Nuclear wastes: society problem or technical question?

During this conference day organized by the French society of nuclear energy (SFEN), several aspects of nuclear wastes were discussed and are summarized in this short paper: the dialectics of nuclear wastes; the point of view of the 'Robin des Bois' ecologist association; the safety of wastes; the French law from December 30, 1991 (separation-transmutation, deep underground disposal, packaging and storage); three examples of natural confinement analogues (uranium mines and Oklo 'reactor'); the point of view of the national commission of evaluation; the hidden aspects of communication in the domain of nuclear wastes; the other projects and studies in OECD countries; the management of wastes at the end of the fuel cycle; the main highlights of 1999 relative to the image of nuclear power in the media. (J.S.)