Asian countries agree to cooperate on addressing nuclear terrorism

TOKYO, Jan. 22 Kyodo -
Officials of 16 Asian countries agreed Friday to cooperate on addressing
nuclear terrorism ahead of a U.S.-initiated Nuclear Security Summit in April,
while noting that the risk of nuclear material being used for malicious
purposes is a ''serious threat'' to international peace.
The participants ''expressed their commitment to work together so that the
Asian region will serve as a good model for other regions in promoting peaceful
uses of nuclear energy while ensuring nuclear security,'' according to the
chairman's conclusion issued after the two-day meeting ended in Tokyo the same
day.
While welcoming the ''substantial progress'' seen in the area of nuclear
security in Asia since the last meeting in 2006, the participants recognized
that ''there is still room for further development,'' including on
information-sharing, according to the chairman's document and a Japanese
official.
The event, hosted by the Japanese Foreign Ministry and the International Atomic
Energy Agency, was attended by nine countries of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, Japan, China and South Korea as well as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Experts from the United States and Australia also
attended.
Nuclear security encompasses preventing the theft, diversion and illicit
trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials, and protecting nuclear
installations from sabotage and other malicious acts, according to the U.N.
nuclear watchdog.
The need for enhanced nuclear security is drawing attention as nuclear
materials and facilities requiring protection are expected to increase along
with a rise in the number of countries introducing nuclear power plants and
progress in nuclear disarmament, which will produce dismantled nuclear
materials.
==Kyodo