Ottawa, Jan 25: Canada will grant USD 10
million to finance UN efforts on detecting and ensuring
security of storing dangerous radioactive materials in Russia
and Ukraine, said Canadian Foreign Secretary Lawrence Cannon
in a statement here.
The secretary stressed that these programmes, aimed at
preventing terrorists from laying hands on dangerous nuclear
and radiological materials, are very important for the
protection of Canada and international security.
He added that Canada`s contribution is a confirmation of
Canada`s reliable partnership with the new US administration
in ensuring security of North America through specific
counter-terrorist measures and measures in the sphere of
nuclear non-proliferation.
Funds, granted by Canada, will be used to install
equipment, capable of detecting radioactive materials at main
control and passage points on the Ukrainian borders. Besides,
he said, these funds will be used to collect and store
vulnerable and highly radioactive sources, used in Russia for
power-feeding of navigation facilities, such as beacons.
These facilities, containing radioactive materials (as
Canadian experts believe), can be used for making a "dirty"
bomb.
The Canadian Foreign Office emphasised that the funds are
granted under a programme of the Global Partnership Against
the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction,
adopted at the G-8 summit in Kananaskis in 2002.
Bureau Report
