CHAIRMAN OF AD HOC COMMITTEE NEGOTIATING COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-TERRORISM CONVENTION DESCRIBES ‘GOOD PROGRESS’ MADE IN PAST FEW YEARS

Says Extremely Encouraged by Delegates Flexibility, Continued Commitment;
Upcoming General Assembly Opportune Moment to Make Final Attempt to Find Solution

While acknowledging the sense of disappointment that the last outstanding issues surrounding a proposed global anti-terrorism convention had yet to be resolved, the Chairman of the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee charged with elaborating that treaty today stressed that “good progress has been made over the past few years,” and various recommendations were beginning to coalesce into solid proposals for reaching a conclusion.

As he closed the Ad Hoc Committee’s session, Chairman Rohan Perera of Sri Lanka said that during the past week several delegates had expressed satisfaction over consolidation in the report of the Working Group of the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the text of the convention’s draft articles and of the various proposals. “This was certainly a step forward. It reflects the current state of negotiations and will surely facilitate our work,” he said.

It was also noteworthy that delegations continued to view the 2007 elements as a way out of the current impasse, he said, referring to a package proposal put forward four years ago to spur progress towards resolving persistent disputes related to a definition of terrorism and the proposed convention’s interaction with other international law. “I am extremely encouraged by the flexibility shown by many delegations in their comments this week and their continued commitment to bringing our work to a conclusion,” he said.

Yet Mr. Perera reminded delegations that the Committee’s current session was it fifteenth and, therefore, the Assembly’s forthcoming sixty-sixth session should be seen as “an opportune moment to make our final attempt to find solutions to our efforts”.

He expressed every confidence that delegations would review the relevant issues so that the Assembly could take the necessary decisions. He encouraged them to use the coming months to seriously consider elements that could be included in a possible resolution as a way to move the process towards a conclusion.

The Chairman’s words echoed a recommendation, adopted by consensus in the body’s draft report, by which the Ad Hoc Committee — formally known as the Ad Hoc Committee Established by General Assembly resolution 51/201 — recommended that the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal) establish a working group with a view to making a concerted effort to finalizing the draft convention and continuing discussions on the question of convening a high-level conference on the matter, under United Nations auspices.

Today’s meeting also featured a briefing by Maria Telalian of Greece, Coordinator of the informal bilateral consultations during the session, which began on 11 May. She said that, while all members of the Ad Hoc Committee had expressed the willingness to press ahead with their work, many were frustrated that progress had slowed because some delegations had not been flexible enough on the outstanding issues. Yet, overall, there was a renewed sense of urgency to continue negotiating in the fall, with some delegations pledging to proceed with discussions in regional frameworks “in an attempt to lend political support to the effort”.

Continuing, she said that several delegations had wondered if there was any value added by adopting a new convention; weren’t the core international anti-terrorism accords, taken as a whole, enough? She had stressed that the value of a new, comprehensive enforcement instrument would not be merely symbolic. Indeed, once adopted, it would be the first time States had, in an international instrument, a legal definition that would be the basis for counter-terrorism measures.

Moreover, she had urged the Committee members not to underestimate the worth of the incremental progress that had been achieved over the years. “What we have been doing is not only legally sound, but politically prudent,” she said, adding that the definition of terrorist acts in Article 2 of the draft convention was in line with language in General Assembly decisions. (The elements of the draft convention are contained in the report of the Sixth Committee Working Group, document A/C.6/65/L.10.)

Following Ms. Telalian’s presentation, 20 members of the Ad Hoc Committee took the floor to briefly comment on the status of the negotiations and suggest recommendations on the way forward. While a few preferred the former Coordinator’s 2002 package proposal as a way forward, the majority of the speakers backed a 2007 package, without modifications, as “the best compromise”. That proposal, they felt, would serve as a sound basis to continue discussions, if it would bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. At the same time, several who supported the 2007 proposal urged that it not be seen as a “take-or-leave-it package;” rather, it should be considered alongside other options.

