A POSSmLE APPROACH TO THE STORAGE OF PLUTONIDM FROM DISMANTLED WEAPONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL CONTROL

The storage of plutonium from dismantled weapons will be required by both the U.S. and Russia until such time as a final disposition thereof is effected. This storage needs to be implemented promptly in a safe and secure manner. This paper outlines a possible approach to the joint storage of u.S. and Russian plutonium. According to this approach, a storage facility would be established by IAEA and fmanced by the U.S. for the storage of both U.S. and Russian weapons grade plutonium, the IAEA would purchase plutonium from Russia, and Russia would have the option of buying back the stored plutonium whenever it had a need for it for use in:fuel for nuclear electric production. The storage facility would be operated jointly by the U.S. and Russia under the oversight and surveillance of IAEA. The cost of the purchase and storage of plutonium from Russia would be substantial. However, means are described to mitigate these costs over the long term.