Abstract: | According to an announcement of Prime Minister Vorster South Africa has succeeded in developing a new process for uranium enrichment as well as the extensive associated technology and is building a pilot plant based on the new process. Vorster's offer of participation in the advantages of this discovery would imply the contribution of foreign capital to an extent that not even the best informed experts can forecast. The slow progress in uranium production does not justify the plans for a large-scale enrichment plant as mentioned by Vorster. Besides it is doubtful where the candidate partners are to be found for such a co-operation. There is a certain lack of a sense of proportion in the official terminology when assessing the economic value of the scientists' performance. Although Vorster has declared that the S.A. programme in the field of nuclear energy was directed entirely towards peaceful purposes, there is a tough line against publicity which evokes dark suspicions underlying defence plans. |