Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN1022
2009-08-21 16:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMANY INQUIRES ABOUT RADIOACTIVE COBALT-60
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRL #1022 2331634 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211634Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4998 INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2077 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0578 RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0419
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001022
SIPDIS
ISN/WMDT FOR CURRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM NKKP MUNC PARM PINR PREL PTER GM
RU, IN
SUBJECT: GERMANY INQUIRES ABOUT RADIOACTIVE COBALT-60
CONTAMINATED STAINLESS STEEL
REF: A. STATE 79035
B. BARBIAN (BERLIN) - CURRY (ISN/WMDT) EMAILS
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001022
SIPDIS
ISN/WMDT FOR CURRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM NKKP MUNC PARM PINR PREL PTER GM
RU, IN
SUBJECT: GERMANY INQUIRES ABOUT RADIOACTIVE COBALT-60
CONTAMINATED STAINLESS STEEL
REF: A. STATE 79035
B. BARBIAN (BERLIN) - CURRY (ISN/WMDT) EMAILS
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (U) This is an action request, please see para. 4.
2. (C) Summary: German MFA contacts have asked the U.S. to
provide information regarding the reported import by the U.S.
of radioactive cobalt-60 contaminated stainless steel. Open
source reporting indicated this material may have been used
in hand-held consumer cheese slicers. End Summary.
3. (C) While discussing Econoff's request for German
information regarding a German import of highly enriched
uranium-contaminated steel (Reftel A),German MFA desk
officer Joerg Polster said that the German Ministry of the
Environment (BMU) was looking into the case but would
appreciate a "bit more give and take" with the U.S. on these
issues and raised a new import case with Econoff.
Specifically, Polster said, Germany had imported
industrial-use stainless steel from India or China which was
found to be contaminated with cobalt-60. Polster then also
cited 2009 open source media reports claiming that the U.S.
had also imported radioactive stainless steel, perhaps from
China or India, but that the steel the U.S. imported was used
in consumer goods such as cheese slicers.
4. (C) Speaking for the BMU, Polster asked for the following
information from the U.S. regarding this steel:
-- Can the U.S. confirm the radioactive steel import or
imports took place?
-- Can the U.S. provide information regarding how much steel
was involved and its level of radioactive contamination?
-- Can the U.S. confirm the steel's country of origin, and,
more specifically, identify the foundry whence the steel came?
5. (C) Post appreciates Washington's assistance in this
matter.
Murphy
Murphy
SIPDIS
ISN/WMDT FOR CURRY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: ASEC KCRM NKKP MUNC PARM PINR PREL PTER GM
RU, IN
SUBJECT: GERMANY INQUIRES ABOUT RADIOACTIVE COBALT-60
CONTAMINATED STAINLESS STEEL
REF: A. STATE 79035
B. BARBIAN (BERLIN) - CURRY (ISN/WMDT) EMAILS
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (U) This is an action request, please see para. 4.
2. (C) Summary: German MFA contacts have asked the U.S. to
provide information regarding the reported import by the U.S.
of radioactive cobalt-60 contaminated stainless steel. Open
source reporting indicated this material may have been used
in hand-held consumer cheese slicers. End Summary.
3. (C) While discussing Econoff's request for German
information regarding a German import of highly enriched
uranium-contaminated steel (Reftel A),German MFA desk
officer Joerg Polster said that the German Ministry of the
Environment (BMU) was looking into the case but would
appreciate a "bit more give and take" with the U.S. on these
issues and raised a new import case with Econoff.
Specifically, Polster said, Germany had imported
industrial-use stainless steel from India or China which was
found to be contaminated with cobalt-60. Polster then also
cited 2009 open source media reports claiming that the U.S.
had also imported radioactive stainless steel, perhaps from
China or India, but that the steel the U.S. imported was used
in consumer goods such as cheese slicers.
4. (C) Speaking for the BMU, Polster asked for the following
information from the U.S. regarding this steel:
-- Can the U.S. confirm the radioactive steel import or
imports took place?
-- Can the U.S. provide information regarding how much steel
was involved and its level of radioactive contamination?
-- Can the U.S. confirm the steel's country of origin, and,
more specifically, identify the foundry whence the steel came?
5. (C) Post appreciates Washington's assistance in this
matter.
Murphy
Murphy