U.S. Deploys Nuclear Experts to China for Olympics

U.S. Energy Department nuclear detection experts have been quietly sent to China to help safeguard the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing against a radiological “dirty bomb” attack, the Washington Times reported Friday (see GSN, June 13).

Bush administration officials said China has obtained intelligence suggesting that an attempted terrorist strike on the Olympics have a high chance of involving radiological material spread with conventional explosives.

The revelation led to the deployment of a U.S. Nuclear Emergency Support Team to Beijing.  Such teams are known to patrol for signs of nuclear devices with radiation sensors concealed in briefcases, bags or vans, often under the cover of night, the Times reported.

The team, consisting of about 10 nuclear weapons scientists and analysts largely culled from U.S. nuclear laboratories, is expected to advise Chinese officials ahead of the games’ scheduled start on Aug. 8.

Meanwhile, China announced last week that authorities in Beijing would respond to a simulated dirty bomb attack in a preparatory exercise.  It remains uncertain whether the U.S. team would be involved in the drill (Bill Gertz, Washington Times, June 20).

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.