19/9/2003
UN Atomic Agency Increases Counter Terrorism Measures

The United Nations atomic watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has raised $23 million for security measures ranging from emergency plans against "malicious acts" to combating the smuggling of radioactive materials. But, the agency said this week, more still needs to be done to thwart nuclear terrorism.

"On the safety and security front, we can take satisfaction in the degree of progress, but we must remain vigilant, and clearly much work is still urgently needed," IAEA Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei told the agency's 47th General Conference in Vienna. "Despite the increased level of attention given to the security of radioactive sources since September 2001, many countries still lack the programmes and resources properly to respond to the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism," Mr. ElBaradei said in his opening address.

He noted that nearly $23 million had been pledged to the IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund in voluntary contributions from 21 countries and one donor organisation in the campaign to strengthen "countries' nuclear security arrangements against malicious acts" following the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001. Of this over $13 million had already been received.

As part of the campaign, the IAEA is helping member states identify and protect vulnerabilities at their nuclear installations, including nuclear material in use, storage or transport. It has run 40 related advisory and evaluation missions throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America since September 2001, and convened 60 training courses, workshops and seminars.

In order to counter nuclear smuggling, the IAEA is helping to strengthen member states' abilities to detect radioactive material at their borders and respond to illicit trafficking in conjunction with the international police organisation Interpol, Europol, the Universal Postal Union and the European Commission.