By Kevin Jardine or Mary MacNutt TORONTO — When France and China tested nuclear weapons this year the Canadian government expressed official "regret". However, PM Jean Chretien's effort to sell the Chinese government two nuclear reactors completely contradicts this position. According to Greenpeace, the Canadian government, despite its diplomatic line that it supports an end to the use of nuclear weapons, has continued to assist in the proliferation of nuclear weapons. In much the same way that Canadian uranium sales to France assist Jacques Chirac's nuclear weapons build-up, Chretien's nuclear deals with China could support that country's growing arsenal. Nuclear deals with China tacitly condone their nuclear weapons testing program which has released massive and widespread radio active fall-out on its citizens. The health and environmental effects of these tests have never been fully documented. Nuclear co-operation with China threatens to derail progress towards negotiation of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) something the Canadian government has said it officially supports.
Reactors
The CANDU reactor produces plutonium, the explosive heart of every nuclear weapon. CANDUs possess on-line refuelling capability which means the reactor continues to operate while fuel is being removed and inserted. This avoids tell-tale shutdown signs that nuclear material is being removed from a reactor for use in nuclear weapons. And because CANDU reactors use natural uranium, fuel enrichment is not required. Since uranium enrichment is difficult and expensive, this may make it easier for a CANDU owner to build a bomb. Another serious problem with nuclear co-operation with China is that Beijing may be aiding and abetting other countries in their quest to obtain nuclear weapons. In 1990, the United States imposed a ban on nuclear sales to China for just this reason. Iran and Pakistan are among those countries with which China deals its nuclear technology. It is irresponsible of Canada to enter into nuclear trade with China while that country is potentially fuelling the proliferation of nuclear weapons. China has used its 43 nuclear tests to develop the world's fourth largest nuclear weapons arsenal. Since the program began in 1964 an underground test has occurred, on average, once every 284 days. The tests have taken place at the Lop Nor site in the Xinjjian region, home to the Uighur people, in the far western part of the country. The Chinese government has never allowed any form of independent or outside assessment of the impact on human health or the environment. However, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War estimate that 48 kilograms of plutonium-239 have been released from Lop Nor. One millionth of a gram of plutonium-239, if inhaled, can cause cancer. China has said it will carry out four or five more nuclear tests this year. These tests are central to the qualitative development of new systems, one for deployment in the late 1990s, and one around 2010. China is also developing a new sea-launched ballistic missile (JL-2) for deployment on its second generation strategic nuclear-powered submarine. In May, China also tested a new ballistic missile with a range of 2000 kilometres.
Uranium
Canadian actions which contribute to the spread of nuclear weapons are not isolated to the dealings with China. Canada already plays a large role assisting France's nuclear program. Uranium mined in northern Saskatchewan, refined in Ontario and exported to France, ends up in one nuclear stockpile used for both peaceful and military uses. Without Canada's help France would have to turn to much more expensive sources of uranium. Canadian nuclear technology enabled India to produce the nuclear material it used to develop its nuclear bomb. India insists that this bomb is to be used for "peaceful nuclear explosions". Now China is pushing for the right to continue nuclear explosions after a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is signed. Canada's record at disarmament talks is also questionable. At the conference to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty earlier this year, the Canadian government pushed aggressively for an indefinite and unconditional extension of the treaty. When the conference agreed, the world lost an opportunity to hold the nuclear weapons states accountable to their promises of disarmament. Only three days after committing itself, at the conference, to exercise "utmost restraint" in nuclear weapons testing, China detonated another nuclear test. The Canadian government's latest effort to sell nuclear technology sounds yet another alarm that it is more interested supporting an environmentally dangerous and economically inefficient technology that stopping the spread of nuclear weapons systems. The product it is trying to sell represents an environmental and economic threat to any purchaser. CANDU reactors are more expensive than other nuclear reactors because they need heavy water for their operations. Cost over-runs and declining performance have plagued most CANDUs and they require expensive modifications.
Reactor accidents
The CANDU and its prototypes have experienced some of the world's most serious accidents. In June 1995, a design flaw which had caused several accidents was discovered, a flaw that could have lead to the melting of reactor fuel. In just five years, the CANDUs in Ontario experienced over 900 incidents severe enough to require reporting. Even if a severe accident is avoided, routine radioactive pollution from CANDU reactors can lead to environmental and public health problems. Radioactive contamination is impossible to see, smell or taste, and while its health effects may take years to show up it is still deadly. This latest deal comes at the expense of Canadian taxpayers who have already provided over $12 billion in subsidies to the nuclear industry. Despite cuts to social programs and pressure for deficit reduction, Prime Minister Chretien plans to provide the lions share of the $3.2 billion cost of these reactors through export and commercial credits. China would then repay this amount over 20 years — possibly through payment in Chinese made goods. Past overseas deals involving CANDU reactors have resulted in concessionary rates, grants or loans being written off. Details of the loan arrangement with China have not yet been announced. China has a huge and growing need for electricity production. Canada could invest in sustainable renewable technologies for export to developing nations. Canada is a potential leader in numerous technologies including hydrogen-powered fuecient buildings and appliances and sustainably produced biomass energy crops. A commitment to develop and export these technologies could lift us forever out of the nuclear age.