Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STATE5218
2010-01-19 22:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2248 RR RUEHSL DE RUEHC #5218/01 0192211 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192204Z JAN 10 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0304 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 4648 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 2120 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 4228 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 2126 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 9936 RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 5733 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2509 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 2098 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 6606 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1780 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0851 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 6085 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 2872 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0507 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 4932 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 6615 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 2591 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 1611 RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0965 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5916 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 0694 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 3733 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 3079 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 8476 RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 7090 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 8847 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 3643 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 3914 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0236 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 6517 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT 1735 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0397 RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU 0521 RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 5940 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0511 RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 0759 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 2244 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 0459 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2823 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 2548 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA 4549 RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0608 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 1976 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 2192 RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA 6289 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0450 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 7516 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1958 RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 7785 RUEHVT/AMEMBASSY VALLETTA 7765 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0559 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3139 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 5777 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN 8335 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 3806 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 5632 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 5986
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 005218
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP IAEA XA XB XC XD XF XG XH XL XM
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIONS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please protect accordingly.
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 005218
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP IAEA XA XB XC XD XF XG XH XL XM
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIONS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please protect accordingly.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Due to an enormous increase in demand over the past
few years for helium-3 (He-3) in neutron detection
(particularly in radiation portal monitors),the USG does not
have enough He-3 in stock to meet current demand over the
next few years. The USG has made the decision to defer
allocation of He-3 for radiation portal monitors. While
diplomatic efforts are underway to raise awareness of the
shortage and find solutions, Posts in countries that have
already received, or will receive, equipment under the
Department of Energy,s Second Line of Defense (SLD) Core
Program and Megaports Initiative may find themselves the
recipients of queries from their host governments about
future support of these installations. This cable provides
talking points to respond to queries. However, no proactive
action is requested of Posts at this time.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. (SBU) He-3 has been typically produced by the radioactive
decay of tritium (H-3). He-3 is used in a range of
STATE 00005218 002 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
applications, including medical imaging, oil/gas exploration,
cryogenics and low temperature physics, and neutron
detection. After 9/11, the latter application increased
demand on the U.S. stockpile, as nuclear security-related
radiation detection systems were deployed domestically and
abroad.
END BACKGROUND.
--------------
FACT SHEET
--------------
3. (U) The following fact sheet was produced for use in
diplomatic fora in autumn 2009.
Addressing the Worldwide Helium-3 Shortage
Fact Sheet
Purpose
There is a worldwide shortage of the helium-3 (He-3) isotope,
which has a variety of applications, including nuclear
security and safeguards. Greater international cooperation
is needed to increase the supply and decrease the demand for
this valuable resource. The isotope, a decay product from
tritium, is a non-reactive, non-corrosive gas which is
currently the material of choice for neutron detection,
providing fewer false positives than other techniques. In
addition, it is finding widespread use in such areas as
cryogenics, medical imaging and diagnostics, and oil/gas
exploration.
Without a concerted international effort, the supply will
soon be short of the projected international demand by
approximately a factor of 10. The United States is
STATE 00005218 003 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
interested in: (1) working with possible supplier nations to
harvest He-3, (2) working with He-3 users to better use their
stocks, and (3) investigating alternatives to He-3-based
systems. Since most of the demand for He-3 gas is for
portal-type monitors, international safeguards, and basic
science R&D, investigation of these three alternatives would
benefit from the participation of the relevant international
technical groups.
The purpose of this fact sheet is to make potential users
aware of the He-3 shortage and identify U.S. contacts for
entering into bi-lateral or multi-lateral discussions.
Points of Contact
We request your assistance in developing a better
understanding of the needs of the international safeguards
and security community. In support of this effort, we have
set up a special e-mail address: helium3@hq.doe.gov for
exchanging information.
Contact people are:
U.S. Department of State
Michael Curry
U.S. Department of Energy
Joseph Glaser
END FACT SHEET.
--------------
IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD
--------------
4. (SBU) These points may be provided if Post is queried by
STATE 00005218 004 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
its host government about whether there will continue to be
support for the SLD Core Program and Megaports Initiative.
Post is not requested to proactively contact its host
government.
-- The United States will continue to support the SLD Core or
Megaports installation in your country. Already deployed
equipment is not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10
and FY11 will continue as planned using portal monitors with
He-3 detectors. Further into the future, the He-3 shortage
may limit deployment of equipment using this material, but
alternative technologies can be used to ensure that the same
capability is present at these installations.
-- Note, too, that He-3 is used only for neutron detection.
The current gamma ray detection technologies are unaffected
by this shortage.
END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD.
--------------
FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY
--------------
5. (SBU) BACKGROUND: While Pakistan does not have a signed
Memorandum of Understanding on SLD or Megaports, it has been
operating a Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) program, which
they are looking to expand. END BACKGROUND
6. (SBU) IF-ASKED FOR PAKISTAN ONLY
-- The United States will continue to support the SFI
installation in your country. Already deployed equipment is
not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10 and FY11 will
continue as planned using equipment with He-3 detectors.
Further into the future, the He-3 shortage may limit
STATE 00005218 005 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
deployment of equipment using this material, but alternative
technologies can be used to ensure that the same capability
is present at these installations.
END FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY
--------------
IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX
--------------
7. (SBU) For TOKYO and UNVIE only. These points may be
provided if Post is queried about the status of He-3 supplies
for applying international safeguards to the Japanese Mixed
Oxide (JMOX) fuel fabrication plant, which is scheduled to
start construction in May 2010.
