Pages

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

In Focus: Nuclear Security Summit, April 12-13
redline

Updated March 17, 2010
By Sarah Diehl and Paula Humphrey
In April 2009 in Prague, President Obama pledged to address the international threat posed by nuclear weapons and nuclear materials by taking three steps: 1) reducing and eventually eliminating nuclear arsenals; 2) shoring up the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons; and 3) barring terrorists from acquiring nuclear materials. President Obama and his administration believe that nuclear terrorism is the "most immediate and extreme threat to global security." To address that threat, Obama has proposed that the international community make an effort to secure dangerous nuclear materials and to stop trade and transit of nuclear materials within four years. At the meeting between the Group of Eight (G8) leaders in L'Aquila, Italy, Obama announced plans to host a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC in spring 2010. The date for the summit is now set for April 12-13 at the Washington Convention Center.

"President Obama addresses the UN Security Council regarding the threat of nuclear weapons, September 24, 2009."
Source: www.whitehouse.gov
The event will bring together approximately 40 world leaders[1] from both NPT and non-NPT member states to discuss steps to protect nuclear materials and disrupt attempts to commit nuclear terrorism. The goal of the summit is for participating nations to work together to improve their nuclear security infrastructures, share best practices, and raise international standards for nuclear security. According to a July 8, 2009 White House press release: "The planned outcome of the summit would be a communiqué pledging efforts to attain the highest levels of nuclear security, which is essential for international security as well as the developments and expansion of peaceful nuclear energy worldwide." In September 2009, the Obama administration reinforced the importance of the Nuclear Security Summit when the president presided over the UN Security Council meeting that adopted Resolution 1887 on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament. Two key goals of this initiative are to secure nuclear materials and minimize the civil use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in order to mitigate the risk that terrorists will acquire and build a nuclear bomb or radiological device. (for more information on HEU see article below)
The possibility that terrorists will acquire nuclear materials is a real and growing threat, particularly as Al-Qaeda leaders have often voiced their interest in acquiring a nuclear weapon and as stockpiles of fissile materials continue to expand. Approximately 130 civilian nuclear reactors worldwide continue to utilize HEU.[2] The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) issued a report in 2009 estimating that current stockpiles of HEU total approximately 1,300—1,900 metric tons (or the equivalent of 60,000 nuclear weapons). Stocks of separated plutonium are estimated at 475—525 metric tons, or enough to make approximately 60,000 first generation nuclear bombs.[3] Although a bomb based on plutonium as a component is more difficult to construct than one with HEU, both fissile materials are of concern to international security.
Various governments planning to attend the April summit have organized conferences in advance of the event in order to coordinate a more successful international summit. Japan indicated its commitment to nuclear security measures by hosting a conference for Asian countries in January 2010. The following month, the Netherlands led a preparatory meeting that took place in The Hague in order to further focus the goals of the April summit. Specifically, delegates at this February meeting worked on the preliminary formulation of a Joint Statement that is expected to be the final result of the April proceedings. The Fissile Materials Working Group (FMWG) also plans to conduct a pre-summit conference with participants from various NGOs.
International efforts to improve nuclear security have long been underway. In particular, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, in cooperation with 17 different countries, has worked to remove "significant" HEU stocks that could be of proliferation concern. The upcoming summit is also expected to build on several on-going initiatives by international organizations and treaty members to control illicit trade in nuclear materials.
  • The Nuclear Suppliers Group, an organization with 46 participating states, provides advisory guidelines for export of nuclear and nuclear-related materials;
  • UN Security Council Resolution 1540, adopted in 2004, requires all UN member states to implement measures aimed at preventing non-state actors from acquiring nuclear weapons, their means of delivery, and related materials;
  • The Proliferation Security Initiative, established in 2003 by President George W. Bush, involves a worldwide effort to combat the trafficking of WMD using existing national and international authorities. The initiative is targeted specifically toward preventing potential proliferating states and non-state actors from acquiring WMD;
  • The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism receives support from 77 partners, including governments and international organizations, which strive to implement the agreed-upon Statement of Principles to further combat nuclear terrorism;
  • The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, with 141 state parties, governs the protection of nuclear material for peaceful purposes while it is being transported internationally;
  • The Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction calls for the funding and implementation of projects organized by the G8 nations to prevent terrorist acquisition of WMD or related materials;
  • The Cooperative Threat Reduction program, initiated by Senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar, allocates funds for the decommissioning of former nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons facilities located in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union;
  • UN Security Council Resolution 1887 underscores the Security Council's concern about WMD proliferation and draws attention to specific goals that must be pursued to mitigate this threat, including: a renewed commitment to a world devoid of nuclear weapons, a stronger NPT, and improved security measures to prevent acquisition of WMD; and
  • The draft Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), if and when it enters into force, would forbid nations from producing plutonium and HEU; however, the FMCT remains largely deadlocked in negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament.
While the Nuclear Security Summit participants will no doubt focus on current efforts to halt nuclear trafficking in these types of materials, analysts have also urged that they adopt new initiatives as well as measures for post-summit implementation. One analyst in particular has called for specific reporting schedules to ensure commitment to the goals outlined by the summit.[4] Criticism of the proposed goals extends to members of Congress, some of whom have expressed skepticism that all nuclear materials can be secured within four years.

