Russia's interest in Namibia

**Comrade007** · 23rd June 2009, 07:30 AM

So it appears to be primarily uranium and other minerals as well as potential prjects in the energy sector that brings a huge delegation of a couple of hundred people along with President Medvedev to Namibia for a couple of hours. I was wondering about that:

Medvedev visits Namibia with eye on uranium

Uranium deposits in Namibia's deserts, which could make the country a top producer of the nuclear fuel, are drawing growing foreign interest, seen in this week's visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The first-ever visit by a Kremlin chief on Wednesday and Thursday is expected to include a delegation of hundreds, with an emphasis on reviving cooperation in uranium mining and energy production.

"The whole energy issue will be discussed," Namibia's charge d'affaires in Moscow told AFP.

Russia has shown interest in Namibia since 2007. An exploration license was awarded to a joint venture led by Tekhsabexport, a Russian state firm that sells uranium. Moscow offered Namibia its controversial technology for floating nuclear plants.

"Nothing has happened" since then, said Robin Sherbourne, group economist for South Africa's Nedbank in Windhoek. "We'll see what happens this time."

Such projects are spreading across this southern African country, which aims to benefit from renewed global interest in nuclear power with its large uranium deposits, which are currently mined at only two locations.

The main mine, Rossing, runs five kilometres (three miles) long and 350 metres (1,100 feet) deep -- but was threatened with closure in 2003 when prices for uranium oxide plunged to nearly nothing as the global supply was inflated by enriched nuclear fuel from the former Soviet Union.

But fears of climate change have revived the search for carbon-neutral energy, sending uranium prices back up.

More than 40 reactors are being built in 11 countries, notably in Russia. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expects that at least 70 nuclear power stations will be built around the world in the next 15 years, doubling the global supply of nuclear energy.

Rossing -- majority owned by Australian giant Rio with a 68.6 percent stake, but with a 15 percent stake held by Iran, 10 percent by South Africa, and three percent by Namibia -- announced a 112 million dollar expansion in 2006.

The same year, Australia's Paladin Energy re-opened the Langer Heinrich mine, also located near the Atlantic coast.

That has propelled Namibia to the top ranks of global producers, behind only Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia, with output 4,366 tonnes of uranium oxide -- representing 10 percent of the world's production.

And the industry's growth is just beginning. The government awarded three licenses last year, and the French group Areva in 2007 bought the Namibian firm holding exploration Trekkopje, where production is expected to begin by year end.

"Namibia could increase its production to 42 million pounds (a four-fold increase) within five years, which could make us Number 1," Sherbourne said.

To achieve that, Namibia first must tackle two major obstacles.

The desert has no water needed to control the dust and radiation from the mines. Areva has built a desalination plant on the Atlantic coast, which could eventually meet the growing needs.

The country also lacks enough energy. Namibia already imports half of its electricity from South Africa, which is suffering an energy crisis itself.

Windhoek is considering new coal or gas-fired plants, and has floated the idea of building a nuclear plant by 2018.

**Andrew1** · 23rd June 2009, 08:48 AM

so it is not diamonds and fish? how about selling weapons to namibia?

**Oneword** · 26th June 2009, 01:08 PM

JOINT COMMUNIQUE
ISSUED ON THE OCCASION
OF THE STATE VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
BY H.E. DMITRY MEDVEDEV,
PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

1.At the invitation of His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, paid a State Visit to the Republic of Namibia from 25-26 June 2009. In the history of the Russian-Namibian relations, he is the first Russian President to visit Namibia.

2.His Excellency President Dmitry Medvedev and his delegation were warmly welcomed on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, as well as Senior Government Officials. The Official Welcoming Ceremony took place at State House the following morning, when H.E. President Pohamba, Cabinet Ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps warmly greeted the Honoured Guest. President Medvedev and his delegation were also enthusiastically welcomed by the public and local cultural groups.

3.Their Excellencies President Pohamba and President Dmitry Medvedev in a tête-à-tête, discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues of common interest.

4.At the bilateral level, President Pohamba and President Medvedev noted with appreciation and satisfaction the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their full commitment to further deepen and broaden these relations for the mutual benefit of their two peoples and countries in the spirit of the Joint Declaration on Principles of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Namibia signed in 1998.

