Implementation of safeguards commitments: A Cuban experience

Cuba has been involved in the implementation of IAEA's safeguards for around 25 years. From the very beginning of its nuclear power program, 66-type safeguards agreements for each of its nuclear facilities were subscribed between Cuba and the Agency since 1980. Later, in 1999 and following the establishment of measures for strengthening effectiveness and improving efficiency of the IAEA's safeguards system by the international community, Cuba signed an additional protocol to its safeguards agreements in force at that time. During this period (1980-2004) Cuba established a State System for Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Materials (SSAC) along with its legal support. For almost 14 years the IAEA carried out inspections aimed at verifying the compliance with its safeguards commitments by Cuba. Cuba made a further commitment towards a global and regional nuclear non proliferation, peace and international security, when on September 14th, 2002 decided to become a member of both the Treaty for the Proscription of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In September 2003, Cuba decided to sign, simultaneously with the Agency, a Safeguards Agreement and its Additional Protocol, which entered into force on June 3rd, 2004. The strengthening of its SSAC and its legal support along with the negotiation and instrumentation of its new safeguards commitments has characterized the present stage. Since 2004 the IAEA has been involved in the verification of the correctness and completeness of the information provided by Cuba as part of its obligations. (author)