1/97: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
IMPROVED NUCLEAR MATERIALS SAFETY AT SOSNY In an article in the Belarusian journal Vektor,
Deputy Chairman of Promatomnadzor Andrey Tukhto wrote that materials protection,
control, and accounting (MPC&A) at Sosny improved significantly since
international assistance programs began. The IAEA, Sweden, and Japan,
in conjunction with Promatomnadzor and Sosny scientists, have contributed
to strengthening control over Belarusian nuclear material by creating the
Plan for Coordinated Technical Assistance (PCTA). The Plan has succeeded
in creating a state MPC&A system on both government and reactor plant
levels, specifying a method of interaction between state agencies and local
plant operators, and working out government-specified requirements for
an MPC&A system. The Plan has already assisted Belarus in meeting
demands for physical protection, transportation and return of nuclear materials;
specifying areas between the state and nuclear facilities on questions
of nuclear responsibility; calling for increased physical security before
licensing those working with nuclear materials; and introducing security
programs for materials accounting on both state and facility levels.
In February and April 1996 Los Alamos National Laboratory invited Sosny
scientists to Albuquerque to attend courses on methods of MPC&A.
In Minsk, a group of international lawyers met with Promatomnadzor to give
insight on the establishment of the Belarusian law "On Radiation Safety
and the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy." Tukhto estimated that the
PCTA spent nearly $1 million on equipment installation and modernization.
He outlined several problems Belarus must work on in the near future: completing
an MPC&A information system, installing computer equipment and training
personnel; installing radiation and measuring equipment in laboratories
studying nuclear safety; obtaining technical assistance in developing a
national system of materials control for the transit of nuclear materials
and uranium products through Belarus; drafting legislation on nuclear protection;
completing the system for physical protection of materials; and training
personnel working with radioactive waste.
[Andrey Tukhto, "Natsionalnyye
mery i mezhdunarodnoye sotrudnichestvo v sfere obespecheniya yadernoy bezopasnosti
v Respublike Belarus," Vektor, Jaunary 1997, pp. 10-11.] {entered
3/13/98 djw}
10/1/96: MC&A: UPGRADES COMPLETED
AT SOSNY The Department of Energy reported the
completion of the new materials control and accounting system upgrades
at the Sosny Science and Technical Center.[1] Using CTR funding,
Sandia, Los Alamos, and Argonne National Laboratories participated in designing
the system, which complies with international norms for MC&A systems.[1,2]
Japan and Sweden also assisted in funding the project.[1]
Included in the physical upgrades outside the buildings were infrared intrusion
sensors, exterior lighting, video surveillance, security fencing, and turnstiles.
Inside the buildings, the project strengthened the fresh fuel vault, installed
motion sensors, established an entry control system for personnel entering
secure buildings, sealed windows, and set alarms. The Deparment of
Energy's main objective was to provide increased physical security for
Buildings 33 and 40, where all of the direct-use fissile material will
be stored. Department personnel also installed a computer-based materials
control and accounting system to track and report inventories to both national
and international authorities.[2]
[1] DoE Press Release, "DoE Secures
Nuclear Material In Belarus and Uzbekistan, Reduces Risk Of Nuclear Proliferation,"
10/1/96. [2] Improving Nuclear Materials
Security at the Sosny Science and Technical Center, US Department of
Energy, June 1997.] {updated 2/9/98 djw}
3/20/96:SANDIA-SOSNY MPC&A PROGRAMS OVERVIEW The Sandia National Laboratory has been assisting Belarus
in its efforts to develop modern and effective indigenous MPC&A capabilities
and upgrade the physical protection systems at Sosny. In FY95, a site survey
of Sosny was conducted, a site visit to Sosny was completed, a design information
exchange visited Sweden, and an as-ordered agreement (AOA) and task contract
negotiation and signing took place at Sosny. In FY96, 16 participants from
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Uzbekistan underwent basic physical protection
system design training. In addition, a site survey was completed for Sosny
building 40 and limited physical protection upgrades were installed in
this building, physical protection upgrades were installed in Sosny building
33, a design coordination exchange visited Sweden, and AOA task contract
negotiation and signing took place at Sosny.
[Statement of Tom Sellers, Director, International Security
Programs, Sandia National Laboratory, Before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee
on Investigations, Governmental Affairs Committee, 3/20/96, pp. 16-26.]
11/1/95:JAPANESE SUPPORT FOR BELARUSIAN MPC&A Japan
has provided materials, such as computers and xerox machines, to help with
the development of Belarusian MPC&A. The United States and Sweden have
provided consultations.
[CISNP Discussions with Belarusian official, 10/95.]
