Cooperative RDD Work in States of the Former Soviet Union

Over the past eight years, the U.S. Department of Energy and Russia’s Ministry of Atomic Energy have cooperated in the protection of nuclear materials. Through our joint efforts, security has been increased on tons of material. After the attacks of September 11, we have reassessed the types of materials warranting protection. Indeed, the world was shocked by the destructive capabilities of suicidal fanatics and the threat of a radiological dispersal device (RDD), or “dirty bomb” being used to employ terror emerged as a frightening possibility. Recognizing the threat of radiological terrorism, in May 2002, U.S. Secretary of Energy Abraham and Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) Minister Rumyantsev established a cooperative approach for securing radiological materials. In addition to their bilateral cooperation, both states enlisted the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) support to help increase security of radiological sources throughout the former Soviet states. The RDD Program’s work with Russia began with a focus on the network of regional waste storage facilities called Radons. The Radons house a wide variety of materials and are being evaluated for potential security upgrades. The program has expanded to include cooperative projects in, Azerbaijan, the Baltics, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. In addition to providing upgrades at facilities storing and utilizing radiological materials and consolidation sources, the RDD program is moving to locate, recover and increase security of abandoned/orphaned sources throughout the states of the former Soviet Union (FSU). These are sources that for one reason or another have fallen outside of regulatory control. Minatom and the IAEA are providing support in this area. By combining our resources, security over a significant number of sources attractive for use in an RDD will be increased.