A-RODS….

In a vote that was closer than expected, the Duma gave final passage to a bill intended to make Russia a leading importer and processor of spent nuclear fuel. The Atomic Energy Ministry told legislators the bill could yield $20 billion in revenues over the next ten years. In a losing cause, opposition deputy Grigory Yavlinsky scoffed: “One hundred million Russian citizens are against it, and only 500 are for it–300 members sitting here and 200 bureaucrats who will get the money.” …The United States asserts the right to regulate exports and re-exports of U.S.-origin nuclear fuel, which accounts for about 90 percent of the world supply outside Russia. The State Department says licenses for shipments to Russia will not be issued unless Russia complies with tough conditions on nuclear safety and nonproliferation.