INFORMATION RELATED TO THE INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS STATE 009874 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AG AORC EG ENRG ID KNNP MO MY OTRA TH TRGY TS VM IAEA SUBJECT: INFORMATION RELATED TO THE INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS FELLOWSHIP SEMINAR IN THE UNITED STATES ¶1. (U) This is an informational cable. Unclassified - entire text. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: The United States Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is sponsoring a three-week seminar on international nuclear safeguards from May 2, 2009 to May 23, 2009, in the United States (Seattle, WA; Richland, WA; Oak Ridge, TN) for students from countries planning to establish nuclear power programs. Post-graduate students from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia will be invited to participate in the seminar, which will focus on fundamental issues, technologies, policies, and potential career paths associated with international safeguards. While no Embassy action is requested at this time, Embassies will be requested to provide formal invitations at the appropriate time. END SUMMARY ¶3. (U) BACKGROUND: The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) plans to conduct a three-week seminar on international nuclear safeguards from May 2, 2009 to May 23, 2009, in the United States (Seattle, WA; Richland, WA; Oak Ridge, TN). The event, sponsored by NNSA's International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP),will focus on fundamental issues, technologies, policies, and potential career paths associated with international safeguards. ¶4. (U) International safeguards are a fundamental, complex, and demanding component of a transparent and effective civil nuclear energy program. The training and education of the next generation of international safeguards specialists has therefore become an urgent concern not only to aspiring nuclear countries, but also to the United States. In order to help address this issue, INSEP plans to invite two post-graduate students each from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia to participate in a three-week seminar to learn about fundamental issues and best practicies associated with international safeguards. ¶5. (U) As part of the three-week seminar, participants will visit the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory where technical and policy experts from the United States will provide briefings and lead a variety of discussion groups and hands-on exercises to reinforce major learning objectives. INSEP will also invite one expert each from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),the National Nuclear Energy Commission of Brazil (CNEN),the Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN),and the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC) to participate in portions of the seminar as lecturers. INSEP maintains productive partnerships with CNEN, ARN, and ABACC, and this seminar presents an opportunity to demonstrate the value of international cooperation to emerging nuclear countries, while stressing the importance of international safeguards. ¶6. (U) INSEP intends to use existing program contacts at the appropriate agencies in the invited countries to identify prospective post-graduate students for the seminar, but all invitations will come through the Embassies in the respective countries. Any questions should be directed to Ms. Margot Mininni (margot.mininni@nnsa.doe.gov 202-586-8690) and Mr. Matthew Van Sickle (matthew.vansickle@nnsa.doe.gov 202-586-2859) at DOE/NNSA/NA-242. CLINTON NNNN