The Mongol Messenger Editor in Chief, B. Indra interviewed Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei, recently retired former head of the UN nuclear watchdog organization, during his visit to Mongolia’s earlier this year, as Director General of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) and discussed Mongolia’s uranium deposits and IAEA issues with Mongolia.

MM: What was the result of your visit to Mongolia and what main issues were discussed during the meetings with the Prime Minister.

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: During my visit to Mongolia we focused on two broad issues: One was energy and the other, the work of the agency to contribute to Mongolian’s basic needs in agriculture and water.

Energy–the engine for development is key to life. Energy is life. Mongolia is blessed with a lot of uranium deposits right now in great demand because of the increased reliance on nuclear power, because of limited energy supplies and climate change concerns. Mongolia is going to and has already embarked on a number of agreements with many countries who are interested in buying Mongolian uranium. We discussed how to build Mongolia’s capacity, human resources and technical and legal policy to position Mongolia strongly to get good deals in extraction and sale of uranium with different states and companies.

We will be sending a mission to Mongolia to discuss uranium exploration and nuclear sales with authorities. The other issue discussed was radiation protection. Mongolia is using a lot of radiation sources in hospitals and industries – we discussed this issue within state policy and the nuclear law. It is important to have a nuclear industry compliant with international standards, which means it needs a regulatory body independent from promotional bodies so the state agency for nuclear energy is split into two to keep the inspectors independent.

Then we talked about ongoing work in cancer treatment. Here we have been active in providing a number of machines: cobalt 60, teletherapy and brachytherapy for treatment of cancer. We want to expand our activities here from treatment to comprehensive cancer control as our approach now is to go from prevention /early detection/ treatment and preventive measures. I discussed earlier, the importance of early detection in saving lives.

There is growing cancer cases here among women – cervical cancer, breast cancer – raising the importance of the state having a program that offers periodical checkups for early detection. That is one area we where we are looking into. We also have been working for many years in agriculture, in particular in improving the crop productivity. There are a number crop varieties developed from natural mutation through nuclear techniques and we have been improving the productivity of cattle and dealing with some of the cattle diseases. We have managed to eliminate a deadly disease called rinderpest. We also have been working with water to make sure that water sources are clean and managed properly. In addition we have worked with the environment and pollution. There is a lot of pollution here in Mongolia and we have been using and developing analytical techniques to make sure you understand the sources of pollution and take immediate actions.

So, in brief some of the issues we discussed and agreed upon include sending a mission here to discuss the uranium issue and do a study – energy forecast assessment, as we call it – because Mongolia is considering nuclear power as a source of energy for future generations. I told the government that before we do that we need an energy forecast: what are your needs for the next 20 or 30 years, what would be the appropriate energy mix and should nuclear power be part of this mix. We look at in-depth studies using computer modeling to look into economics, environment and safety. That is another study that we will do here in addition to working on law and policies with regard to nuclear energy in general and the other technological applications in improving basic human needs.

MM: What can you say about the current situation of Mongolia’s legal environment in? How will your agency improve it?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: We have been working with Mongolian authorities in law and made comments on the draft law in accordance with international safety standards and it will go to parliament in May. We will continue to work closely with Mongolian authorities.

MM: In the nuclear renaissance, do you think uranium exporting countries can play an OPEC-like role in the XXI century ?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: The price of oil and uranium is determined by demand and supply. Uranium now is more expansive than in the past because of its high demand. So you have to see it according to market conditions. First of all, in the oil sector not all countries are part of the cartel. The cartel does not decide the price. Besides the idea of cartel to control prices is not the right way. We should leave it to supply and demand.

MM: In the future, is it possible for developing countries to unite as uranium exporting countries ?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: There are not many developed countries that are major suppliers of uranium, mainly Canada and Australia. And I don’t think they are interested in cartels. I don’t think a cartel is the way to go and the best way is to work according to market conditions.

MM: Is it better for Mongolia to export uranium or to build nuclear power plants?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: I think you can have both. You have much more uranium than you need. You can export uranium. Uranium does not go automatically into the power reactor. It needs to be enriched, manufactured into fuel, and than injected for use in power reactors. There is no contradiction between having power reactor and exporting uranium. You have enough uranium for your own domestic needs and much more for exportation.

