American and Israeli officials today signed an agreement amending and broadening a previous accord on civilian use of atomic energy. It provided for an increase in the amount and grade of uranium that may be made available under the original agreement for Israel’s Nahal Sorek research reactor.
The new agreement, which must be ratified by Congress within a specified time, was signed by Dr. Glen Seaborg, chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission; Raymond Hare, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; and charge d’affaires Ephraim Evron, of the Israel Embassy. Operation of the Nahal Sorek reactor is covered by International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
The new amendment will enable Israel to achieve more efficient and economical utilization of the reactor for research in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. The quantitative ceiling of enriched uranium was raised from 10 kilograms to 40. The percentage of enrichment was increased above 90 percent. Another provision permits the two governments to authorize scientific and public institutions to order nuclear material through commercial channels.
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