Action needed to fight nuclear terror

Updated: 2012-03-27 07:20

By Zhang Yunbi in Seoul (China Daily)

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"Nuclear facilities should use more low-enriched uranium reactors with minor potential hazards to minimize security risks," Li said.

The nuclear facilities' information systems are facing threats from cyber attacks. "They should also be given deep consideration because they may become a target of terrorist attacks," he said.

In addition to working to resolve threats from nuclear materials and facilities, the global community should act in step to close loopholes brought by unbalanced efforts.

"Eliminating the breeding ground of terrorism should be promoted as the most powerful approach to the eradication of nuclear terrorist attacks, and that needs concerted global action," the secretary-general said.

Countries vary in the degree of their commitment to implementing nuclear security and concrete measures, and that results in an unbalanced global progress, Li said. "A loophole of one country may bring direct nuclear risks to other countries."

The 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Monday to Tuesday, is providing a platform for and methods of improving coordination to fight against nuclear terrorism, according to the secretary-general.

"Gathering prominent policymakers to find political common grounds is one of the most efficient and reasoned ways to solve nuclear security issues, showing the return of multilateralism," Li said.

Moreover, the world's nuclear facilities are expected to cooperate more with multilateral professional organizations, including the IAEA and International Criminal Police Organization.

"Tapping into the full potential of the organizations, which have the advantage and experience in nuclear security standards and practices, will boost the efficiency of combating nuclear terrorism and reduce possible losses as much as possible," Li said, who stressed the integral role of Interpol in fighting nuclear material smuggling.

"The global community is expected to remain vigilant with this job, that is our common expectation at the summit," Li said.

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