Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05YEREVAN154
2005-01-31 13:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
UPDATE ON CESIUM 137 CONFISCATED ON THE TURKISH
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000154
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NP/PTR (CURRY),EUR/CACEN, INR, NP/EDD, CBP/INA,
NP/ECC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015
TAGS: PINR MNUC PARM KCRM PTER ASEC TU AM
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CESIUM 137 CONFISCATED ON THE TURKISH
BORDER
REF: YEREVAN 131
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000154
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NP/PTR (CURRY),EUR/CACEN, INR, NP/EDD, CBP/INA,
NP/ECC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015
TAGS: PINR MNUC PARM KCRM PTER ASEC TU AM
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CESIUM 137 CONFISCATED ON THE TURKISH
BORDER
REF: YEREVAN 131
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On January 31, we met with Armen Israelian, head of
the MFA's Department for Arms Control and International
Security to follow up on the reported (ref) seizure on the
Georgia-Turkey border of cesium-137 reportedly originating in
Armenia. Israelian said that the Armenian National Security
Service (NSS) had the lead in investigating the Cesium-137
which was seized at the Turkish-Georgian border.
2. (C) Israelian stated he had no new information concerning
the origin of the radioactive material and complained that
the GOAM had so far not received proof from the government of
Turkey that the source of the cesium-137 was in fact Armenia.
Israelian questioned how the material could have crossed the
Armenia - Georgia border, since both the Armenian and
Georgian customs officials are equipped with hand-held
radiation detectors.
3. (C) We expressed our concern that Armenia was the apparent
source for the material and pressed for the GOAM to take
measures to prevent recurrence. Israelian said he did not
believe that Armenia was becoming a transit country for
Cesium 137 sources or even an area where such sources are
bought and sold. Israelian said that the GOAM was open about
its seizures of radioactive sources and willing to share this
information with its western counterparts. Israelian stated
that the GOAM was committed to working with the USG and other
western non-proliferation organizations to properly identify
these sources, prosecute the individuals involved, and
prevent the unlicensed transit of sources through Armenia.
4. (C) The strength of the seized cesium-137 per reftel was
incorrectly reported originally. The correct strength was 60
microSieverts/hour.
EVANS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NP/PTR (CURRY),EUR/CACEN, INR, NP/EDD, CBP/INA,
NP/ECC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015
TAGS: PINR MNUC PARM KCRM PTER ASEC TU AM
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CESIUM 137 CONFISCATED ON THE TURKISH
BORDER
REF: YEREVAN 131
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On January 31, we met with Armen Israelian, head of
the MFA's Department for Arms Control and International
Security to follow up on the reported (ref) seizure on the
Georgia-Turkey border of cesium-137 reportedly originating in
Armenia. Israelian said that the Armenian National Security
Service (NSS) had the lead in investigating the Cesium-137
which was seized at the Turkish-Georgian border.
2. (C) Israelian stated he had no new information concerning
the origin of the radioactive material and complained that
the GOAM had so far not received proof from the government of
Turkey that the source of the cesium-137 was in fact Armenia.
Israelian questioned how the material could have crossed the
Armenia - Georgia border, since both the Armenian and
Georgian customs officials are equipped with hand-held
radiation detectors.
3. (C) We expressed our concern that Armenia was the apparent
source for the material and pressed for the GOAM to take
measures to prevent recurrence. Israelian said he did not
believe that Armenia was becoming a transit country for
Cesium 137 sources or even an area where such sources are
bought and sold. Israelian said that the GOAM was open about
its seizures of radioactive sources and willing to share this
information with its western counterparts. Israelian stated
that the GOAM was committed to working with the USG and other
western non-proliferation organizations to properly identify
these sources, prosecute the individuals involved, and
prevent the unlicensed transit of sources through Armenia.
4. (C) The strength of the seized cesium-137 per reftel was
incorrectly reported originally. The correct strength was 60
microSieverts/hour.
EVANS