WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The United States tied for 13th and North Korean ranked last in a study of nuclear safety among 32 nations with materials that can fuel atom weapons.
The ranking -- a joint effort of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, based in Washington, and the Economist Intelligence Unit, based in London -- is the first of its kind, The New York Times reports. The organizations, which released the study Wednesday, say they hope to foster debate on promoting security and to prompt governments to strengthen safety standards to guard against atomic terrorism.
"We hope … [the study] can serve as a solid foundation to help inform that urgent and ongoing work," said Sam Nunn, the former Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia and a founder of NTI.
Nunn said the study "is not about congratulating some and chastising others" but provides analyses and recommendations meant to offer "a resource for improvement."
The study's foreword said all countries "can and must do more to strengthen security around the world's most dangerous materials."
Among the nine countries known to have nuclear weapons, Britain placed first, with the study noting "its commitment to and follow-through on international obligations."
The United States, which tied with Belgium for 13th, received a fairly strong rating, given its vast nuclear program with roots in the dawn of the atomic era, the report said.
Iran -- troubled by corruption, political instability and poor nuclear control and accounting procedures -- ranked 30th. World leaders worry about Iran's expanding nuclear program even though Tehran says it's for peaceful purposes only.
The study said North Korea had major deficiencies in atomic security.
