1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOAM has, for the first time, shared
information with EXBS Advisor about ongoing export violation
investigations and radiological seizures. This is the
result of ongoing efforts to obtain statistical data from
Armenian National Security Service to measure the
effectiveness of EXBS equipment and programs at Armenia's
ports of entry/exit. END SUMMARY.



2. (SBU) EXBS Advisor is in frequent contact with officials
at the National Security Service on a variety of EXBS-
related issues. In order to measure the effectiveness of
EXBS equipment purchases and equipment use we have often
requested information relating to seizures of radiological
sources and export violations resulting from these seizures.
The National Security Service recently gave EXBS Advisor the
information cited below.



3. (SBU) Below is an unofficial embassy translation of the
information provided by the National Security Service to
EXBS Advisor. A laboratory at the Armenia Nuclear Power
Plant (ANPP) analyzed the sources. The Armenia Nuclear
Regulatory Agency sent all information about the detected
sources to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in
Geneva. There have been no arrests made as a result of
these investigations. In all reported cases, the National
Security Service has determined that the exporters were
unaware that their scrap metal exports contained radioactive
material. The Portal Monitor detected all but one of the
radiation sources intercepted passing through the Port of
Meghri on the way to the Iranian Border.

BEGIN TEXT:
Cylinder container with 2 grams radioactive isotope.
Strontium-90 radioactive source.
Strontium-90+Itrium-90 radioactive source with approximately
20,000 mcR/hour.
A radioactive source used as a forecasting station with
about 20,000 Curie was found at the Khosrov Preserve,
located about 50km from Yerevan.
A meter for measuring liquids was found and, according to
the ANPP, the meter was contaminated with isotopes [214]Bi,
[228]AC with 4000 mcR/hour Gamma radiation.
1,510 x 60 x 30 mm size aluminum construction with 4,000
mcR/hour radiation.
Aluminum sheets, contaminated with [214]Bi, [228]AC,
[232]Th, [226]Ra radioactive element.
Strontium-90 radioactive source with a diameter 1,5cm and
1,5 cm height.
Electronica humidity meter, containing plutonium beryllium
neutron radiation source with 6,000 mcR/hour radiation. END
TEXT.



4. (SBU) COMMENT: EXBS advisor notes the lack of detail and
investigative precision surrounding these radiation seizures
and will work toward curing this problem. EXBS will work to
ensure that the National Security Service, Border Guards,
and Customs understand the importance of routinely releasing
information like this as an important step in evaluating the
effectiveness of the Armenian EXBS Program. EXBS Advisor
considers it a small but important first step taken by
National Security Service.

WALKER