International aspects of controlled fusions research: the role of IAEA

As more and more countries move into fusion research efforts to exploid the possibilities of coordination and cooperation are of obvious interest. Some of the previous activies of IAEA in this field are mentioned briefly. More details are given on the INTOR workshop begun in 1978 which is a joint effort of the four major fusion blocks Euratom, Japan, the USA and the USSR. It concerns the Tokamak line and should prepare for an experiment in the early 1990. Several phases of the project have been already completed and documented. Phase II A whose objectives are given is also completed and a report is expected by the end of 1983. It contains an international consenies on the optimum approach to the INTOR machine, a 600 MW(th) experimental reactor. Whereas cooperation worked well in the stage of fundamental research, now the phase is attained where in approaching engineering feasibility and commercial implications the four fusion blocks (see above) are more and more inclined to go it alone. (G.Q.)