PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS AND BORDER GUARDS: AN EFFECTIVE MECHANISM TO IMPROVE EXPORT CONTROLS

With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, an increasing international concern requiring attention is illegal trafficking in nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use commodities. For the past few years, the U.S. government, including the Department of Energy (DOE), has assisted the former Soviet Union in establishing and enhancing national export control systems. Although U.S. assistance has been targeted to help control approved transfers, part of the focus has shifted to prevent the illegal exit of special nuclear material, dual-use items, and other nuclearrelated materials. As part of a State Department initiative, a Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF) was established to address various nonproliferation concerns. One project, funded by NDF, U.S. Customs Service (Customs), and the DOE, focuses on assisting transit countries to prevent illegal trafficking. DOE is providing technical expertise to seven countries in the Baltics and Central Europe to help identify materials, equipment, and technology that might transit their borders. Although there are many mechanisms to prevent illegal trafficking, this paper will discuss the importance of providing international customs officials and border guards with training and technical assistance on nuclear materials and nuclear-related dual-use items. More specifically, details of the DOE training plan will be discussed.