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By The Irrawaddy 6 October 2022
The junta’s latest affirmation that it’ll construct a small-scale nuclear energy plant within the subsequent few years caps Myanmar’s lengthy pursuit of nuclear expertise courting again to early 2000.
The Southeast Asian nation’s two-decade-long journey to nuclear functionality was made potential by Russia after a sequence of engagements that accelerated below the present junta and its army predecessor.
Although the present regime insists nuclear power could be used for peaceable functions in Myanmar, which has been hit by persistent electrical energy shortages, many imagine this is step one in a plan to make the most of nuclear power for army functions together with manufacturing of nuclear weapons.
The timeline on Myanmar’s lengthy street to nuclear expertise:
January 2002
The Myanmar army regime confirms plans to construct a nuclear analysis reactor “for peaceable functions.”
Might 2002
Russia’s Atomic Power Ministry, Minatom, agrees to assist Myanmar construct a nuclear research heart comprising a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor and two laboratories, in Magwe Division, central Myanmar. The settlement consists of the development of amenities for disposing of nuclear waste and Russian coaching for Myanmar technicians.
July 2002
Russia and Myanmar signal an settlement in Moscow on development of the proposed nuclear analysis heart in Myanmar.
April 9, 2004
Keith Luse, an aide to US Senator Richard Lugar, asks whether or not North Korea is offering nuclear expertise to Burma, throughout a Washington seminar organized by the Heritage Basis, a conservative think-tank.
February 13, 2004
The army regime declares that it has “no want” to develop nuclear weapons, however “has the correct to develop nuclear amenities for peaceable functions.”
September 14, 2004
About 400 younger army officers from Myanmar go away for Russia amid reviews that a few of them will examine nuclear engineering.
August 3, 2006
Myanmar’s deputy ambassador to the UN Nyunt Swe tells the UN Convention on Disarmament in Geneva that Burma is against nuclear weapons.
Might 15, 2007
Russia’s federal atomic power company Rosatom pronounces it’s going to assist Myanmar construct the proposed nuclear facility. The company says the 10-megawatt nuclear reactor, fueled by lower than 20 p.c uranium-235, will contribute to Myanmar’s “analysis in nuclear physics, biotechnology, materials science in addition to…produce a big number of medicines.” The primary spherical of talks on undertaking particulars start.
Might 16, 2007
The US condemns the undertaking, whereas Thailand says it has no worries as a result of the ability can be carefully supervised by the Worldwide Atomic Power Company.
November 2008
A 17-member high-level Myanmar army delegation led by then junta No 3 Thura Shwe Mann makes a secret seven-day go to to Pyongyang through Beijing, throughout which the 2 sides signal agreements to deepen army cooperation.
Shwe Mann and his delegation additionally go to Myohyang in North Korea, the place secret tunnels have been constructed into the mountains to retailer and defend jet plane, missiles, tanks, missiles, and nuclear and chemical weapons. The go to arouses issues concerning the Myanmar army’s nuclear ambitions.
In 2012, whereas serving as Speaker of the Decrease Home below U Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian authorities, Shwe Mann claims the delegation to North Korea noticed the air protection system and signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between two armies, whereas nuclear weapons weren’t on the agenda.
2010
Main Sai Thein Win, an engineer within the Myanmar army’s Science and Know-how Workshop (recognized domestically because the “nuclear unit”) with a doctorate in atomic power from Russia, publicly reveals data, together with pictures, exhibiting that the army regime is learning the possession of nuclear weapons with technological assist from North Korea.
July 2013
Lt-Gen Thein Htay, who heads the Directorate of Protection Industries is positioned on a US Treasury sanctions checklist for illicit commerce in North Korean arms to Myanmar. He was a part of Shwe Mann’s delegation to North Korea in 2008. In the present day, he serves as a weapon manufacturing advisor for the present regime.
2016
Myanmar indicators the Complete Nuclear Take a look at Ban Treaty below the democratically elected authorities led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Nationwide League for Democracy. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi palms over the ratification instrument to United Nations Beneath-Secretary-Basic Miguel de Serpa Soares.
2018
Myanmar’s bicameral parliament approves President U Win Myint’s proposal for Myanmar to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Union Minister for Worldwide Cooperation U Kyaw Tin indicators the treaty through the UN Basic Meeting in September.
September 2022
The Myanmar junta and Russia’s state-owned nuclear company Rosatom signal a roadmap for additional atomic power cooperation, together with potential implementation of a modular reactor undertaking in Myanmar.
The settlement is signed on the sidelines of the Japanese Financial Discussion board (EEF-2022) in Vladivostok, Russia, which is attended by regime chief Min Aung Hlaing.
September 20, 2022
Junta spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun briefs press, confirming the regime’s plan to implement a small nuclear energy plant undertaking within the subsequent few years.
He doesn’t specify the undertaking’s location however says the Atomic Power Division of the junta’s Ministry of Science and Know-how will set up a “nuclear data expertise heart” in Yangon, which can gauge and affect public opinion on nuclear power.
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