Why Highly Enriched Uranium is a Threat

Updated September 2009
 The most difficult challenge for a terrorist organization seeking to build a nuclear weapon or improvised nuclear device is obtaining fissile material, either plutonium or highly enriched uranium (HEU). HEU, uranium that has been processed to increase the proportion of the U-235 isotope to over 20%, is required for the construction of a gun-type nuclear device, the simplest type of nuclear weapon. The greater the proportion of U-235 (i.e. the higher the enrichment level), the less material is needed to cause a nuclear detonation. "Weapons-grade" uranium generally refers to uranium enriched to at least 90%, but material of far lower enrichment levels, found in both fresh and spent nuclear fuel, can be used to create a nuclear explosive device........click link above to read the rest of the article

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

President's Schedule: Tuesday, April 13

It's day two of the Nuclear Security Summit and and it looks like the administration is gaining a bit of ground on its efforts to isolate Iran and impose economic sanctions.

The key phrase here is "a bit." Although White House officials say Chinese President Hu Jintao has agreed to negotiate with the U.S. on tightening the screws on Iran, the question is: What kind of sanctions, exactly? The Chinese aren't saying - at least publicly - and there are no indications they'll go along with anything as tough as what the U.S. and allies like France are calling for.

Indeed, there have been signs that to get the Chinese and Russians - both of whom hold critical veto power in the U.N. Security Council - on board, that the Obama administration has been watering down its position, in hopes of eventually getting Beijing and Moscow on board. WWR recently asked presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs, for instance, if cutting off gasoline shipments to Iran was still on the table. Gibbs demurred (Iran is a giant oil producer but can't refine much of it, which is why it has to import much of its gasoline).

To underscore China's reluctance to back Obama on Iran, while Hu was here in Washington yesterday, a foreign ministry official back in Beijing said "Sanctions and pressure cannot fundamentally resolve the issues.”

Earlier, the White House counterterrorism advisor, John Brennan, told reporters that both al- Qaeda and organized criminal networks remain focused on getting their hands on highly enriched uranium or plutonium - essential to making a nuclear weapon - and warned, ominously, that the clock was ticking.

"We cannot wait any longer," he said, "Before we lock down these stockpiles, because we don't want to have any type of materials that fall into the hands of terrorist groups because the results would be devastating."

*****

The Schedule


The final day of the nuclear security summit begins with the usual group photo with Heads of Delegation (also known as the "Class Photo"). President Obama will then deliver remarks at the first Plenary Session; after a working lunch there will be a second Plenary.

Heads of state who will sit down with the President today include Turkish Prime Minster Erdogan Argentina's President Fernandez and German Chancellor Merkel.

Obama will also squeeze in a news conference at 4:30 this afternoon.


EDT


9:20AM THE PRESIDENT participates in Heads of Delegation Group Photo
Washington Convention Center


9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT attend Plenary Session I of the Nuclear Security Summit, THE PRESIDENT delivers opening remarks


12:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends Heads of Delegation working lunch
Washington Convention Center Dining Room

1:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minster Erdogan of Turkey
Washington Convention Center

2:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends Plenary Session II of the Nuclear Security Summit
Washington Convention Center

4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with President Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a press conference
Washington Convention Center

5:15PM THE PRESIDENT attends Heads of Delegation reception
Washington Convention Center Dining Room


6:00PM THE PRESIDENT holds bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel of Germany
Washington Convention Center

 Sunday, April 11, 2010

President's Schedule: Monday, April 12

Washington, a city that has seen its fair share of spectacles, is witnessing another one over the next two days. It is the Nuclear Security Summit, a gathering of leaders from 47 countries. It's the biggest event hosted by a U.S. President since Harry Truman welcomed leaders to the founding of the United Nations in 1945. It's so big, the White House moved the whole thing to the cavernous Washington Convention Center, and a big chunk of downtown DC is essentially one giant security zone.

President Obama - the Nobel Peace Prize winner - wants to rid the world of nuclear weapons, although he admits this probably won't happen in in his lifetime. But another goal is, he thinks, within reach: keeping nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Speaking with reporters Sunday, Obama said the nightmare scenario of a "loose nuke" falling into the hands of, say, al-Qaeda, is the #1 national security threat to the United States.

"We know that organizations like al Qaeda are in the process of trying to secure a nuclear weapon -- a weapon of mass destruction that they have no compunction at using. There (is) a lot of loose nuclear material around the world," he said, adding if a nuclear weapon ever went off in New York, London or elsewhere, "The ramifications economically, politically, and from a security perspective would be devastating."

But what about actual countries like North Korea, which has successfully tested a nuclear weapon, and Iran, which is believed to be working on one? They're not invited. But their behavior and nuclear programs are likely to be discussed in depth.

“We fear North Korea and Iran because their behavior as -- in the first case, North Korea being -- already having nuclear weapons, and Iran seeking them -- is that they are unpredictable,” said Clinton on ABC's “This Week”.

The summit officially begins today. But Sunday Obama walked across the street from the White House to Blair House, for a series of meetings with leaders from India, Pakistan (both have nuclear weapons of their own), South Africa, Kazakhstan (which have given up nuclear programs) and Nigeria.

Among the leaders Obama will meet one-on-one with today: King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine, President Serzh Sargsian of Armenia, and President Hu Jintao of China.

In the evening, the President will also welcome each head of delegation to the National Security Summit. Later, he'll host a working dinner for Heads of Delegation in the Washington Convention Center Dining Room.

The Schedule


EDT


10:15AM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the Convention Center to attend the Nuclear Security Summit

10:45AM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan
Washington Convention Center

11:45AM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia
Washington Convention Center

12:55PM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine
Washington Convention Center

1:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Serzh Sargsian of Armenia
Washington Convention Center

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Hu Jintao of China
Washington Convention Center

5:00PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes Heads of Delegation to the National Security Summit
Washington Convention Center

6:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a working dinner with Heads of Delegation
Washington Convention Center Dining Room

Briefing Schedule

1:30 PM Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan Briefing

Washington Convention Center Press File