U.S. GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR NEW PHYSICAL SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Arminfo
2007-04-10 17:15:00
On April 10, 2007, the staff of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
dedicated an improved and upgraded Physical Security System.
The press service of the US Embassy in Armenia reports that this new
system, developed with $3.5 million in technical and financial support
from the U.S. Department of Energy, includes upgraded physical access
infrastructure, badges and video monitoring. Acting Deputy Chief of
Mission Robin Phillips presented the remarks below at the dedication
ceremony.
ANPP Dedication of the Physical Safety Upgrade Project Remarks as
prepared for Delivery April 10, 2007
– It is a pleasure to be here today to mark another milestone in the
long-standing cooperation between Armenia and the United States on
improving safety at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.
– We appreciate the Armenian government’s commitment to promoting
safer operations at the plant while at the same time working towards
plant decommissioning.
– Since 1996, the USG has provided more than $35 million to upgrade the
plant and to ensure the safest possible operation until its closure.
– We are here today to dedicate an upgraded physical security system
at the plant. New access and badge policies, improved security
infrastructure and video surveillance are all tools which we are
proud to provide to help you maintain high levels of security.
– Strong nuclear security is particularly important given the current
threat environment and the risk that terrorists and others will try
to use nuclear material against innocents.
– In addition to improved security, it is critical that the Armenian
government continue to build a culture of safety at the plant,
by completing IAEA identified safety upgrades, and reinvesting a
sufficient portion of the cash flow obtained from the energy sector
into plant safety and maintenance.
– As Armenia follows through on its commitment to a culture of safety
and a comprehensive decommissioning plan, we will continue to work
with Armenia to develop safer and more sustainable alternatives to the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant including providing technical assistance
to support plans for a new nuclear power plant.
– The U.S. government will not, however, be able to fund plant
construction directly and any proposal for U.S. assistance would have
to compete for scarce development assistance funds.
– I thank you for our excellent and on-going cooperation on nuclear
safety issues and urge you to make the most of this new equipment to
better protect this plant and the Armenian people.