Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct.3
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration joined the governments of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom in announcing the commissioning of four transportation vehicles specially designed to transport radiological materials.
In a ceremony today, U.S. Consul General Theresa Grencik, U.K. Regional Energy Officer Ann Herrigan and Kazakh Deputy Chairman Timur Zhantikin of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Committee highlighted the addition of the new vehicles as an example of the cooperation between the three countries to prevent nuclear terrorism.
"Our partnership here in Almaty and throughout Kazakhstan underscores a continued, shared commitment to the security of radioactive material that has lasted more than two decades," said DOE/NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Anne Harrington.
"The commissioning of these secure transportation vehicles enhances the level of radiological security in Kazakhstan, whose leadership has done so much to advance nuclear security."
The procurement of the secure transportation vehicles is made possible by a contribution from the United Kingdom to DOE/NNSA.
The U.S. and Kazakhstan share a long history of cooperation on nuclear nonproliferation issues. This cooperation includes many historical and ongoing projects. This cooperation covers the following spheres: secure long-term storage for more than 10 metric tons of highly enriched uranium (HEU); ongoing conversion of the research reactor at the Institute of Nuclear Physics from HEU to low enriched uranium and the elimination of all HEU located at the Institute; improvement of security for nuclear and radiological materials; commissioning of heavy-duty transportation security vehicles for IAE and MAEC in 2012; provision of radiation detection equipment to Kazakhstani ports of entry; bilateral cooperation on safeguards implementation; povision of training for Kazakhstani officials on export controls; and application of expertise of former nuclear weapons scientists to civil pursuits that advance global nonproliferation and security efforts.