U.S. FINANCED UPGRADED ANPP PHYSICAL SECURITY SYSTEM
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2007 17:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 10, 2007, the staff of the Armenian Nuclear
Power Plant dedicated an improved and upgraded Physical Security
System. As PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from the U.S. Embassy, 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.
"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," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
