NEWS RELEASES
March 30, 2005 (11:00 a.m. EST)
No. 52
CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES COOPERATE TO SHUT DOWN
ONE OF THE LAST WEAPONS-GRADE PLUTONIUM
PRODUCTION REACTORS IN RUSSIA
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and United States Secretary of
Energy Samuel Bodman today announced the signing of a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) to assist with the permanent closure of one of the final operating
weapons-grade plutonium production reactors in Russia.
Under the MOU, Canada will contribute C$9 million (US$7 million) to the
U.S. Department of Energy’s Elimination of Weapons-Grade Plutonium Production
(EWGPP) program. The Canadian contribution to this initiative is part of its $1 billion
pledge under the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and
Materials of Mass Destruction.
The goal of the EWGPP program is to permanently shut down three Russian nuclear
reactors and replace them with fossil energy plants. These reactors, which provide
necessary heat and electricity to two regions in Siberia, also generate a significant
amount of plutonium that could be used to make nuclear weapons. The Russian
government has agreed to permanently shut down the reactors once replacement
energy is provided.
“This agreement is key to halting the production of nuclear weapons materials,” said
Minister Pettigrew. “We are pleased to be able to cooperate with our U.S. partners on
this important security initiative.”
“Ending the production of weapons-grade plutonium is a non-proliferation priority for the
United States and the international community,” said Secretary Bodman. “The signing
of this MOU with our Canadian partners is another key step toward meeting this
priority.”
The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass
Destruction is a critical initiative for preventing terrorism relating to weapons of mass
destruction. Canada is currently contributing to projects in all four of its priority areas:
dismantlement of nuclear submarines; destruction of chemical weapons;
re-employment of former weapons scientists; and disposition of fissile materials. The
United States pledges approximately US$1 billion annually for activities under the
Global Partnership.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Mike Waldron
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 586-4940
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