US Focus On Preventing NK and Iran From Obtaining Nuclear Materials

The US government on May 6 suggested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take tougher and more comprehensive measures against the transfer of nuclear-related technology and materials so as to prevent North Korean and Iran from acquiring additional nuclear-related materials such as distributing `monitoring lists` to signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Assistant Secretary of the US State Department Andrew Semel maintained, “It is certain that North Korea and Iran have already obtained nuclear enrichment technology. And in the process of acquiring the technology, other countries must have helped them,” in a speech to the preparation committee on the NPT assessment meeting (scheduled for 2005). The NPT preparation committee meeting began on April 28 and will last until the end of this week.

The Assistant Secretary of the State also emphasized, “There should be more comprehensive measures in place to prevent those countries from acquiring additional nuclear materials. Countries need to exchange information to find out that private companies involved in the process of transferring nuclear technology are coincided with the final consumers.”

“The Nuclear Supplier`s Group should work on a system to provide information on suspicious clients to nuclear companies dealing with nuclear weapons-related materials. Tough punishments should be applied to those who violate the measures preventing nuclear technology transfer,” he added.

“North Korea despised the IAEA by having taken a series of provocative actions, including refusing the provision of nuclear-related information, dispelling IAEA`s inspectors. Tougher measures are needed to prevent the reoccurrence of similar cases in the future,” he said.

sechepa@donga.com