the translation of this article isn't great, but its still an interesting read:
Kiev is playing in the "love triangle" Andrei Kosowski / 10.04.2008 13:05
Ukraine brought the novel "uranium" with Australia. To Russia was posgovorchivee?
Yesterday, it became known that the Government has again increased in the area of attracting foreign investment in the mining of uranium. Thus, the Ministry of Fuel and Energy and the Australian Uran Ltd agreed on the outline of the study, evaluation and development of two deposits of uranium in Ukraine. The very same company in its press release also pointed to the possibility of participation in the development Novokostiantynivka.
This - not the first attempt to call the company on the Australian market of Ukraine. In December 2006, signed a protocol on cooperation with East GOK. And Australians were so optimistic that already had intended in 2007 to begin work on the fields. Ukrainian realities proved to be more severe…
And so in 2008 Минтопэнерго again remembered on the Uran Ltd. Certainly, the outline of the study, evaluation and development does not mean the extraction of uranium. But, nevertheless, businessmen from Australia may already enjoy growth shares.
But Ukrainian citizens, calling for the diversified miners of uranium and simply for the increase in foreign investment, while rejoicing that sooner. The fact is that Uran Ltd hardly a major company in the field of mineral production. And if we choose epithets, the suit rather "small" and "ambitious".
Australians have a mountain of uranium mining projects in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. But with the implementation of the company has not yet emerged. The talks are held, but nothing more. Moreover, drew attention to the fact that Uran Ltd is a losing business. And its losses are stable throughout 2005 and 2006. That is, to paraphrase Ostap Bender, it is safe to say: it is clearly not Areva.
This raises a logical question: why Ukraine such a strategic investor in the industry? Indeed, the extraction of uranium - a guarantee of the country's future. Prices of goods will be so specific only to rise, along with a shortfall in the world market. Uranium - Ukraine's only real asset, which is 100% will enjoy high demand.
In general, if already in this area to allow aliens, with the name, and a solid portfolio of investments. Particularly promising fields such as Novokonstantinovskoe. Of course, how to motivate Ukrainian officials, businessmen known all over the world. Yet not to the extent "to" put the country…
On the other hand, it is possible that in the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Australians remembered not by accident, and is not a bribe. It's no secret that the market access of Ukrainian extraction of uranium more interested in other Russians. How to respond Moscow hearing on the agreement with the Australians? Clearly negatively. Indeed, Ukraine can blackmail Russia with the help Uran Ltd in negotiations. And they - not far off.
In favour of the version of "tactical" nature of contacts with the Australians said, and the fact that Spynogryz Energoatom JSC TVEL accused of violating agreements and the considerable increase in fuel prices. Almost all the experts and the media praised the statement as the beginning of a new war between Russia and Ukraine in the sphere of nuclear…
So it's likely that fighting in the front, this is not avoided. Signing A regular "paper" with Uran Ltd - is our response Chamberlain. Clumsy, pitiful, but all the same answer. As the saying goes: which country - and such a terrorist attack…