5.President Pohamba reiterated sincere gratitude and appreciation of the people of Namibia for the diplomatic and material assistance provided by the Government and people of the Russian Federation during the struggle for freedom and national independence.

6.With a view to further expand and develop cooperation between the two countries, both sides underscored the need to increase exchange in the fields of trade and economics, science and technology, humanitarian and cultural matters that would correspond to the excellent political relations and existing opportunities for the development of a mutually beneficial partnership. Development of natural resources, infrastructure, energy, fisheries, military-technical cooperation, and cooperation in the field of tourism, education and public health services were identified as priority areas of bilateral cooperation.

7.President Pohamba and President Medvedev analyzed the current judicial base within the framework of the Namibian-Russian bilateral relations and witnessed the signing of the following agreements at the end of the Official Talks:

Agreement on the Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection between Namibia and Russia

Memorandum of Intention between the State Committee for Fisheries of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Namibia on Cooperation in the Field of Fisheries.

8.Agreement was also reached on the expansion of Russian investments to develop and introduce new large-scale projects in the Namibian economy, in particular in mining, oil exploration and energy.

9.The two Presidents further agreed to exert joint efforts in contributing to the building of a peaceful and thriving world and to boost mutual support and cooperation in multilateral fora.

10.Both Presidents expressed the necessity to strengthen the coordinating role of the United Nations Organization within international relations, improvement of the UN activities to increase its efficiency and the achievement of more appropriate responses to current global events in today’s evolving new world order. Both Presidents equally underlined that the reform UN of the key organs should be achieved through the widest possible international consensus on the given questions.

11.Both Leaders expressed the conviction that the global financial and economic crisis demands the formation of a new international financial system which should include the active participation of all members of the world community.

12.At regional level the two Presidents discussed the political, social and economic situation on the African continent. Both Presidents expressed concern about conflict and instability in certain regions, as well as social and economic difficulties in some African states. Both Leaders expressed their appreciation and support to the ongoing efforts of the African Union to resolve these issues. They stressed the importance of an elaboration of a mutually agreed position in respect of solving conflict situations on the continent, based on a priority of political and diplomatic methods. The recognition of the central role of the Security Council of the United Nations in questions of peace keeping was specifically underlined.

13.President Medvedev confirmed Russia’s determination to render assistance to African countries both on a bilateral basis, and within the framework of multilateral international mechanisms, including the «G8». President Pohamba welcomed and supported Russia’s participation and full support for efforts towards steady social and economic development of Africa and the prevention and resolving of the conflicts that threaten the stability of the region.

14.During his stay, President Medvedev laid a wreath at the Heroes Acre and visited the Okapuka Game Ranch, where he enjoyed a small taste of the touristic wonders of Namibia. H.E. Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation paid a courtesy call on President Medvedev.

15.His Excellency Dmitry Medvedev extended an invitation to H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba to visit the Russian Federation at a time convenient to him, which he accepted with pleasure.

16.His Excellency Dmitry Medvedev expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Government and people of Namibia, for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.

MIB

**Oneword** · 28th June 2009, 02:44 PM

From Ras-putin to Putin to Medvedev

When the the cold war ended with Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 an era came to an end. All of a sudden that was a power vacuum in the world. Russia (the old USSR) and its satellites were in disarray and the US of A did not quite know what do do ..... like a dog who has chased a car and actually caught it.

China (The "Yellow Peril" - Many sources credit Kaiser Wilhelm II with coining the phrase "Yellow Peril" (German: gelbe Gefahr) in September 1895) rather adroitly and quickly stepped into the void.

While the "Wars of Independence" and the "Fights against the Oppressors" were mostly over and Africa was by and large independent and autonomous (SA was to follow soon), something was missing. That something consisted of the huge amounts of money that were either converted to arms or favours that had flowed into the continent. That source of revenue had dried up suddenly and semi-permanently.

China, with its huge need for raw material, saw its chance and played a Yellow Father Christmas. And was indeed well received with his pockets bulging with billions of gifts and development aid.

But you can't keep a good system down and after some incredible contortions the Russian Bear was up again and voracious as ever. Unfortunately its feeding grounds had been usurped by would-be pretenders.

