Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES183
2009-02-20 20:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA: UPDATES ON THEFT OF CESIUM 137
how-toVZCZCXYZ0020 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0183 0512009 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 202009Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3079 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0226
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000183
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC AND ISN/WMDT
DEPT FOR DS/CC AND DS/IP/WHA
DOE FOR NNSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG IAEA KNNP KCSA TRGY ASEC AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATES ON THEFT OF CESIUM 137
REF: BUENOS AIRES 00173
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000183
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC AND ISN/WMDT
DEPT FOR DS/CC AND DS/IP/WHA
DOE FOR NNSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG IAEA KNNP KCSA TRGY ASEC AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATES ON THEFT OF CESIUM 137
REF: BUENOS AIRES 00173
1. (SBU) GOA officials report that the Argentine Federal
Police (PFA) have NOW taken the lead in the investigation of
yesterday's theft of nuclear material in Neuquen, Argentina.
The GOA's Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEA),Nuclear
Regulatory Agency (ARN),Neuquen provincial police, and the
Gendarmeria are also involved. Police sources reported to
RSO that there had been an anonymous extortion telephone call
asking for 500,000 pesos (about $143,000) for the return of
the stolen material. This has not been reported in the press
as of yet. News of the theft itself has been reported in some
local media outlets (see web links below),but hasn't been
picked up yet in national Argentine media.
2. (SBU) Gabriel Terigi at the ARN told us that the team sent
out to Neuquen on February 19 has been working with the same
type of detection equipment used in the U.S. for similar
incidents. He noted that the intruders had neutralized the
security camera when they entered the site, thus giving
additional weight to the suspicion that they were familiar
with the installation. Terigi added that the police are
currently combing the most likely areas of Neuquen where the
thieves may have taken refuge and are also investigating the
possibility that disgruntled ex-employees may have been
involved in the theft.
3. Argentine media stories on this episode follow:
www.lmneuquen.com.ar/noticias/20092/20/19418. php (article in
La Manana -- Neuquen)
www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/2009/02/20/1235099 001235.php
(article in Rio Negro Online)
KELLY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC AND ISN/WMDT
DEPT FOR DS/CC AND DS/IP/WHA
DOE FOR NNSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG IAEA KNNP KCSA TRGY ASEC AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: UPDATES ON THEFT OF CESIUM 137
REF: BUENOS AIRES 00173
1. (SBU) GOA officials report that the Argentine Federal
Police (PFA) have NOW taken the lead in the investigation of
yesterday's theft of nuclear material in Neuquen, Argentina.
The GOA's Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEA),Nuclear
Regulatory Agency (ARN),Neuquen provincial police, and the
Gendarmeria are also involved. Police sources reported to
RSO that there had been an anonymous extortion telephone call
asking for 500,000 pesos (about $143,000) for the return of
the stolen material. This has not been reported in the press
as of yet. News of the theft itself has been reported in some
local media outlets (see web links below),but hasn't been
picked up yet in national Argentine media.
2. (SBU) Gabriel Terigi at the ARN told us that the team sent
out to Neuquen on February 19 has been working with the same
type of detection equipment used in the U.S. for similar
incidents. He noted that the intruders had neutralized the
security camera when they entered the site, thus giving
additional weight to the suspicion that they were familiar
with the installation. Terigi added that the police are
currently combing the most likely areas of Neuquen where the
thieves may have taken refuge and are also investigating the
possibility that disgruntled ex-employees may have been
involved in the theft.
3. Argentine media stories on this episode follow:
www.lmneuquen.com.ar/noticias/20092/20/19418. php (article in
La Manana -- Neuquen)
www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/2009/02/20/1235099 001235.php
(article in Rio Negro Online)
KELLY