United States, Mexico Agree to Fight Nuclear Smuggling
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and Mexican Minister of Finance and Public Credit Agustin Carstens signed a pact April 16 to prevent the smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration will work with Mexican Customs to install radiation detection equipment at four Mexican seaports that account for nearly 90 percent of container traffic in Mexico.
Bodman said the agreement "solidifies the United States and Mexico's joint commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of our nations. This initiative builds on our ongoing cooperation to advance nonproliferation by deploying advanced technologies to reduce the threat of illegal shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials into our countries."
Carstens said his country's customs agency "will not only increase its security and efficiency levels, which are among its main responsibilities," but also "enhance its competitiveness level." He said the agreement "shows the strong spirit of cooperation between Mexico and the United States, and it underscores the importance assigned to the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership initiatives."