Global Security Newswire

Vietnam today issued a memorandum prohibiting the illicit use, sale, possession and purchase of nuclear materials and equipment, as well as the provision of false reports on such matters, the Xinhua News Agency reported (see GSN, June 1).

Under the nuclear regulations -- set take effect Aug. 15 as part of a wider package of regulations for the country's nascent nuclear energy industry -- groups and individuals running nuclear research or power reactors, enrichment units or nuclear waste dumps would be required to report financial activities and other details to the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety.

Exports and imports of nuclear materials must be reported to the agency under the new rules, and possession of any nuclear material or gear would have to be declared to the agency within seven business days.

Vietnamese lawmakers last November endorsed the plans for the country's two nuclear power plants in its central Ninh Thuan province. The government expects the facilities to cost more than $10 billion.

The first plant is slated for completion in 2014, and its initial turbine is expected to begin functioning in 2020. The facility would incorporate Russian-built components (Xinhua News Agency, June 15).