Yugoslavia is currently in a holding pattern regarding its nuclear program. In 2003, the government put an embargo on the development of nuclear technology.[1] However, much of Yugoslavia's infrastructure to support a nuclear program, including that which is needed to develop nuclear weapons, remains intact.[2]
With the dissolution of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the country's governing structure, including those entities responsible for nuclear program management, have undergone a major reorganization. It is uncertain whether it is Yugoslavia at the federal level, or Serbia who bears the responsibility for Vinca Institute for Nuclear Science, which is at the core of Yugoslavia's nuclear infrastructure.[3] In the past the Federal Nuclear Commission had been the country's nuclear authority, but it seems to have been reorganized into the Federal Commission for Nuclear Energy, which is barely active.[4] The Commission's responsibilities appear to have shifted to several organizations, such as the Federal Ministry of Economy, the Ministry for Environmental Protection on the federal level, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, with some responsibility for inspections at nuclear facilities to Ministry of Energy and Mining on the state level.
In the past Yugoslavia's nuclear power program was located throughout its territory, including what is now the independent states of Slovenia, and Croatia. After the disintegration of Yugoslavia, what remains on its territory proper is the Institute of Nuclear Science at Vinca, and some nuclear medical clinics spread throughout the country. Other facilities that have been decommissioned or closed down years earlier include the Kalna and Zirovsky mines that will be dismantled as financial resources permit. The former Yugoslavia's sole nuclear power plant, Krsko, remains co-owned by Croatia and Slovenia. Negotiations between the two former Yugoslav republics are currently focused on the dismantlement of the plant at Krsko by 2042. Similarly, the Triga Mark II 250 kW reactor used in the past by Yugoslavia for nuclear research is presently owned and controlled by Croatia.
Although Yugoslavia's nuclear power program is on hold, nuclear research continues with activities mainly concentrated at the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Science, approximately 14 Km outside of Beograd (Belgrade). In addition, the medical uses of nuclear technology continue at several centers around the country, including the Clinical Center of Serbia and The Institute of Occupational and Radiological Health.
In 1948, Yugoslavia constructed the Boris Kidric Institute of Nuclear Sciences, which later became the Institute of Nuclear Sciences. It was established to conduct nuclear research as a part of the Yugoslav Federal Nuclear Program. It was also a part of Yugoslavia's project to develop nuclear weapons. That program has since been dismantled, but as has been mentioned before, much of the infrastructure remains intact. Currently the Institute is organized into 16 research departments and employs approximately 800 employees, 400 of which are researchers that conduct research, educate, or maintain facilities.[5] However it appears that funding and research is almost at a standstill, and has been for a number of years. According to a recent media report, only 0.3 percent of Yugoslavia's total budget goes to science projects, which is considerably less than the 3 percent that the European Community would like them to spend. The report also states that a majority of scientists in Yugoslavia are less than competent.[6]
In 2002, the Center for Nuclear Technologies and Research (NTI) was established by merging the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory (NET) and RA Research Reactor Department. NTI, located and managed by the Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Vinca, operates the RA research reactor and RB critical assembly. The primary goal of the center is to implement numerous projects undertaken as a part of the "Green Vincha (VIND Program)." The Green program seeks to improve nuclear security and radiation safety standards of the RA research reactor and the Institute. However, some believe that the intentions of those implementing the program are less than genuine.[7] Other research at NTI includes; reactor physics, safety and control of nuclear reactors, nuclear engineering, radiation protection. The NTI also operates an accelerator, and prepares the RA reactor for decommissioning and ensures the safe storage of RA's spent fuel.[8]
[1] Branka Jaksic: "Nuclear Power Station in Serbia," Belgrade Ekspres, in 6 November 2003, "Report Links French Nuclear Firm's Visit to Construction of Facility in Serbia," FBIS, EUP20031108000209.
[2]William C. Potter and Jonathan B. Tucker, "Well-Armed and Very Dangerous," Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times, April 4, 1999, <http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/pottuck.htm>.
[3] Dejan, Anastasijevic, "Belgrade on Barrel of Uranium," Belgrade Vreme, 15 March 1997, provided courtesy of the Federation of the Atomic Scientists Serbia Special Weapons News Project, <http://www.fas.org/news/serbia/fbis-eeu-97-065.htm>.
[4] Dejan, Anastasijevic, "Belgrade on Barrel of Uranium," Belgrade Vreme, 15 March 1997, provided courtesy of the Federation of the Atomic Scientists Serbia Special Weapons News Project, <http://www.fas.org/news/serbia/fbis-eeu-97-065.htm>; "Center NTI References," Center for Nuclear Technologies and research NTI web page, Vinca Institute for Nuclear Sciences, Accessed on January 23, 2003, <http://www.vin.bg.ac.yu/150/CentarWebEngleski/References.htm>.
[5] "Vinca Institute," Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences web page, Accessed on January 17, 2003, <http://www.vin.bg.ac.yu/index_e.htm>.
[6] M. Dapcevic, M. Radulovic: "Transformation as a Screen for Lining Pockets," Glas Javnosti,10 March 2003, in "Serbian Nuclear Institute Protests Government Planned Reorganization," FBIS, EUP20030310000295.
[7] M. Dapcevic, M. Radulovic: "Transformation as a Screen for Lining Pockets," Glas Javnosti, 10 March 2003, in "Serbian Nuclear Institute Protests Government Planned Reorganization," FBIS, EUP20030310000295.
[8] "Center for Nuclear Technologies and Research (NTI)," NTI homepage, updated 2003, <http://www.vin.bg.ac.yu/150/CenterNTI.htm>.
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Updated July 2007 |
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