(UPI) - The United States has signed a nuclear material safeguards agreement with Kazakhstan.
As part of the overall U.S. strategy to prevent nuclear and dangerous radiological materials from falling into the hands of terrorists, the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration announced Friday that it had signed an agreement with Kazakhstan to create a partnership under the Second Line of Defense program, reports Trend.
U.S. Ambassador John Ordway joined Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee Chairman Askar Shakirov in signing the accord. The agreement will pave the way for NNSA to work collaboratively with the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee to install radiation detection equipment at strategic border crossings throughout Kazakhstan to identify and deter illicit nuclear or radiological materials, the agency said.
"Establishing strong border security partnerships with willing partners such as Kazakhstan are critical to preventing the smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The U.S. and Kazakhstan share a strong commitment to keeping nuclear weapons beyond the reach of terrorists," Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman said.
Under the agreement, NNSA's Second Line of Defense program will work together with Kazakhstan officials to install radiation detection and integrated communications equipment and train law enforcement officials to detect nuclear or radiological material smuggled inside cargo.
The Second Line of Defense program is a worldwide initiative that uses detection and deterrence to minimize the risk of nuclear proliferation, illegal trafficking and terrorism. It works by installing radiation detection equipment and training personnel at strategic international border locations, airports and seaports.