Other speakers supported an approach that did not seek to alter or create new obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws and that ensured respect for those rules. Some speakers considered that progress on the draft convention was predicated on two principles, namely that the proposed treaty exclude from its scope the activities of military forces of a State, which were already covered by other regimes; and that it not include activities undertaken by national liberation movements.

A point raised by Committee members who were frustrated by the halting pace and restrictive format of the current negotiations was that it was time to revisit the body’s working methods. With very little to show in the way of progress since 2007, one speaker said the Ad Hoc Committee must admit that the current nature of its negotiations “is just not working”. Another said the Committee had been wasting time over the past week because it was clear that negotiations on outstanding issues — chiefly a concrete definition of terrorism or terrorist acts — had stalled. It was time to pursue a more open and transparent path, as befit the United Nations, an Organization based on multilateral cooperation.

To a suggestion that yet another working group be created to deal with specific sticking points, such as a definition of terrorism and extradition procedures, one Committee Member said that, while his delegation was not opposed to the recommendation, the gaps to be bridged “are just too vast” and the differences “are not just a matter of semantics”. As such, he also called urgently for a review of the Committee’s working methods.

He was also among those who suggested that, if and when a high-level conference on international terrorism was convened, it must not merely adopt a convention that had already been elaborated; rather, it should also be devoted to bridging divergent views on language and definitions that had thus far eluded the Ad Hoc Committee and the Sixth Committee (Legal).

Speaking on the Coordinator’s report were the representatives of Japan, Hungary (on behalf of the European Union), Syria (on behalf of Organization of the Islamic Conference), Brazil, Chile, Canada, Guatemala, Ecuador, Turkey, Argentina, Serbia, Egypt, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia, Morocco, Cuba, India, South Africa, Jordan, Iraq, Republic of Moldova and Saudi Arabia.

Taking the floor to discuss the Ad Hoc Committee’s draft report were the representatives of Syria (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Venezuela, Cuba, South Africa, Nicaragua, Ghana, Chile, Ecuador, Kenya, Guatemala, India, Hungary (on behalf of the European Union), Serbia, Norway, United States, Madagascar, Japan, France, Guatemala and Cuba.

Nuclear Safety Convention Meeting Commits to Learn Lessons from Fukushima Nuclear Accident

The 5th Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), being held in Vienna, Austria, concluded on 14 April 2011.

During the 10 days of meetings, delegations from 61 of the 72 countries that are "Contracting Parties" to the Convention discussed long-term safety issues, as well as the unfolding nuclear emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan.

As a result of the Japanese disaster, the contracting parties are carrying out safety reviews of their nuclear installations, including reexamining the nuclear power plants' safety measures that defend against extreme external events.

The Contracting Parties stated that the learning process following the Fukushima accident will continue as more information is acquired and analyzed.

They also welcomed IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano's initiative to convene a Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety in June, and pledged their support.

Although the CNS is scheduled to meet every three years, it was agreed that they would convene an extraordinary meeting next year to analyse the Fukushima accident.

A General Review

The Review Meeting's conclusions also included detailed technical discussions about enhancing safety culture; overcoming challenges in recruiting a new generation of nuclear professionals; managing ageing nuclear facilities and safely extending their lifetimes; nuclear power plant designs; siting of new plants; periodic safety reviews; countries new to nuclear power; international cooperation; as well as networking on emergency management and operating experience.

In addition, the Conference attendees discussed country reports on nuclear safety that every Contracting Party is obliged to submit. All countries with operating nuclear power plants are among the CNS' Contracting Parties.

Background

The Convention, which entered into force on 24 October 1996, was designed to enhance nuclear safety. Its objectives are to achieve and maintain a high level of nuclear safety worldwide, to establish and maintain effective defenses in nuclear installations against potential radiological hazards, and to prevent accidents having radiological consequences.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety is an incentive instrument. It does not compel Parties to adhere to certain safety standards, but is, instead, based on their common interest to achieve higher levels of safety.

The IAEA is the depositary for the Convention and its role is to provide the secretariat for the Review Meetings by convening, preparing and servicing these meetings, as well as transmitting relevant information to the Contracting Parties.

