ML19261C828
| ML19261C828 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/19/1979 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Pickering T STATE, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19261C829 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7904100523 | |
| Download: ML19261C828 (2) | |
Text
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[/"""%[' Q UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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flarch 19, 1979 f
3 ' r, CHAIRMAN lir. Thomas R. Pickering Assistant Secretary of State Oceans & International Environmental
& Scientific Affairs Department of State Washington, D.C.
20520 Dear Mr. Pid ring As you know, the Conmission was concerned about the breakage of seals on the first shipment of HEU to Romania under export license XSN!4-885.
Although the seals were broken during transit within the U.S.,
it became necessary to have the containment and contents of this shipment verified by the IAEA after arrival in Romania.
Fortunately, this problem was resolved satisfactorily by ad hoc arrangements for IAEA inspections made by the Department of State.
We appreciate the prompt and effective cooperation of the Department of State in making these arrangements.
We recently conducted a review of the domestic ano international aspects of this problem. A copy of the staff analysis is attached for your information. On the basis of this review, a number of actions have been identified which we believe will help prevent similar situr.tions in the future and facilitate response to such situations if they should occur.
Most of these actions involve changes in NRC practices or procedures and have been or are in the process of being implemented.
One of the recommendations of NRC's review is that the U.S. Government concider exploring with the IAEA and with other countries the possibility of establishing procedures and arrangements for mutual assistance to provide prompt response in cases where questions arise concerning the integrity of seals, containers, or contents of international nuclear materials shipments. This would include incidents similar to the Romanian case, where the problem developed within the consignor country, as well as cases where problems might develop during international transport, at transient shipment points, or in the consiance country.
7904100523
e-s We would appreciate your assistance in identifying bilateral or multi-lateral approaches which would be appropriate to explore development of such international verification procedures and in initiating discussions to this effect.
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iSincerely,
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epJ) M. Hendrie