A- Bomb Black Market Feared

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31363, 8 May 1967, Page 15

A- Bomb Black Market Feared

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 7. An Atomic Energy Commission advisory panel had warned of an atom-bomb black market, the “N e w York Times” news service reported.

The panel said criminal or terrorist groups might attempt to divert fissionable materials into secret production of atomic weapons. To prevent this, it recommended greater efforts to develop an effective, universal safeguard system and severe criminal penalties for diversion of fissionable materials. It also proposed that an informer system be set up with

rewards for information about diversion of nuclear materials. The panel found the present safeguards systems inadequate, particularly as an increasing amount of plutonium will be produced by the expanding number of atomic power plants. By 1980, the panel said, It had been forecast that atomic power plants would produce plutonium at the rate of 100 kilograms a day—enough for about 10 atomic weapons. This anticipated plutonium production as a byproduct of atomic power reactors, “makes it essential that an effective world-wide international safeguards system be established quickly,” the panel said in a report to the commission. The report criticised the present method by which the United States verifies the safeguards programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) over fissionable materials received from the United States. It proposed that the commission “should improve its evaluation of the effectiveness of the Euratom safeguards programme.” It also said the United States “should intensify its

efforts to establish an effective, universal safeguards system under the International Atomic Energy Agency.” The panel proposed “appropriate surveillance” of the Euratom safeguards programme by the international agency, with a “active participation as appropriate” by the agency in inspection <rf atomic facilities within Euratom. As a concession to European allies, the United States has revised its proposals for a non-proliferation treaty to permit the Euratom system to continue on the condition that it be “verified” by the international agency. The United States, however, has hesitated to suggest that

such “verification” would involve international agency inspection on Euratom territory —a step which is unacceptable to Euratom members.

Diplomatic Relations. Jugoslavia and Malaysia have agreed to establish diplomatic relations, said a joint communique issued yesterday by Malaysian leaders and the Jugoslav officials. Kuala Lumpur, May 7.