Embassy Press Release

U.S. And Romania Agree to Equip Border Crossings to Help Prevent Nuclear Smuggling

Bucharest, September 15, 2008 (Courtesy of MIRA)

- RELATED INFO -

Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman Comments at SLD Agreement Signing(English)and(Românã)

Bucharest, September 15, 2008 (Courtesy of MIRA)

WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Romanian Frontier Police (FP) today announced an agreement to coordinate efforts to prevent nuclear smuggling by installing radiation detection equipment at multiple border crossings in Romania. The agreement signed today provides the framework for the two countries to work together to detect illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material.

“Today’s agreement with Romania will help keep nuclear and radiological material out of the hands of terrorists and criminals,” said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William Tobey. “This partnership with Romania is another important step in NNSA’s global effort to foster international partnerships to detect, deter and dispose of dangerous nuclear material around the world.”

U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Taubman joined Romanian Interior Minister Cristian David in signing the accord. The agreement will pave the way for NNSA to work collaboratively with the FP to install modern radiation detection systems at multiple border crossings, airports and seaports in Romania, as well as to provide related training on the use of this equipment.

The work will be performed by NNSA’s Second Line of Defense Program, which works collaboratively with foreign governments at border crossings, airports, seaports and other points of entry to install specialized radiation detection equipment and train officials to detect smuggled nuclear and other radioactive materials. NNSA has installed similar equipment at over 160 sites around the world.

Romania is a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism developed by Presidents Bush and Putin in 2006, which has grown to include 75 nations committed to expanding and accelerating the development of partnership capacity to combat the global threat of nuclear terrorism. The U.S. and Romania also cooperated on nonproliferation efforts in 2003, when the countries worked together to successfully return nearly 14 kilograms of Soviet-era highly enriched uranium to Russia.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit www.nnsa.energy.gov for more information.

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