US Seeks to Remove weapons-grade Uranium from 16 Countries

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 24, 2002

US Seeks to Remove weapons-grade Uranium from 16 Countries

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The United States is implementing an ambitious program to remove weapons-grade uranium from two dozens of research reactors in 16 countries to keep the materials out of dangerous hands, US officials said Friday.

The program came to light after the US, with cooperation from Russia and Yugoslavia, on Thursday successfully moved more than 100 pounds (about 45.3 kilograms) of enriched uranium out of Yugoslavia to Russia for commercial use.

The uranium, stored in a research reactor near Belgrade, is said to be enough for two nuclear bombs.

US officials refused to disclose specific names for other sitesconcerned for fear of providing terrorists any clues to seek nuclear materials.

It was reported that the US is now working with Uzbekistan to get rid of enriched uranium stored at a research reactor in the country.

Following the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington D.C., the US perceives proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as a major national security concern based on the presumption thatterrorists who have access to such weapons will not hesitate to use them against US interests.

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