Stronger controls needed to prevent terrorist 'dirty bombs'. Vienna conference urges better security, surveillance and regulation

The International Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources was held from 10 to 13 March 2003 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria. U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham presided over the Conference, which was co-sponsored by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United States of America and hosted by the Government of Austria. It was organized by the IAEA in co-operation with the European Commission, the World Customs Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-Interpol) and the European Police Office (Europol). Over seven hundred delegates from more than 120 countries gathering in Vienna called today for stronger national and international security over radioactive sources, especially those that could be used to produce a terrorist 'dirty bomb'. 'High-risk radioactive sources that are not under secure and regulated control, including so-called orphan sources, raise serious security and safety concerns', the International Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources concluded. 'Effective national infrastructures for the safe and secure management of vulnerable and dangerous radioactive sources are essential for ensuring the long-term security and control of such sources'