Strengthening Long-Term Nuclear Security

In July 2005, the National Academies released the report Strengthening Long-term Nuclear Security: Protecting Weapon-Usable Material in Russia. The report highlighted several obstacles in the transition from a U.S.-Russian cooperative program to a Russian-directed and Russian-funded fully indigenized program that will ensure the security of 600 tons of weapon-usable nuclear material at a level of international acceptability. Overcoming these obstacles requires an increased political commitment at a number of levels of the Russian Government to modern material protection, control, and accounting systems (MPC&A). Adequate resources must be provided to facilities where weapon-usable material is located for upgrading and maintaining MPC&A systems. Additionally, the technical security systems that are being installed through the cooperative program need to be fully embraced by Russian managers and specialists. The report recommends the establishment of a ten-year indigenization fund of about $500 million provided by Russia and its G-8 partners as a new mechanism for gradually shifting the financial burden of MPC&A to the Russian Government. Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Responding to the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism
2 The Need for Russian Champions for MPC&A
3 Financial Support for MPC&A Activities
4 Improved Approaches to Facilitate Indigenization
Epilogue
Appendix A Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in the Area of Nuclear Material Physical Protection, Control, and Accounting
Appendix B Specific Recommendations from Two Previous National Research Council Reports Concerning Indigenization of MPC&A
Appendix C Committee Biographies
Appendix D United States Legislative Basis for DOE MPC&A Activities in Russia and DOE MPC&A Program Description
Appendix E The U.S. Department of Energy’s Approach to Materials Protection, Control, and Accounting Sustainability in Russia
Appendix F List of Consultations and Site Visits by the Committee
Appendix G Timeline of the U.S. Department of Energy- Ministry of Atomic Energy Cooperation
Appendix H U.S. Congressional Appropriations and Funding Projections for MPC&A Cooperative Program with the Russian Federation
Appendix I Russian Facilities Participating in the Cooperative MPC&A Program as of June 2005
Appendix J Russian Federal Target Program on Nuclear and Radiation Safety in Russia for 2000–2006