NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION: U.S. Efforts to Combat Nuclear Smuggling
Abstract
I will address (1) the different U.S. federal programs tasked with combating the international threat of illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and the amount of U.S. funding spent on this effort, (2) how well the U.S. assistance is coordinated among federal agencies, (3) the effectiveness of the international assistance equipment and training provided by the United States, and (4) information about efforts to combat nuclear smuggling at U.S. borders. My statement today is based on the results of our May 16, 2002, report on this subject1 and information we obtained from the U.S. Customs Service in May and June 2002. In summary, U.S. efforts to help other countries combat nuclear smuggling are divided among six federal agencies the Departments of Energy (DOE); State; and Defense (DOD); the U.S. Customs Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and the U.S. Coast Guard. From fiscal year 1992 through fiscal year 2001, the six agencies spent about $86 million to help about 30 countries, mostly in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe, combat the threat of smuggling nuclear and other materials that could be used in weapons of mass destruction. The six agencies have provided a variety of assistance, including installing radiation detection equipment, helping countries improve their ability to control the export of goods and technologies that could be used to develop nuclear weapons, and providing other equipment and training to generally improve countries' ability to prevent nuclear smuggling. In particular, DOE has installed radiation detection monitors at eight border crossings and plans to install similar equipment at close to 60 sites in Russia through its Second Line of Defense program. The State Department has provided radiation detection monitors, mobile vans equipped with radiation detectors, hand-held detectors, and other assistance to about 30 countries. DOD has also provided equipment and other assistance to about 20 countries. 7
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404072
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office