NCJ Number
59811
Journal
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 81-88
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
ONLY WITH THE COOPERATION OF BOTH THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CAN SECURITY BE PROVIDED FOR MATERIAL IN THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE.
Abstract
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF SAFEGUARDS AND INSPECTION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA), STATES THAT SAFEGUARDS OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS ARE INVARIABLY BASED ON AGREEMENTS COORDINATED BETWEEN STATE GOVERNMENTS AND THE IAEA. SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENTS MUST EXTEND TO THE INDUSTRIES WHICH PRODUCE AND USE NUCLEAR MATERIAL, AND MUST BE A PART OF THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTANCY AND CONTROL OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL (SSAC). THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE SSAC IS THE AVOIDANCE OF DIVERTING NUCLEAR MATERIAL FOR ILLEGITIMATE PURPOSES. THE STATE'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST DIVERSION SHOULD BE PHYSICAL PROTECTION MEASURES SUCH AS INTRUSION ALARMS, FENCES, GUARDS, VAULTS, AND LIMITED ACCESS AUTHORITY. THE IAEA SAFEGUARDS, HOWEVER PROTECT AGAINST THE DIVERSION OF SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL, AND REQUIRE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ASSURANCE THAT NUCLEAR MATERIAL REMAINS WITHIN OR IS USED FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES. MEASURES REQUIRED UNDER SAFEGUARD AGREEMENTS INCLUDE THE TAKING OF A PHYSICAL INVENTORY AND THE EVALUATION OF PRECISION AND ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENTS. A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS NEEDED, HOWEVER, IN THE STATES' SYSTEMS, INCLUDING INCREASED INSPECTIONS BY THE IAEA. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL INDICATES THAT ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES AND SECURITY WILL BE STRENGTHENED. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)