Chronology
NEWS
|
|
|
|
|
As it became independent, Ukraine inherited a large part of the ex-USSR nuclear power complex, as well as research nuclear reactors and bulk nuclear material. In addition, Ukraine had nuclear weapons, both strategic and tactical.
On 18 December 1993, the State Committee of Ukraine for Nuclear Radiation Safety and the US Department of Defence signed an agreement for development of Ukraine’s national nuclear material control, accounting and physical protection system aimed to promote the prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons from Ukraine.
Pursuant to this agreement, the US Department of Energy began providing advisory, technical and financial assistance to nuclear facilities in Ukraine to establish their nuclear material physical protection, accounting and control systems. Seeking to secure adequate education of personnel to operate these systems experts from US DOE national laboratories jointly with Ukrainian stakeholders launched the training process in nuclear material physical protection, accounting and control in 1995 within the framework of the Institute for Nuclear Research (INR).
|
|
|
|
|
By initiative of the US DOE supported by Ukrainian ministries and agencies involved in nuclear energy use related activities it was decided to establish the Nuclear Material Physical Protection, Accounting and Control Training Centre under the Institute for Nuclear Research in March 1997. The Centre establishment was supported by methodological, advisory, technical and financial assistance of the US DOE whose representative in Ukraine for implementation of the 18 December 1993 agreement, George Kuzmycz, personally made massive contribution towards the Centre setting-up. To profound regret, George Kuzmycz was killed in accident during his mission in Ukraine on 5 December 1997. The Training Centre, named after late George Kuzmycz, formally opened on 8 October 1998.
|
|
|
“The result of the joint effort of Kiev Institute for Nuclear Research and the US Department of Energy in the past two years has been the success of our common project to implement a Safeguards Training Centre. Education provided by the George Kuzmycz Nuclear Material Physical Protection, Accounting and Control Training Centre will be a palpable contribution in reduction of risk of sabotage, unauthorised use or theft of nuclear materials that could be used to produce weapons. Success of this initiative is the outcome of cooperation and outstanding technical capabilities of your Institute experts.”
Bill Richardson
US Secretary of Energy
1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
