France has invested heavily in nuclear technology and is today, arguably, the dominant player in the industry: in EdF we have a utility operating over 50 reactors; in Cogema we have a company operating in every sector of the fuel cycle industry; and in Framatome, perhaps the major nuclear reactor constructor in the world. As wedded as the country is to nuclear energy, France has to be aware of any potentially harmful developments - politically, socially and industrially. Neither can the international arena be neglected, where events can have a profound effect on France's worldwide interests. The following articles demonstrate how much energy and ingenuity France is devoting to resolving the many critical issues facing its nuclear industry, including safety, economics and waste disposal.
