By Mike Nartker
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — An organization that establishes export control regulations for nuclear trade has agreed to update a section of its guidelines concerning components that could be used to produce a nuclear reactor, a U.S. State Department official told Global Security Newswire yesterday (see GSN, May 23).

During an annual plenary meeting held last week in South Korea, the 40-member Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed to update the primary coolant pump entry on the group’s trigger list, the State official said.  Under group guidelines, members agree to only export items listed on the trigger list if they first receive assurances that the item will not be used to develop a nuclear weapon. 

The group also proposed several new entries for the trigger list, which should be finalized by the end of the year, the State official said, noting that the group agreed to work to improve the clarity and understanding of its guidelines.

During the meeting, group members also discussed the threats posed by Iran and North Korea, according to the State official.  The group expressed concern about Iran’s nuclear program, calling on Tehran to address unanswered questions about its nuclear activities.  They also discussed the crisis surrounding North Korea’s relaunched nuclear efforts and called on group members to increase their efforts to prevent Pyongyang from acquiring materials and technologies that could be used in its nuclear program.

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP

Back to top