France to help fight N-waste

March 17: The French government is ready to share with India its technology for safe disposal of nuclear waste, according to French ambassador Jerome Bonnafont. “Our country is willing to cooperate with India to share details on safe clearance of nuclear waste,” he told DC on the sidelines of the inaugural of the Renault-Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd at Oragadam, about 40 km from here, on Wednesday.
Ambassador Bonnafont said France was “awaiting the response (to its nuclear cooperation offer) from the Indian government”. India should discuss the management of nuclear waste with civil society organisations, the public and scientists. “The French government, before launching our ambitious nuclear power projects, had organised a series of public meetings and debates. We brought about a consensus among the people and only thereafter executed the nuclear projects, gradually,” Mr Bonnafont said, adding, trust is key to developing nuclear energy plans.
The ambassador said nuclear scientists in France were developing technology for safe disposal of nuclear waste. “We have planned to recycle nuclear waste to the maximum and then carefully bury and cover the final remnants with clay. We would like to have a dialogue with the Indian government regarding nuclear waste,” he said.
He said France looked to India for support in trying to bring peace in Afghanistan. “Building schools and hospitals there is the need of the hour. Eradicating terrorism and rejuvenating the lives of people are the big tasks in Afghanistan which need to be addressed immediately. We seek the cooperation of India to help out the Afghans,” he said.