Two-day Seminar Under Iaea Aegis Opens In Baku

On Monday, a two-day seminar under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency has opened in the capital of Azerbaijan. Under discussion is prevention of illegal transportation of components of nuclear weapons and radioactive materials, as well as ensuring of nuclear security and counteraction to nuclear terrorism. Also taking part in the seminar are representatives of customs and law enforcement bodies and secret services. Taking the floor at the seminar, Andrei Chupov, IAEA coordinator for Azerbaijan, said that the use of Azerbaijan's territory as a channel for contraband of radioactive materials from Central Asia (in Soviet times large capacities for the manufacture of radioactive products were concentrated here) into Western markets and countries in the Middle East is quite possible. Chupov said that, in order to close possible channels of illegal movement of components of nuclear weapons and radioactive materials, the degree of training specialists for customs and other agencies must be improved and they must be provided with updated equipment.