U.S., ARMENIA SIGN NON-PROLIFERATION DEAL

Middle East Times
July 15 2008
Egypt

WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) — The United States and Armenia have
signed an agreement to increase cooperation on combating nuclear
proliferation.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian on Monday signed the agreement that would enhance
Armenia’s abilities to prevent the smuggling of nuclear or radioactive
materials through detection and more effective response capabilities,
the State Department reported.

The agreement, which marks the fifth cooperative initiative signed
between the two countries, is part of the U.S. nuclear smuggling
outreach program. Officials say there are 28 steps Armenia has promised
to carry out to further non-proliferation efforts.

"With this agreement, the U.S. and Armenian governments are
significantly enhancing their collaborative efforts to combat
the threat that nuclear or highly radioactive materials could be
acquired by terrorists or others who would use them to harm us,"
the release said.