SAFEGUARDS, THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC

Year
1975
Author(s)
G. Robert Keepin - Los Alamos National Laboratory
David Burnham - The New York Times
Edward B. Giller - U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration
Dennis Wilson - General Electric Company
Abstract
I. Perspective Record of nuclear safeguards performance to date. Projections of future safeguards requirements. II. Public/Congressional Understanding of Safeguards Issues Media need for correct information from qualified sources. Media responsibility for objective coverage. Public and congressional understanding/decisionmaking based on facts rather than emotion. Freedom of information; value/limitations. Accountability; terminology and jargon (e.g., MUF vs loss vs theft). Relation of safeguards to radiological safety. III. Current and Future Safeguards Capabilities Physical security; transportation safeguards. Safeguarding nuclear facilities; in-plant materials control. Role of advancing safeguards technology; new plant design. Cost effectiveness of safeguards; risk/benefit considerations. IV. Government Policy & Regulations: Industry Response Current regulations for industry, government sectors. Safeguards-related issues: Federal response to theft/sabotage/threats. Federal vs private guards for industry- Personnel security; societal/civil rights issues. Safeguards and plutonium recycle (GESMO, etc.). Siting policy and colocation vs transportation safeguards. V. International/National Safeguards Systems Nuclear proliferation issues; IAEA safeguards as a deterrent to proliferation and nuclear material diversion. Interface between international and national systems (U.S. export controls). National vs subnational diversion; nuclear blackmail, terrorism, etc.