WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. and Slovakian governments will work together in the war on terrorism by installing radiation detection equipment to detect hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced today.

NNSAs Office of Second Line of Defense and the Customs Directorate of the Slovak Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week. The agreement is part of an effort to extend to Slovakia NNSA’s successful Second Line of Defense (SLD) program that installs radiation detection equipment, integrated communications equipment, and a related training to multiple border crossings in Slovakia. U.S. technical experts have been working with the Slovakian Customs Directorate by surveying sites for future equipment installations.

"We are continuing to address terrorist threats around the globe. Through this program in Slovakia, and through other NNSA nonproliferation programs, we are helping to stop terrorists and criminals from smuggling nuclear and radiological material," Assistant Deputy Administrator Dave Huizenga said. "Slovakia is a close partner in the important global war on terrorism and proliferation and I look forward to continuing to work with them."

NNSA’s SLD program provides these detection systems worldwide in order to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation and terrorism through detection and deterrence of illicit trafficking at international borders. SLD installs radiation detection equipment at strategic locations, and provides training in detection, identification, and interdiction of nuclear and radiological materials, as well as training in the operations and maintenance of the equipment.

The specialized radiation-detection technology is part of the overall U.S. nuclear security program to guard against proliferation of weapons materials. It directly supports the Bush administration’s priorities of combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Media contact(s):
NNSA Public Affairs (202) 586-7371