GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000102 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DOS FOR ISN/WMDT DEXTER INGRAM AND T TIM KATSAPIS AND EAP DHS FOR TOM MCILVAIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM KNNP PTER EAIR ETRD EWWT PREL AS SUBJECT: GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM - AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE ON MODEL GUIDELINES WORKSHOP REF: 2007 STATE 156602 ¶1. (U) Australia's plan to participate in the March GI Model Guidelines Document Workshop in Washington was confirmed to Poloffs by Mohan Mathews, Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Section, International Security Division, DFAT, during a February 6 meeting. The exact composition of the delegation has not yet been finalized, but participants likely will include the relevant agency representatives from the Australian Embassy in Washington, including Australian Customs, DFAT, and ASIO. Katherine Smith from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO),who was recently assigned to Washington, is also likely to participate. ¶2. (U) Mohan also provided GOA views on the draft model nuclear detection guidelines document that we had shared with Australia in November (Reftel). The GOA interagency group that studied the document suggested that a drafting process using a sub-group of the GI member nations might be easier to manage than soliciting inputs from the entire membership and asked if that was anticipated. It recommended the document provide general guidance which can be used as a checklist and to avoid prescriptive guidelines. The group had concerns that the guidelines may limit implementation to specific equipment or manufacturers to achieve interoperability or compatibility, for example specifying use of specific instruments to measure radiation. It cautioned the guidelines should not be so restrictive as to discourage or discontinue opportunities to share field experience or laboratory evaluations. ¶3. (U) The interagency group stressed the importance of avoiding duplication of related efforts in other international organizations. Australia specifically wishes to ensure that the current revision process for the IAEA's "The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities" document (INFCIRC/225) continue unencumbered. QFacilities" document (INFCIRC/225) continue unencumbered. They also observe that IAEA's recent publication "Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and other Radioactive Material" (IAEA NSS No 6, 2007) covers similar issues including radiation detection equipment and response measures. It also underlined the importance of leaving the role of setting standards to established bodies such as the IAEA and the World Customs Organization, with the guidelines simply referencing those standards. ¶4. (U) Mohan requested more information about the referenced U.S. regional partnership with Canada and Mexico as a basis for working with Pacific regional partners to enhance radiological/nuclear detection capabilities. He also CANBERRA 00000102 002 OF 002 inquired if we were aware of any similar efforts that have been initiated by the EU. Post would appreciate further information on these issues. MCCALLUM