Nuclear Proliferation; Uncertainties with Implementing IAEA's Strengthened Safeguards System

摘要

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards are a cornerstone of U.S. and international efforts to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation. Since the early 197Os, the international community has relied on IAEA safeguards to independently verify that non-nuclear weapon states are complying with their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Under the NPT, states with comprehensive safeguards agreements must declare all nuclear material to the Agency. IAEA then regularly inspects all facilities or locations containing declared material to verify its peaceful uses. The discovery that Iraq had developed a clandestine nuclear weapons program while IAEA was inspecting Iraq's civilian nuclear facilities caused the Agency and its member states to initiate an intensive effort to strengthen further the safeguards system. This report (1) describes the changes IAEA is undertaking to strengthen its safeguards program, (2) assesses the reasonableness of IAEA's assumptions regarding the impact of these changes on program costs and efficiency, and (3) comments on the extent of IAEA's reliance on the United States to finance the Agency's safeguards activities.