US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1907

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001907 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR CACEN 
STATE FOR NRC/OIP - JACK RAMSEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, EAID, ENRG, KNNP, PGOV, PHUM, PREL, AM 
SUBJECT: GOAM REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO IDENTIFY ABANDONED 
RADIOLOGICAL SOURCES 
 
REF: A) YEREVAN 634 B) YEREVAN 312 C) YEREVAN 281 
 
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
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SUMMARY 
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2. (SBU) This is an action request.  In a dipnote dated 
October 21 and received October 26, Deputy Foreign Minister 
Arman Kirakossian officially requested USG assistance -- both 
financial and technical -- in locating and securing abandoned 
radiological sources in Armenia.  Recent arrests involving 
smuggled radiological materials of Armenian origin (reftels) 
-- including cesium-137 and uranium -- highlight the threat 
posed by uncontrolled and abandoned Soviet-era nuclear and 
radiological projects.  Post supports Kirakossian's request 
and seeks Department guidance on alternatives for assisting 
Armenian nuclear regulators.  End Summary. 
 
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TEXT OF GOAM DIPLOMATIC NOTE 
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3. (SBU) The English-langauage text of the diplomatic note 
follows.  Begin text: 
 
No. 13/12244 
 
H.E. Mr. John M. Evans 
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 
Embassy of the United States of America 
Yerevan 
 
Excellency, 
 
I am writing to underline once again, that since 1994 the 
Department of Energy and the National Regulatory Commission 
are permanent partners for the Republic of Armenia as a 
recipient country.  Therefore it is my pleasure to sincerely 
thank the Government of the United States for its continuous 
assistance and express our hope for future collaboration. 
 
Meanwhile, bearing in mind the importance of the improvement 
in nowadays the safe and secure protection and preservation 
of radioactive sources as an important part of antiterrorist 
measures, Armenia recognizes the significance of possible 
cooperative efforts undertaken by our two countries.  I have 
to inform you, that we have sites containing radiological 
materials and a number of additional sites that potentially 
may have abandoned radiological sources.  A search effort 
with use of appropriate technological devices would be 
beneficial for determination of orphan sources in case such 
ones are found. 
 
The Government of the Republic of Armenia is prepared to work 
with the United States technical counterparts to undertake a 
project aimed at search efforts to locate abandoned 
radiological sources.  While we are prepared to undertake 
this project utilizing personnel from the appropriate 
agencies, funds would be required for equipment and labor, as 
well as consolidation and security improvements if abandoned 
sources were found. 
 
This joint work will demonstrate strong cooperation in 
protecting radioactive materials from potential misuse.  I 
look forward to further discussion of this potential effort 
and the opportunity to work with the counterpart team from 
the US on this important initiative. 
I would also like to stress that collaboration of experts 
from our two countries on this project will certainly 
contribute into the joint actions of the international 
community to combat nuclear terrorism. 
 
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
  /s/ 
 
Arman Kirakossian 
Deputy Minister 
 
End text. 
EVANS