http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_16-10-2004_pg4_4
Saturday, October 16, 2004
US admits it lacks protection against ‘dirty bombs’
* Inspector General Clark Kent Ervine says radiation detectors can be
fooled
WASHINGTON:
The US government has admitted its network of border radiation
detectors designed to prevent the smuggling of a "dirty bomb" could be
fooled, in a conclusion that lends credence to charges voiced by
Democrat John Kerry during the presidential campaign.
The Department of Homeland Security said, in a report by its inspector
general, that the performance of its detection equipment installed at
ports and border crossings "is reduced by certain factors."
"The analysis described the distances beyond which the detection
equipment would no longer detect the radiation source," Inspector
General Clark Kent Ervin said in a thoroughly sanitised report, an
unclassified version of which was released on Thursday.
Specific findings about the system’s flaws will remain secret to avoid
tipping off potential terrorists, officials said.
The investigation was launched at the request of two high-level
congressional Democrats, John Dingell of Michigan and Jim Turner of
Texas, alarmed by recent media reports indicating that despite all
efforts by the administration of President George W Bush to shore up
border security, the nation’s borders remain porous, even to smuggled
nuclear devices.
The outcry first erupted two years ago, when ABC News managed to
successfully bring into the country nearly seven kilograms (15 pounds)
of depleted uranium in a suitcase.
The uranium, purchased in the former Soviet Union and stashed in a
cylinder shielded with lead, was first brought by train to Austria,
then shipped to Istanbul, Turkey, where it was loaded onto a US-bound
cargo ship and successfully made it to its destination.
According to the report, the US Customs Service failed to detect the
radioactive material despite the fact that the crate, in which it was
travelling, was classified as a "high-risk" shipment.
The department did not explain the reasons for the failure, but
pointed out that the uranium was placed in the middle of a large
container filled with huge vases and Turkish horse carts.
The sting operation was repeated in August 2003, when ABC News placed
a similar uranium-filled cylinder into a teak trunk and sent it to the
United States from Jakarta, Indonesia, in a container full of
furniture.
As it the first case, the uranium arrived undetected.
In a subdued tone, the report accepted the department’s
responsibility, saying "the protocols and procedures that ...
officials followed, at the time of the two smuggling incidents, were
not adequate to detect the depleted uranium."
The inspector general assured that technological and procedural
improvements have since been made.
But Congressman Turner, the ranking member of the House homeland
security committee, remained sceptical.
"It is hard to see how the government can reassure anyone based on the
inspector general’s report," he told the television network.
"The sad state of affairs is that three years after 9/11 it still
seems possible to get nuclear material into this country."
With homeland security topping this year’s election agenda, Kerry, the
Democratic presidential nominee, has repeatedly complained that nearly
seven million cargo containers arrive in US ports each year, but only
five percent of them are physically inspected.
"We will reduce the spread of nuclear and biological and chemical
weapons and better guard our ports," the Massachusetts senator said in
one of his stump speeches. afp
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Fellin' safer. Well, Georgie's the terrorism expert. Speak to him.
He's got all the answers.
Harry
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