10/95: BELARUSIAN LAWS, REGULATIONS ON MPC&A DRAFTED It was reported that the Belarusian Committee for the Safe
Use of Atomic Energy is developing a system of material protection, control,
and accounting (MPC&A) in accordance with IAEA standards and regulations.
Projects on accounting and control have been completed and the law on "Regulations
For Physical Protection Of Nuclear Materials Usage, Storage, and Transportation"
has been enacted.
[CISNP Discussions with Belarusian official, 10/95.]
8/95-11/95:US TEAMS SURVEY SOSNY FOR MPC&A
UPGRADES U.S. inspection teams visited the site where in 4/94, U.S.
and Swedish experts conducted a joint site survey and recommended physical
protection upgrades to the IAEA. The United States will fund upgrades for
a central alarm station, MPC&A, training in physical protection, non-destructive
assay, tamper indicating devices, and other MPC&A equipment. All work
is expected to be completed by 12/96. Japan has provided a computerized
information system to monitor and control storage and movement of nuclear
material, as well as technology to manufacture measuring instruments, and
telecommunications upgrades to facilitate data exchange between Belarus,
Japan, and the IAEA. In addition, Belarus was scheduled to receive additional
MPC&A equipment and technical assistance from Sweden in early 1996.
Sources: [1] CISNP Interview With Belarusian Security Council
Official, 10/95. [2] Jessica Eve Stern, "Nunn-Lugar Activities To Improve
Fissile Material Protection, Control, and Accountability In The Former
Soviet Union," in John Shields and William Potter, eds., THE NUNN-LUGAR
COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM: DONOR AND RECIPIENT COUNTRY PERSPECTIVES
(Cambridge: MIT Press Forthcoming). [3] NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN, 11/1/94; in JPRS-TND-94-020,
"Tokyo To Give Technical Aid On Nuclear Materials To Belarus," 11/17/94,
pp. 6-7.
7/31/95: BELARUS--IAEA SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT ENTERS INTO
FORCE The 4/14/95 draft safeguards agreement (IAEA Information
circular 495), signed by the IAEA and the Belarusian Minister of Emergency
Situations and Chornobyl Affairs, entered into force. Representatives of
the IAEA met with Belarusian scholars and policy-makers and concluded that
IAEA aid to Belarus should concentrate on the formation of legislation
and infrastructure, a state system of registration and control of nuclear
materials, a modern system of physical protection, and an information system
for export-import control for nuclear materials.
Sources: [1] A. Mikhalevich, A. Iakoushev, A. Batalov, and Yuriy
Sivakov; "Ensuring Physical Protection Of Nuclear Materials In Belarus,"
REPORT DONE FOR CNS, 6/95. [2] A. N. Batalov, I. G. Serafimovich, and A. P. Iakoushev,
"The Problem of Control and Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials in
the Republic of Belarus," as prepared for a CISNP conference on MPC&A
and Export Controls in Minsk, 6/94. [3] "Thirty-Ninth Regular Session: Record Of The Third
Plenary Meeting Held 9/19/95," IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE, 12/13/95, p. 34. [4] A. N. Batalov, I. G. Serafimovich, and A. P. Iakoushev,
"Belarus Performance of International Obligations in the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Sphere and Guarantee of Physical Protection of Nuclear Material," THE INSTITUTE
OF ENERGY PROBLEMS, 6/94.
6/95: US-BELARUS MPC&A AGREEMENTS SIGNED Belarus signed an MPC&A implementing agreement with the
United States for work at Sosny. MPC&A discussions between the U.S.
and Belarus date to 9/92, and an umbrella agreement for U.S. Comprehensive
Threat Reduction assistance was concluded in 10/92. Japan and Sweden also
pledged technical assistance for improvement of MPC&A systems and have
formed a committee with the United States to coordinate such assistance.
4/95:UPDATE ON BELARUSIAN PHYSICAL PROTECTION
SYSTEMS To date, Belarus has received concrete assistance for establishment
of a physical protection system only from Japan. Belarus is due to receive
equipment from Sweden later this year.
[CISNP discussions with Belarusian official, 4/95.] 6/94:IAEA SEMINARS ON MPC&A FOR BELARUSIAN
OFFICIALS The IAEA sponsored seminars and training courses devoted
to problems of control and physical protection of nuclear materials for
Belarusian officials. In line with an official IAEA document, INFCIRC-225,
rev. 3, Belarus has developed regulations on physical protection of the
use, storage, and transport of nuclear materials. A law "On the Use of
Atomic Energy and Nuclear Safety" has been prepared and reviewed by the
proper ministries and departments in Belarus and the proper departments
in Sweden. A directive is now in place which requires a permit for the
transportation of nuclear materials and waste through Belarusian territory.
