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CHAIRMAN LINDER HOLDS HEARING ON TRENDS IN ILLICIT MOVEMENT OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
September 22, 2005
On September 22, 2005, Congressman John Linder (R-GA), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, held a hearing on “Trends in Illicit Movement of Nuclear Materials.” The hearing examined known cases of nuclear smuggling and focused on how terrorists might exploit existing narcotics networks and criminal organizations. The information provided in the hearing will be useful in guiding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts in developing and deploying a global architecture for nuclear detection.
A number of organizations track nuclear smuggling incidents. DHS, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, each compiles such information for various purposes. Within DHS, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) manages the Nuclear Assessment Program (NAP), which maintains a database of international nuclear smuggling incidences. In addition to DHS, the NAP supports and provides information to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the intelligence community.
“When it comes to nuclear smuggling, our interdiction efforts should take note of trends in the trafficking of nuclear materials,” Linder said. “We should also be aware of existing contraband smuggling routes and techniques of evasion currently used by criminal organizations. These methods present a well-worn path for clandestine distribution of materials, including human beings, around the globe.”
In addition to tracking nuclear smuggling, the Federal government is also working to counter nuclear smuggling, and has instituted a number of programs to secure materials at their source and detect their illicit movement. Additionally, by the authority of National Security Presidential Directive 43/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 14, the DNDO will develop a global, nuclear detection architecture. Efforts are currently underway at DNDO to implement this task in collaboration with other agencies.
“The Department of Homeland Security is currently developing, in collaboration with other agencies, a global system for nuclear detection,” Linder continued. “The challenge is daunting, and the relevant geographical area is enormous. We have also heard in previous subcommittee hearings of the inherent limitations of detection technology. We must therefore focus our resources where they can be most effective.”
“It has often been said that defending against nuclear terrorism will require a multi-layered approach,” Linder concluded. “Given the complexity of the problem and the extraordinary consequences of a successful nuclear event, we must look to any and all opportunities for preventing such an attack. I am hopeful that the information provided in this hearing will be useful in guiding DHS’ efforts in developing and deploying a successful and effective global architecture for nuclear detection.”
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