WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A U.S. agency has boosted nuclear detection screening security in the former Yugoslav republic of Slovenia.
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration has announced that in cooperation with the Slovenia authorities, it has completed the installation of radiation detection equipment to screen for nuclear and radiological material at the port of Koper in Slovenia. The equipment is now "fully operational," the NNSA said in a recent statement.
The agency said the new equipment "was installed ... under NNSA's Second Line of Defense program, which works around the world to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear weapons and 'dirty bomb' material."
"Detecting smuggled nuclear material is part of our overall efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism. The Slovenian Port of Koper is a major crossroad between eastern and western Europe. It is important that we have adequate detection there," said NNSA Administrator Linton F. Brooks.
"Since April 2005, NNSA has worked with the Customs Administration of Slovenia to install the radiation equipment and train the appropriate law enforcement officials to use the system and respond to alarms," the agency said.
"The enhanced screening capabilities at this port will improve the security of Slovenia, the United States, and all of our neighbors and allies," said Brooks. "This cooperative effort provides a strong defense against illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials."
The NNSA said its Second Line of Defense Program involved cooperating with other nations and authorizes in other countries "to equip border crossings, airports and seaports with radiation detection equipment."
"The specialized radiation detection technology deployed under this program is based on technologies originally developed by NNSA laboratories as part of overall U.S. government efforts to guard against proliferation of weapons material," the agency said.
