ARMATOMENERGO

This organization no longer exists.  Before the reopening of the Metsamor nuclear power plant in October 1995, Armatomenergo's 24-person staff was responsible for the operation of all nuclear facilities in Armenia.  After the Metsamor nuclear power plant was reopened, Armatomenergo's responsibilities were assumed by the Department of Nuclear Energy of the Ministry of Energy and the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Armgosatomnadzor.
Sources:
[1] CNS Discussion with Armenian government official, September 1997.
[2] Correspondence with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, Washington D.C., November 1995.
[3] Segodnya, 30 December 1993, p. 8.
[4] Source Book: Soviet Designed Nuclear Power Plants in  Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Armenia, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria, 4th edition, Nuclear Energy Institute, Washington D.C., 1996, p. 203.
[5] Teresa Sabonis-Chafee, Preliminary Report on Armenia, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 10 May 1996.

ARMGOSATOMNADZOR (ARMENIAN NUCLEAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY)

On 16 November 1993, Armgosatomnadzor was established pursuant to governmental decree No. 573.  It was responsible for licensing the restart of the Metsamor nuclear power plant.  It supervises all nuclear safety issues and reports to the Prime Minister.  Since March 1994, Russia has given Armgosatomnadzor financial and technical assistance for refurbishing Metsamor.  The G-7 also has given some financial aid to Armgosatomnadzor, but has expressed a preference for assisting the development of Armenian oil and gas reserves rather than building up Armenia's nuclear energy industry.
Sources:
[1] Correspondence with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, Washington D.C., November 1995.
[2] Segodnya, 30 December 1993, p. 8.
[3] Source Book: Soviet Designed Nuclear Power Plants in  Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Armenia, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria, 4th edition, Nuclear Energy Institute, Washington D.C., 1996, p. 203.
[4] Teresa Sabonis-Chafee, Preliminary Report on Armenia, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 10 May 1996.
[5] John Torday, "Armenia's Dangerous Nuclear Gamble," Middle East International, 15 December 1995, p. 19.{Updated 8/16/96 KVY, 1/9/97 djw}

ATOMIC ENERGY SAFETY COUNCIL

The Atomic Energy Safety Council (AESC), established under an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, serves as a consultative agency for the Armenian president.  Members of the AESC include experts from Europe, the United States, and Russia.  President Levon Ter-Petrosyan attended the first session on 7 May 1997, at which the members discussed the state of nuclear power engineering in Armenia and safety at the Metsamor nuclear power plant.
[Noyan Tapan, 8 May 1997; in "Nuclear Station To Be Shut Down For Repairs" FBIS-SOV-97-129, 9 May 1997.]{entered 7/10/97 djw}

DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY, MINISTRY OF ENERGY

After the reopening of the Metsamor nuclear power plant in October 1995, this department assumed the responsibilities of Armatomenergo.
[Teresa Sabonis-Chafee, Preliminary Report on Armenia, Center for Nonproliferation Studies report, 10 May 1996.]

INTERAGENCY COMMISSION FOR DISARMAMENT, ARMS CONTROL, EXPORT CONTROL, AND NONPROLIFERATION

Created in summer 1997.
[CNS Discussion with Armenian government official, September 1997.] {Entered 11/6/97 TR}
 

Page last updated 20 August 2001

Comments or questions? Contact Kenley Butler at MIIS CNS: Kenley.Butler@miis.edu