MM: There have been some positive changes recently. Do you think your agency will play a role in this issue in Obama’s time?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: This is a very good change of heart if you like, nuclear disarmament was not discussed or taken seriously during the Bush administration. Now there is a complete change, as you said, since President Obama made a commitment to nuclear disarmament. This is something I very much welcome. Some of these measures would require verification. Some of it would be bilateral verification between Russia and the US, especially reduction of nuclear weapons. Some other measures, like treaties to ban production of nuclear weapon purpose, will probably require a larger organization. This would be the Agency’s responsibility. So we expect, if this measure comes to fruition, that the agency’s area of verification would expand a great deal. I am very hopeful that this commitment will turn into reality.

MM: Mongolia is located between two big countries – Russia and China. Both countries have nuclear weapons. What role will Mongolia play in this? Mongolia’s two neighbors are nuclear powers, they not only have nuclear weapons but also nuclear industry.

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: Mongolia has established itself as a nuclear-weapn-free zone, which means it does not allow nuclear weapons on its own territory. You have of course a moral authority to speak and advocate for nuclear disarmament. We all know that nuclear weapons do not provide assurance. Nuclear weapons in fact threaten. And production of nuclear weapons will destroy our planet as we know it. Now we see increasing commitments to nuclear disarmament, as you said, Obama made the commitment when I was in China. You hear it from China and India. There is a momentum. People understand now that having nuclear disarmament is a better way to have a safer world. Continuing the development of nuclear weapons means more countries will have nuclear weapons. More countries with nuclear weapons means higher risks that the weapons would be used. The greatest risk of all is of course if extremist groups get hold of nuclear weapons. So nuclear disarmament is a way to secure ourselves from self destruction.

MM: This year (in November), your term will finish. What are you future plans?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: I will come to Mongolia as a tourist. I have not really decided exactly what I will do but I want to continue to speak on the issues which are important to me: international security and international development. And I will continue to lecture and write and do public service and do some charity work. I will be happy to have the opportunity to do different things.

MM: You plan to come to Mongolia as a tourist?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: I hope so. I have not seen enough of Mongolia and it is a beautiful country.

MM: Because a two-day visit is very difficult and you are busy with many meetings.

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: I would like to go outside Ulaanbaatar and see the real life of Mongolia. I hope next time I will be able to do that.

MM: Are you satisfied with the results of your visit to Mongolia?

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: Yes, I am very satisfied with the results. I had very good discussions with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President. Also with the atomic agency. I think all of them understand about cooperating with the agency and we are in full agreement. There is a lot of work for us to do in the near future. Yes, I am very satisfied.

MM: Yesterday the Prime Minister said Mongolia would decide which countries or companies it will cooperate with.

Dr.Mohamed ElBaradei: We want to build capacity here in terms of human resources to be able to have legal, technical, and policy experts for you to decide which are the most favorable conditions for you to extract and sell uranium. Make sure you get the best prices and the best conditions. That requires building capacity. That is what we agreed and that is one our first priorities here.

MM: Thank you for making time to speak with the MM

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Nuclear energy considered for Mongolia

On December 19, 2009, Prime Minister S. Batbold, chief of the National Commission on Atomic Energy met with representatives of the atomic energy sector and attended a consultative meeting ‘Atomic technology-Mongolia’s development’.

The PM spoke to the assembly saying, “…We need to pay special attention to implementing policy and programs, plan for radioactive material and atomic energy, and establish a national institute of atomic studies and technology. Mon-Atom Company should take the initiative and work fast to build the financial sources necessary for utilization of deposits with state-of the-art technology.”

The Minerals and Energy Minister was asked to be attentive to the spending for certain parts of exploration and scientific works (to be conducted) and studies of radioactive materials and precious metals with money from the State Budget.

He also underlined the importance of taking comprehensive measures to improve controls on atomic and radioactive security, develop strict laboratory procedures, to train and re-train personnel, and work cooperatively with relevant organizations of foreign countries.

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