See Story Resources for more information.

-- By Sasha Henriques, IAEA Division of Public Information

IAEA Operational Safety Team (OSART) Reviews Progress at Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant, France

11 February 2011 | Fessenheim, France -- An international team of nuclear installation safety experts, led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has evaluated the French Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) at Fessenheim to assess how the facility has followed up on an Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) mission undertaken in 2009.

The IAEA assembled a team of experts at the request of the Government of France to conduct the mission. Follow-up missions are standard components of the OSART programme and are conducted 18-24 months after the initial OSART mission. Under the leadership of the IAEA´s Division of Nuclear Installation Safety, the team performed its review from 7 to 11 February 2011. The team assessed how the Fessenheim NPP has addressed the recommendations and suggestions made during the 2009 OSART mission. The team was made up of experts from Slovakia, Switzerland and the IAEA.

The review covered the areas of Management, Organization and Administration; Training and Qualifications; Operations; Maintenance; Technical Support; Operating Experience; Radiation Protection; Chemistry and Emergency Planning and Preparedness. The conclusions of the follow-up review are based on the IAEA´s Safety Standards and proven good international practices.

There were 21 issues raised by the 2009 mission. During the follow-up mission, the team assessed that six issues had been resolved, thirteen had made satisfactory progress to date and two had made insufficient progress to date. "Resolved" describes action plans for improvement that have been fully implemented; "satisfactory progress to date" describes action plans that have been developed but are not yet fully implemented; and "insufficient progress to date" describes situations where additional consideration or strengthening of improvement plans is necessary.

Examples of issues falling into different resolution categories include:

The plant has resolved the suggestion to establish a process to review initial training materials on a regular basis. A systematic three-year training course revision program is in place now which ensures that the latest operating experience is used for learning purposes;
The plant has reached satisfactory progress in eliminating industrial safety hazards. Actions include installation of protective screens over hot pipes or equipment, installation of guards on rotating equipment and elimination of tripping hazards particularly due to loose extension cords; and
Insufficient progress has been made on the recommendation to have a person on the site at all times who is authorized to initiate an appropriate on-site response plan promptly and without consultation. It is noted that the practice at Fessenheim NPP is the same as the practice applied at other EDF plants and it is agreed by the French regulatory body ASN.
The team delivered a draft of its findings to Fessenheim management in the form of "Technical Notes" for factual comments. These notes, along with any comments from Fessenheim NPP and the French nuclear regulatory authority, will be reviewed at IAEA headquarters. The final report will be submitted to the Government of France within three months.

The IAEA conducts approximately six OSART follow-up missions each year and this was the 102nd follow-up mission conducted to date.

Light Z' Bosons at the Tevatron

New gauge bosons with Standard Model-like couplings to leptons are constrained by collider searches to be heavier than approximately ~1 TeV. A Z' boson with suppressed couplings to leptons, however, could be much lighter and possess substantial couplings to Standard Model quarks. In this article, we consider a new leptophobic Z' gauge boson as a simple and well motivated extension of the Standard Model, and discuss several of its possible signatures at the Tevatron. We find that three of the recent anomalies reported from the Tevatron - in particular the top-quark forward-backward asymmetry and excesses in the 3b and W + 2 jets final states - could be explained by a new Z' with a mass of approximately 150 GeV, relatively large couplings to quarks, and suppressed couplings to electrons and muons. Moreover, we find that such a particle could also mediate the interactions of dark matter, leading to potentially interesting implications for direct detection experiments
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph); Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO); High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)

Dark Energy Survey Poised to Probe Cosmic Speed-Up

Scientists announced that the Dark Energy Survey soon expects to make a substantial leap forward in our understanding of why the universe is accelerating and the nature of dark energy.

Members of the DES collaboration will give an overview of the survey at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at a Special Session of the American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle. Dark Energy Survey Director Josh Frieman will highlight the project and how it will advance our understanding of dark energy at a AAS press conference at 9 a.m. PST on Thursday, Jan. 13.

