7/2/2004
UN Nuclear Watchdog Calls For Stronger Security To Fight Proliferation

The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency this week reiterated its call for a "vital" upgrading of security to prevent nuclear technology from falling into the wrong hands through an emerging global network of sophisticated black marketeering in weapons technology.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a news release drawing attention to recent statements by its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, dealing with the problem, including additional information that has come from the agency's ongoing verification of nuclear programmes in Iran and Libya.

Mr. ElBaradei raised the issue during his participation in sessions on global and regional security at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and in press interviews last month, stressing the mounting challenges facing the world's regime to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for a stronger security framework, the release noted.

"What we are seeing is a very sophisticated and complex underground network of black market operators not that much different from organized crime cartels," he said. "We are very much into the process of investigating key pieces of this complex picture, with assistance from a number of countries.

"It's vital that we keep making progress in combined efforts against illicit trafficking, and to keep upgrading security to effectively prevent sensitive nuclear material and technology from falling into wrong hands," he added.

He stressed that the emerging picture so far has not indicated governments are involved, but rather points to individuals engaged in illicit trafficking of material and equipment.

Over the coming weeks, the IAEA Board of Governors is set to receive reports from Mr. ElBaradei on the IAEA's verification of nuclear programmes in Iran and in Libya. The Board meets in Vienna on 8 March.