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Radiological Weapons: “Dirty Bomb” Conference Set for Next March The United States, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency yesterday announced plans to support a three-day international conference next March in Vienna to examine the dangers of radiological dispersal devices, known as “dirty bombs,” and develop an international plan to safeguard against them (see GSN, Sept. 16). “The detailed instructions on how to make dirty bombs found in al-Qaeda’s caves make horrifyingly clear our need to have a firm plan to reduce the vulnerability of dangerous radiological materials to acquisition by those seeking to use them as weapons,” U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said during a Washington press briefing with IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei. The conference will focus on recovering dangerous radiological sources, improving future controls on radioactive materials, strengthening border controls and responding to a dirty bomb attack, organizers said. “The primary purpose of this international conference is to address the new and present dangers posed to our communities and further develop the international framework for dealing with the specific threat posed by dirty bombs,” Abraham said (U.S. Energy Department release, Nov. 13). Meanwhile, the IAEA, with U.S. Energy Department support, has located five potent radiological devices in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the Washington Post reported earlier this week. The devices, known as Gamma Kolos, are lead-shielded containers that hold large amounts of cesium 137. The Soviet Union dispersed the cesium canisters through Georgia to measure the effect of radiation on plants (see GSN, Oct. 23). Four canisters have also been found in Moldova, the Post reported. “It’s like talc — extremely dispersible,” said Abel Gonzales, director of radiation and waste safety at the atomic agency. “You don’t even need a bomb. Just open a can and people will die,” he said (Joby Warrick, Washington Post, Nov. 11). U.S. personnel are in Moldova hunting for additional cesium containers, the U.S. Embassy in Moldova said Tuesday (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Nov. 13).
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