NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION: Concerns With the U.S. International Nuclear Materials Tracking System
Abstract
Hundreds of tons of plutonium and highly enriched uranium have accumulated worldwide, and inventories of plutonium are expected to continue to grow in years to come as a result of reprocessing or recovering activities. Tracking and accounting for these and other nuclear materials are important to 1) ensure that nuclear materials are used only for peaceful purposes; 2) help protect nuclear materials from loss, theft, or other diversion; 3) comply with international treaty obligations; and 4) provide data to policymakers and other government officials. The United States regulates and controls its exports of civilian-use nuclear materials through three mechanisms-agreements for cooperation, export licenses, and subsequent arrangements (regulatory controls over certain cooperative arrangements for the supply, use, or retransfer of nuclear materials). Certain controls in the agreements for cooperation are designed to assure both the United States and the recipient nation or group of nations that materials transferred between parties will be used for authorized purposes only and will be properly safeguarded. DOE's tracking system contains data on nuclear materials supplied and controlled under international agreements, foreign contracts, import/export licenses, government-to-government approvals, and other DOE authorizations, such as authorizations to retransfer U.S. supplied nuclear materials between foreign countries. The tracking system also maintains and provides DOE with information on domestic production and materials management, safeguards, physical accountability, financial and cost accounting, and other data related to nuclear materials accountability and safeguards for NRC licenses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA344802
Entities
People
- Victor S. Rezendes
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office