POLONIUM SITREP

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 008249

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2011
TAGS: PREL CASC PTER RU UK
SUBJECT: POLONIUM SITREP

REF: A. STATE 194109 (NOTAL)

B. LONDON 8070 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor Mark A. Tokola for reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Post provided reftel A information on
polonium-210 to HMG to assist in its investigation and public
response. UK health authorities continue to contact those
individuals who may have stayed in rooms at the Millennium
Hotel that tested positive for radiation; CA/OCS continues to
contact the AMCITs who stayed in particular rooms at the
Millennium and Sheraton hotels. Post was informed by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the Italian
official who tested positive for polonium attended a recent
meeting which USG delegation members also attended.
Information from the IMO is being distributed to the
delegation members. Post issued polonium background
information to all Embassy employees. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) U.S.-UK COOPERATION: Post greatly appreciates the
Department and DOE's assistance with providing background
information on polonium for passing to HMG (reftels). On
November 30, the UK Cabinet Office advised the DCM that it is
pleased with the U.S.-UK scientific cooperation on this
matter.


3. (SBU) AMCITS IN AFFECTED HOTEL ROOMS CONTACTED: According
to The Times, some of the locations where traces of
plutonium-210 have been found were never visited by Mr.
Litvinenko, but several such as the Sheraton Park Lane hotel
were used by one of the three Russians seen as key suspects
in the investigation. UK health authorities are attempting
to contact 17 possibly affected Millennium Hotel guests who
provided UK addresses upon check-in; HMG requested that
countries in which the affected non-UK residents reside
contact their nationals and offer appropriate information. A
briefing by the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) was held on
November 30 to inform representatives from a number of
foreign embassies of the 12 guests with non-UK addresses
believed to have stayed in hotel rooms that tested positive
for radiation. Three U.S. residents were among the total of
29 guests that were affected. Post forwarded this
information to CA/OCS with a request that it coordinate with
MED and contact the individuals identified. On December 1,
CA/OCS reported that all three had been contacted. On
December 4 Post was notified that a similar contamination had
been identified in a room at the Sheraton hotel, and that
five people with U.S. addresses had been identified as having
stayed in that room. This information was again relayed to
CA/OCS. As of December 6, Post was informed that CA/OCS had
contacted three of the five individuals.


4. (C) USG DELEGATION TO IMO CONTACTED: On December 1, Post
was advised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
that the Italian, Mario Scaramella, who tested positive for
polonium, was at a recent IMO meeting as a representative for
the Environmental Crime Prevention Program. IMO has advised
their employees that may have come into contact with Mr.
Scaramella that the risk to health is low, but should a staff
member feel unwell they should contact their local physician.
OES is aware of the issue and is alerting USG participants
who attended the IMO meeting (held at the Brewer Street
location) to this information.


5. (SBU) INFORMATION TO EMBASSY EMPLOYEES: On December 4, a
Management Notice was distributed to all employees with
general information on polonium-210, symptoms if affected,
and contact information for additional questions.


6. (SBU) EMBASSY POC: Embassy POC on the polonium issue is
LegAtt Mark Bullock (BullockMS@state.gov). Investigation
details are being conveyed via law enforcement channels.

Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm
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