(Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State) - The United States and Russia have signed a protocol that will allow liability issues to be resolved for an important nuclear nonproliferation program, the State Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced September 15, reports Trend.
NNSA's Elimination of Weapons-Grade Plutonium Production Program is designed to convert excess weapons-grade plutonium into forms that cannot be used for weapons by terrorists or others. According to a statement by State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, the protocol "is a key step to enable cooperation between the two countries."
The plan is for each country to convert 34 metric tons of excess weapon-grade plutonium into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel for use in nuclear reactors.
According to NNSA, which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science, irradiating the MOX fuel converts it into a form that cannot be used for nuclear weapons.
The total amount of plutonium envisaged for conversion under this program -- 68 metric tons (about 150,000 pounds) -- is equal to the amount used in more than 16,000 nuclear weapons. Eliminating this weapon-grade plutonium supports the president's National Security Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, McCormack said.
Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said the agreement "demonstrates that both countries continue to be committed to this important nonproliferation program. … It's an important part of the Bush administration's effort to keep nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists."
Robert Joseph, under secretary of state for arms control and international security, signed the protocol for the United States while Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak signed for his government.
Negotiations on the protocol were completed in 2005. The Russian government recently completed its formal process approving it for signature, according to the NNSA.
"Signing this protocol with our Russian partners formally resolves the issue of what liability framework would apply for cooperation … to eliminate this dangerous material from Russian and U.S. stocks," NNSA Administrator Linton Brooks said. The two sides are continuing to work together to implement the plutonium disposition agreement, Brooks added.
Under the original Cooperative Threat Reduction program initiated in 1992, Russia bore complete liability for anything that went wrong. In 1999, Russia would not agree to extend the agreement without a liability exception for intentional wrongdoing. Under the new protocol's limited exception, Russia would not be liable for damages resulting from deliberate wrongdoing on the part of a U.S. employee or contractor.
McCormack said that signing the protocol also would have "significant benefits for other cooperative programs between the United States and Russia," and that important nonproliferation and security discussions were proceeding on the basis of it.
On the logistical side, NNSA says it is nearing completion of site-preparation activities for construction of a mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility at the Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina. The agency is awaiting passage of its appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 before proceeding with construction.