Nations Kick Off Nuclear Terror Prevention Group

Thirteen nations yesterday began the first session of a U.S.-Russian initiative to prevent nuclear terrorism, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Oct. 27).

Meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the group agreed to a set of principles to help nations monitor nuclear materials, protect nuclear facilities and intercept any smuggling efforts, AP reported.

The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism was first proposed by the United States and Russia at the July Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg (see GSN, July 19).

The two-day meeting in Rabat was attended by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — along with Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Turkey.

“The concern is fundamental.  We must stop terrorists from acquiring” nuclear weapons, said Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph, the head of the U.S. delegation.

His Russian counterpart said the United States and Russia were in full agreement on the initiative’s goals.

“It’s about galvanizing the elements in the world to protect … people from one of the most dangerous threats we face,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak.

“We do agree on some things.  We have disagreements and nuances on others,” he said, referring to how the international community should address the Iranian and North Korean nuclear crises (John Thorne, Associated Press/Houston Chronicle, Oct. 31).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.