Sources: [1] A. N. Batalov, I. G. Serafimovich, and A. P. Iakoushev;
"The Problem of Control and Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials in
the Republic of Belarus," as prepared for a conference on MPC&A and
Export Controls in Minsk, 6/94. [2] A. N. Batalov, I. G. Serafimovich, and A. P. Iakoushev;
"Belarus Performance of International Obligations in the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Sphere and Guarantee of Physical Protection of Nuclear Material," THE INSTITUTE
OF ENERGY PROBLEMS, 6/94.
11/25/94:INTERNATIONAL MEETING TO COORDINATE MPC&A
ASSISTANCE TO BELARUS The United States, IAEA, Sweden, and Japan held a third meeting
to coordinate MPC&A assistance to Belarus. At the meeting, which was
held in Minsk, Belarus repeated its request for assistance from the United
States.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
11/94:BELARUSIAN OFFICIALS VISIT JAPAN FOR MPC&A
TRAINING Six officials from Belarus and Kazakhstan were invited to
visit Japanese nuclear facilities for a training program during which they
will study ways to control, measure, and protect nuclear materials. The
on-site training was given by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Science and Technology Agency at the following facilities: PNC's
O-arai Engineering Center, JAERI's Tokai Research Establishment, Nuclear
Material Control Center, and JAPC's first Tokai Atomic Power Station. In
addition, the officials will meet with experts from the Japan Atomic Energy
Institute and the Japanese Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp.
A spokesman from the Japanese Foreign Ministry said he hopes the training
program will help prevent nuclear smuggling from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
The training was carried out as part of a larger agreement signed in 9/94
which helps support denuclearization in Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Sources: [1] KYODO, 11/4/94; in "Tokyo To Train Belarus, Kazakhhstan
Nuclear Officials," JPRS-TND-94-020, 11/17/94. [2] ATOMS I7, N JAPAN, "Japanese Gov't Trains Six Experts
in N-Material Control From Ex-Soviet Union," 11/94, p. 24.
11/94: JAPAN TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL PROTECTION ASSISTANCE
TO BELARUS The Japanese Science and Technology Agency and the Japan
Atomic Power Research Institute will provide the technology necessary to
set up a physical protection system at the Nuclear Center at Sosny. Technology
will include a computerized information system to monitor and control storage
and movement of nuclear material, as well as technology to manufacture
measuring instruments. According to one article, the new material control
system will be in place by the end of 1995. In addition, Japan will help
Belarus renovate its telecommunications system in order to facilitate information
exchange between Japan, Belarus, and the IAEA. Belarus will be the first
former Soviet republic to receive such technical assistance from Japan.
Sources: [1] NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN, 11/1/94; in "Tokyo To Give
Technical Aid On Nuclear Materials To Belarus," JPRS-TND-94-020, 11/17/94,
pp. 6-7. [2] Radio Minsk Network, 9/23/94; in "Japanese Team Arrives;
Nuclear Safety Pact Expected," FBIS-SOV-94-185, 9/23/94, p. 58.
9/94: VIENNA MEETING TO COORDINATE MPC&A AID TO BELARUS The United States, IAEA, Sweden and Japan held a second meeting
in Vienna to coordinate MPC&A assistance to Belarus.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
6/94:IAEA REPORT ON MPC&A AT SOSNY A report on long- and short-term recommendations for improvement
of physical protection at the Sosny Research Center in Belarus was submitted
to the IAEA. Sweden and Japan agreed to fund the short-term MPC&A upgrade
recommendations.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
4/94:PHYSICAL PROTECTION SITE SURVEY IN BELARUS A physical protection site survey was carried out at the
Sosny Research Center by the United States, Sweden and Japan.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
3/94:FIRST VIENNA MEETING TO COORDINATE MPC&A
AID TO BELARUS The United States, IAEA, Sweden and Japan held a first meeting
in Vienna to coordinate MPC&A assistance to Belarus.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
1/94:SWEDISH AID FOR MPC&A Sweden approved $6.1 million in aid for nuclear fuel accounting
and control in the FSU.
[NUCLEAR NEWS, 2/94. p. 50.]
9/92:US ASSISTANCE TO BELARUS FOR MPC&A DISCUSSED Discussions were initiated on United States assistance to
Belarus in the sphere of material protection control and accounting (MPC&A).
An umbrella agreement was subsequently signed. Although Nunn-Lugar funds
have not been earmarked for Belarus for MPC&A, the U.S. has made $100,000
available from the FY95 DOE budget.
[DOE Public Information, Office of Nonproliferation and
National Security, 1/27/95.]
