USA are interested in the soonest stat of high concentrated uranium set at UMP - diplomat

/INTERFAX-KAZAKHSTAN, Ust-Kamenogorsk, October 6, 05/ - USA are interested in the soonest stat of high concentrated uranium set at Ulbinskiy metallurgical plant (UMP, East-Kazakhstan oblast, EKO) - biggest in CIS producer of nuclear fuel for APS. "The project is realized in order to exclude the danger concerned with usage of high concentrated uranium. We are very interested that it (uranium - "IF- K") be refined and lose its danger as soon as possible", - John Ordway the US ambassador said to "Interfax-Kazakhstan". "The set for high concentrated uranium refining is precisely the project, into which we have invested much funds and strength", - the diplomat said. He did not call the amount, which America gave for project realization. Ordway marked that "Kazakhstan does much for non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction". "And we highly appreciate our cooperation in this sphere. Much has been done already, but there is more things to do", - he said. Ceremony of starting the set at UMP is planned for October 8. On the same day there will be held an international symposium in Ust- Kamenogorsk: "Kazakhstan consolidates international cooperation for the sake of peace and safety". Today UMP occupies area of 529.1 hectares, it has over 100 buildings and constructions in its staff. The plant is one of the biggest producers in the world in the sphere of its activity. UMP is in the staff of national atomic company Kazatomprom, which owns 90% of the plant's shares. [2005-10-07]