Global Security Newswire

An exercise testing Moroccan authorities' ability to deal with the threat of a radiological "dirty bomb" wrapped up today in the capital city of Rabat, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration announced (see GSN, Jan. 21, 2010).

Officials from eight Moroccan government ministries participated in the drill, which started on Tuesday. Also present were 140 officials from 28 nations and two international groups, according to an NNSA press release.

The nuclear agency, a semiautonomous branch of the U.S. Energy Department, helped to prepare the drill conducted under the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.

“Exercises like this are part of NNSA’s effort to implement the president’s nuclear security agenda by investing in the future of global nuclear emergency response capabilities,” NNSA Associate Administrator Joseph Krol said in the release. “The high level of participation at this exercise demonstrates the continued importance of these efforts and a shared commitment on the part of our international partners. We wish to extend our thanks to Morocco for being a leader within the GICNT.”

The agency's Emergency Operations Office has supported first response and related training efforts in Morocco, which has also benefited from NNSA equipment assistance for detection, nuclear plume tracking and other operations.

"NNSA currently collaborates with more than 80 foreign governments and 10 international organizations with projects ranging from providing assistance to foreign governments in improving their emergency preparedness and response programs, to joint collaborative activities to improve emergency management infrastructure worldwide," according to the release.

The agency noted that the Obama administration for the next budget year is seeking in excess of $222 million for NNSA nuclear counterterrorism and emergency response activities (U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration release, March 25).