-- The United States is seeking to meet He-3 requirements for
applying international safeguards at the JMOX facility.
-- While we have not yet allocated He-3 for this safeguards
installation, we are seeking to clarify the requirements and
identify additional sources of He-3 that may be used to meet
those requirements.
END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX
--------------
POINTS OF CONTACT
--------------
8. (U) Washington thanks Posts for their assistance in this
regard. Please slug questions to points of contact in
paragraph 3.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG KNNP IAEA XA XB XC XD XF XG XH XL XM
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIONS
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please protect accordingly.
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Due to an enormous increase in demand over the past
few years for helium-3 (He-3) in neutron detection
(particularly in radiation portal monitors),the USG does not
have enough He-3 in stock to meet current demand over the
next few years. The USG has made the decision to defer
allocation of He-3 for radiation portal monitors. While
diplomatic efforts are underway to raise awareness of the
shortage and find solutions, Posts in countries that have
already received, or will receive, equipment under the
Department of Energy,s Second Line of Defense (SLD) Core
Program and Megaports Initiative may find themselves the
recipients of queries from their host governments about
future support of these installations. This cable provides
talking points to respond to queries. However, no proactive
action is requested of Posts at this time.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. (SBU) He-3 has been typically produced by the radioactive
decay of tritium (H-3). He-3 is used in a range of
STATE 00005218 002 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
applications, including medical imaging, oil/gas exploration,
cryogenics and low temperature physics, and neutron
detection. After 9/11, the latter application increased
demand on the U.S. stockpile, as nuclear security-related
radiation detection systems were deployed domestically and
abroad.
END BACKGROUND.
--------------
FACT SHEET
--------------
3. (U) The following fact sheet was produced for use in
diplomatic fora in autumn 2009.
Addressing the Worldwide Helium-3 Shortage
Fact Sheet
Purpose
There is a worldwide shortage of the helium-3 (He-3) isotope,
which has a variety of applications, including nuclear
security and safeguards. Greater international cooperation
is needed to increase the supply and decrease the demand for
this valuable resource. The isotope, a decay product from
tritium, is a non-reactive, non-corrosive gas which is
currently the material of choice for neutron detection,
providing fewer false positives than other techniques. In
addition, it is finding widespread use in such areas as
cryogenics, medical imaging and diagnostics, and oil/gas
exploration.
Without a concerted international effort, the supply will
soon be short of the projected international demand by
approximately a factor of 10. The United States is
STATE 00005218 003 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
interested in: (1) working with possible supplier nations to
harvest He-3, (2) working with He-3 users to better use their
stocks, and (3) investigating alternatives to He-3-based
systems. Since most of the demand for He-3 gas is for
portal-type monitors, international safeguards, and basic
science R&D, investigation of these three alternatives would
benefit from the participation of the relevant international
technical groups.
The purpose of this fact sheet is to make potential users
aware of the He-3 shortage and identify U.S. contacts for
entering into bi-lateral or multi-lateral discussions.
Points of Contact
We request your assistance in developing a better
understanding of the needs of the international safeguards
and security community. In support of this effort, we have
set up a special e-mail address: helium3@hq.doe.gov for
exchanging information.
Contact people are:
U.S. Department of State
Michael Curry
U.S. Department of Energy
Joseph Glaser
END FACT SHEET.
--------------
IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD
--------------
4. (SBU) These points may be provided if Post is queried by
STATE 00005218 004 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
its host government about whether there will continue to be
support for the SLD Core Program and Megaports Initiative.
Post is not requested to proactively contact its host
government.
-- The United States will continue to support the SLD Core or
Megaports installation in your country. Already deployed
equipment is not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10
and FY11 will continue as planned using portal monitors with
He-3 detectors. Further into the future, the He-3 shortage
may limit deployment of equipment using this material, but
alternative technologies can be used to ensure that the same
capability is present at these installations.
-- Note, too, that He-3 is used only for neutron detection.
The current gamma ray detection technologies are unaffected
by this shortage.
END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD.
--------------
FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY
--------------
5. (SBU) BACKGROUND: While Pakistan does not have a signed
Memorandum of Understanding on SLD or Megaports, it has been
operating a Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) program, which
they are looking to expand. END BACKGROUND
6. (SBU) IF-ASKED FOR PAKISTAN ONLY
-- The United States will continue to support the SFI
installation in your country. Already deployed equipment is
not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10 and FY11 will
continue as planned using equipment with He-3 detectors.
Further into the future, the He-3 shortage may limit
STATE 00005218 005 OF 005
SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN
COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE
INSTALLATIO
deployment of equipment using this material, but alternative
technologies can be used to ensure that the same capability
is present at these installations.
END FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY
--------------
IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX
--------------
7. (SBU) For TOKYO and UNVIE only. These points may be
provided if Post is queried about the status of He-3 supplies
for applying international safeguards to the Japanese Mixed
Oxide (JMOX) fuel fabrication plant, which is scheduled to
start construction in May 2010.
-- The United States is seeking to meet He-3 requirements for
applying international safeguards at the JMOX facility.
-- While we have not yet allocated He-3 for this safeguards
installation, we are seeking to clarify the requirements and
identify additional sources of He-3 that may be used to meet
those requirements.
END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX
--------------
POINTS OF CONTACT
--------------
8. (U) Washington thanks Posts for their assistance in this
regard. Please slug questions to points of contact in
paragraph 3.
CLINTON