The international DES collaboration of physicists and astronomers has built the 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera that will be mounted later this year on the 4-meter (158-inch) telescope at the National Science Foundation’s Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, operated by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.

"The camera is now undergoing final tests on a specially built telescope simulator at Fermilab,” said Brenna Flaugher, Dark Energy Camera project manager and a Fermilab scientist.

Improved photo-sensors based on charged-coupled devices (CCDs) designed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will provide the camera with enhanced sensitivity to carry out the largest galaxy survey of its kind.

“The Dark Energy Survey data will be an unprecedented legacy for astronomers and will have unique scientific reach until the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope comes along at the end of the decade,” said DES Deputy Director Rich Kron of the University of Chicago.

The telescope has been improved in preparation for installing the camera this year.

"The Dark Energy Camera will be a remarkable facility for the astronomical community in addition to its use by the DES collaboration," said CTIO astronomer Alistair Walker.

During five years of operation, DES will create deep, color images of one-eighth of the sky, or 5,000-square degrees, to measure 300 million galaxies, 100,000 galaxy clusters, and 4,000 new supernovae. It will construct the largest map of the cosmic web of large-scale structure traced by galaxies and by dark matter.

"The DES combination of survey area and depth will far surpass what has come before," Frieman said.

DES will take advantage of the excellent atmospheric conditions in the Chilean Andes to deliver images with the sharpest resolution yet for such a wide-field survey. This will enable the team to probe dark energy using a technique called weak gravitational lensing, said Bhuvnesh Jain, a DES collaborator at the University of Pennsylvania.

DES will combine weak lensing with three other probes of dark energy – galaxy clusters, supernovae, and large-scale structure – the first time this will be possible in a single experiment. During the Tuesday session on DES, these measurements will be described by scientists Chris Miller of the University of Michigan, Masao Sako of the University of Pennsylvania, and Enrique Gaztanaga from the Catalan Institute of Space Studies in Barcelona.

Over the course of the survey, each part of the sky will be viewed multiple times through five different filters, creating a very large amount of data. The camera will capture more than 300 images a night, resulting in about 200 gigabytes of compressed, raw data, or roughly a million gigabytes of processed data by the end of the survey, said Joe Mohr of Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich. The data will be processed at the National Center for Supercomputer Applications in Urbana, Illinois, and delivered to collaboration scientists and to the public.

DES's survey area is selected to overlap with other sky surveys that can provide additional data about the galaxies and clusters it views. These surveys include the South Pole Telescope, which sees galaxy clusters as cold spots in the cosmic microwave background radiation, and the European Southern Observatory’s Vista Hemisphere Survey, which will observe the same sky region in infrared light.

DES is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, funding agencies in the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, and Germany, and the participating DES institutions.

About the Dark Energy Survey and Dark Energy Camera:
Astrophysicists assembled and are testing the Dark Energy Camera at Fermilab using a new state-of-the-art facility specially built for this purpose. The first parts have been shipped to Chile and the rest will be shipped this year as testing is completed. "First light" for the camera on the telescope is scheduled for late 2011.

The Dark Energy Survey will use the camera to understand why the expansion of the universe is accelerating and to probe the dark energy thought to be causing this cosmic speed-up. Dark energy, a mysterious source of anti-gravity that has been found to dominate the energy density of the universe, will determine the fate of the universe. If the expansion continues to speed up, in 100 billion years the observable universe could be nearly empty of galaxies.

The Dark Energy Camera will peer into space to trace the history of the universe roughly three-quarters of the way back to the time of the Big Bang, capturing images of 300 million distant galaxies about 10 million times fainter than the dimmest star you can see from Earth with the naked eye.

The Dark Energy Camera will have the largest optical survey power in the world. Its 2.2 degree field of view is so large that a single image will record data from an area of the sky 20 times the size of the moon as seen from earth. This wide field of view requires that DECam use a system of five lenses, each one uniquely shaped to correct a variety of optical aberrations, with the biggest of these lenses being almost 1 meter in diameter.

More information about the Dark Energy Survey, including the list of participating institutions, is available at the project website: http://www.darkenergysurvey.org.