U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson and Russian Federation StateCustoms CommitteeChairman Valeriy Draganov dedicated the installation of equipment to combatthe trafficking ofillicit nuclear materials at Russian borders in a ribbon-cutting ceremonyat Moscow'sSheremetyevo-1 international airport today. Secretary Richardson is inRussia accompanyingPresident Clinton, whose summit with Russian President Boris Yeltsinunderscores the UnitedStates' stake in the success of a peaceful, stable, democratic Russia.

With the assistance of technical experts from several Energy Departmentlaboratories, Russiarecently installed equipment to detect nuclear materials at the Moscowairport which servesdomestic and international flights to countries which may pose aproliferation concern.

"Preventing nuclear smuggling is crucial to preserving a world free ofnuclear terrorism," saidSecretary Richardson. "This historic cooperation demonstrates the UnitedStates' and Russia'scommitment to reducing the proliferation of nuclear weapons not only atproduction and storagesites but at the borders as well."

While the Energy Department's material protection, control andaccounting (MPC&A) programhelps Russia control its fissile or nuclear materials at the source, DOE'sSecond Line of Defenseprogram assists Russia in preventing illicit nuclear materials andequipment from crossing theborder. (U.S.–Russian cooperation to improve security at Russiannuclear facilities represents the"first line of defense" in addressing this threat.)

The Department of Energy signed a protocol with Russian FederationCustoms in June calling forcooperation to reduce smuggling of nuclear and "dual-use" equipment,materials and technologyfrom Russia. DOE has agreed to provide initial funding to purchase andinstall Russian-manufactured equipment to demonstrate the applicability ofnuclear detection technology at keyRussian ports, airports and border crossings.

The overall collaborative program between DOE and the Russian customsagency includesparticipation from several Energy Department laboratories and facilities.To install nucleardetection equipment at the Moscow airport, technical experts from theDepartment of Energy'sLos Alamos National Laboratory assisted the Russian Federation StateCustoms Commission inidentifying a system of portal monitors and video surveillance equipmentthat can detect nuclearsmuggling activity. A Russian company called Aspect built the portalmonitors; Los Alamospreviously worked with Aspect to test and certify its equipment for portalmonitoring and otherapplications.

In coming months, DOE and its multi-laboratory team will cooperate withRussian agencies toprovide equipment and training for Second Line of Defense objectives. Inthe near termequipment will be installed at a seaport on the Caspian Sea as well asSheremetyevo airports inMoscow. A training program for Russian customs officials leveragingexisting U.S. and Russiantraining experience and resources will be developed in FY 1998 andimplemented in FY 1999.