IMPROVED SAFEGUARDS USING TRUE DUAL USE TECHNOLOGY

In a bold move, an effort is currently underway to use truly dual use technology to leverage improved safeguards in several emerging economy jurisdictions. In this effort, a dual use infrastructure is being put in place to provide much needed real-time remote safeguards and environmental monitoring as well as provide the technology bootstrap by which an important economic benefit can realized by the host country as a whole. The effort involves the installation of a technology infrastructure which provides the means through which real time monitoring of illicit trafficking, as well as safeguards and environmental assay equipment can take place. This system also has the dual purpose of acting as a instrument to selectively and effectively mitigate smuggling and underground economic activity through the provision of real time cargo tracking and diversion detection of imported and exported commodities. The scale and benefits offered by the non safeguards application are of such a magnitude that it can, on its own, support the operation of the safeguards infrastructure, but only if the infrastructure is available. As a result of this approach, the provision of the required safeguards infrastructure is all that is needed to install a viable self supporting safeguards system. The most significant feature of this mode of deployment is that prolonged and continuos safeguards operation is ensured without the need to provide continuos or long term support funding for field operations. It is interesting to note that it is this same approach of self sufficiency and broad based benefit that is being charted by the IAEA through its medium term strategy and the “one house approach” which promotes cooperation between its technology, safeguards and safety pillars. This paper presents the details of the current effort, the significant benefits that are being provided to international organizations and to the host and granting countries. The paper also provides details on a number of candidate dual use systems which can further provide commercial, economic and humanitarian as well as safeguards and nuclear safety benefits to the host countries and geographic regions.