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2002 saw several thefts of nuclear materials, isotope products in Russia

MOSCOW, March 5 (Itar-Tass) - Last year saw only casual thefts of nuclear materials and isotope products and all such cases have been investigated and taken to court, the chief of Russia's federal nuclear and radiation supervision authority, Yuri Vishnevsky told the State Duma on Wednesday.

According to the official, Russian nuclear industry facilities are protected better than other potentially risky facilities, including chemical ones. However, security can and must be tightened further. The government's nuclear and radiation program is financed a mere 10-15 percent a year, he said.

Vishnevsky said the situation as it is, "there can be no more delays," and the government must take action to finance all the necessary safety measures.

According to the nuclear supervision authority's memorandum circulated at the State Duma on Wednesday, 100 abandoned radioactive sources were found last year.

"The analysis of inspections carried out last year shows that there are serious flaws in the physical protection of nuclear risky facilities in the industry," the memorandum says. "The system of accounting, control, storage and transportation of radioactive materials is not fully operational yet. As a result, the unauthorized use of radioactive materials and their theft cannot be ruled out."

Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev told the State Duma Russia's nuclear safety was in satisfactory condition. He recalled that ever since the creation of nuclear arms there have been no emergencies involving them and this experience was now being used in the nuclear power industry. As an example, Rumyantsev mentioned the transportation of spent nuclear fuel, which, he said was as safe as that of nuclear warheads.

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