One such "feeding ground" is/was Africa: Thus the Russian Bear is back ...........

(The above just as a few random thoughts to the Russian Conundrum)

“Africa is waiting for our support” – Dmitry Medvedev

From gas to uranium to diamonds, hot deals were struck amid the soaring African temperatures during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to the continent.

President Medvedev returned home on Saturday. Summing up his trip, the president said Russia was “almost too late in engaging with Africa.”

“Work with our African partners should have been started earlier,” he said. “Africa is waiting for our support.”

Dmitry Medvedev’s whistle-stop tour took in four countries in five days and was seen as a reestablishment and strengthening of Russia’s stake in the region.

First stop – Egypt

The president picked the land of the Sphinx for his first trip to the Arab world and the first stop on his African tour.

Partners in the 1960s, Russia and Egypt are once again close. Egypt is now one of the most popular tourist destinations for Russians, with almost two million visitors last year. It has also become Moscow’s largest trade partner in Africa.

The Middle East peace process topped the agenda of the meeting.

“The talks on the Middle East conflict should result in the creation of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state with the capital in East Jerusalem that will coexist in peace and security with all countries in the region,” the Russian president told in his address to the League of Arab States.

Russia is keen for a bigger role in the region and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak threw his support behind Moscow’s proposal for a Middle East peace conference by the end of the year.

“Russia has a strong influence on the processes taking place in the Middle East,” he said. “We are interested in strengthening of Moscow’s role in resolving the situation in the region.”

Meanwhile, Moscow is also looking beyond Egypt.

The Soviet Union had a long history of close ties with African states stretching from Angola to South Africa. While the Russian influence dropped with the fall of the USSR, China invested huge sums in building relationships with Africa, and the US has also been seeking to extend its sway on the continent. Now Russia has a lot of catching up to do, which was the purpose of Medvedev’s African safari, with trade in mind throughout.

Gas cooperation with Nigeria

Nowhere was it more obvious than in oil-rich Nigeria. A joint gas exploration venture will be set up with Russia’s Gazprom. The $2.5 billion agreement is described as the biggest gas deal Nigeria has ever signed with a foreign partner. A nuclear energy pact was also agreed, paving the way for Russia to build nuclear power stations in the country.

“If we carry out all our plans, Russian investment in Nigeria could reach billions of dollars. Russia and Nigeria are leading oil and gas countries. We really need to work together in these areas,” Medvedev said on the aftermath of the meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Yar’Adua.

Boosting ties with Namibia

Next in Dmitry Medvedev’s trip came Namibia, where Medvedev was welcomed in traditional style. Several Russian companies are already active in the country, seeking to exploit Namibia’s vast uranium reserves.

Medvedev admitted that Russia’s return to Africa should have started earlier – though it’s not too late yet. He also quashed concerns that should Russia’s African oil and gas ambitions be realized, it would further strengthen its grip on Europe's energy supplies.

“We are the number one gas-producing country. We have the longest gas pipeline network, the longest pipes, and the biggest experience in building and operating gas pipelines,” the Russian leader said. “When we offer our services, it’s not a way of political domination – it’s business as usual. We’ll continue to work this way – and not just in Africa.”

Oil and diamonds in Angola

Dmitry Medvedev’s whirlwind tour ended in Angola, Moscow’s Cold War ally, rich in oil and diamonds.

Since the end of Angola’s civil war seven years ago the economy has boomed. Russian investments are very welcome there while Moscow is hoping to capitalize on its soviet era links to get more access to the country’s diamonds and energy. Angola currently heads OPEC, and Medvedev called for a coordination of efforts on world energy markets.

“The modern system of energy regulation is far from perfect,” he said after talks with his Angolan counterpart in Luanda, Angola's capital on Friday. “It mostly reflects the interest of one side of the energy chain, the consumers. Our countries are the biggest producers of energy resources – and of course we're interested in more fair legal regulation of these matters.”

The four-country tour was the longest around Africa taken by a Kremlin leader. Mending old ties, while building up new – this African trip was a chance Russia was not going to miss.

?Africa is waiting for our support? ? Dmitry Medvedev | Top Stories from 2009-06-28 | RT