Pages 15-17 from FCO 661098 - Nuclear Suppliers Group 1978
Description
The document is a summary of a conversation regarding the future of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the issues surrounding South Africa and India. The main points discussed are as follows:
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There is opposition from Germany and France to holding another NSG meeting before the end of INFCE.
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The French expressed concerns about further institutionalization of the group and the risk of developing countries becoming overly reliant on it, potentially leading to interference in domestic nuclear policies.
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The Germans shared similar arguments against another meeting and appeared to have consulted with the French on a common line. The Russians were interested in a meeting but acknowledged the French opposition.
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The United States (U.S.) is not currently inclined to press for another meeting. Instead, they proposed that supplier countries issue unilateral statements on their own positions regarding certain aspects of supply, such as research reactors and the transfer of enrichment technology.
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The U.K. suggested circulating proposed language on French reactors to relevant countries, followed by consultation with concerned governments and then circulating proposals to the NSG as a whole. The discussion on full-scope safeguards could be reviewed based on progress with the research reactor and enrichment technology proposals.
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Regarding South Africa, there is guarded optimism that they may sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and accept safeguards on their enrichment plant. The French provided information suggesting that the South Africans were more interested in reaching a compromise.
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On India, the recent action by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has damaged the chances of getting India to accept full-scope safeguards. Efforts will be made to emphasize that these safeguards are not as burdensome as perceived by the Indians. There is interest in exploring connections between inspection arrangements for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification and the Indian situation.