG Agreement on the 10th of March in Bonn because of the government letter exchange in need to be signed simultaneously. He agreed depending on confirmation after internal talks with his board, but he mentioned that the UG would then be happy to invite the Iranians and the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology for the evening of the 10th of March to Kronberg[12].
[signed Haunschild]
[1] Hans-Hilger Haunschild (1928-2012), State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology from 1972 to 1987.
[2] Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
[3]Akbar Etemad (born 1930). President of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran 1974 to 1979.
[4] West German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[5] West German Ministry of Economic Affairs.
[6] Compagnie générale des matières nucléaires [General Company of Nuclear Matters], French nuclear company.
[7] German Kraftwerk Union (KWU). Subsidiary of Siemens and AEG Corporations for nuclear power plant construction.
[8] “Uranium Society”, German company based in Frankfurt.
[9] Mohammed Yeganeh (1923-1995), Minister of Finance of Iran 1977/1978, emigrated to the United States in November 1978.
[10] Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, annual conference on civilian use of nuclear energy.
[11] Klaus Barthelt (1926-2008), Chairman of the Board of the KWU.
[12] Posh village in Taunus Hills outside of Frankfurt.
The French began working on this project again. The two sides compare how Iran is doing compared to other countries in nuclear energy. Berthelt will conduct further dialogue with President Etemad.
Author(s):
Associated People & Organizations
Associated Places
Associated Topics
Document Information
Source
Original Archive
Rights
The History and Public Policy Program welcomes reuse of Digital Archive materials for research and educational purposes. Some documents may be subject to copyright, which is retained by the rights holders in accordance with US and international copyright laws. When possible, rights holders have been contacted for permission to reproduce their materials.
To enquire about this document's rights status or request permission for commercial use, please contact the History and Public Policy Program at [email protected].
Original Uploaded Date
Language
Record ID
Original Classification
Confidential