US, Canada to help Russia with nuclear counterterrorism centre
By DPA, IANSWednesday, January 19, 2011
MOSCOW - Russia has stepped up cooperation with the US and Canada to protect its nuclear installations from terrorist attacks, it was reported Wednesday.
The three countries will monitor the facilities from a centre 400 km east of Moscow, the newspaper Kommersant quoted the Russian Defence Ministry as saying.
The Abramovo Counterterrorism Training Centre (ACTC) will be used to train defence ministry personnel for Russia’s nuclear sites in security tactics and measures.
“The world is today confronted with new threats,” scientist Vladimir Orlov told the newspaper. “International terrorist organisations are showing a greater interest in obtaining nuclear weapons or attacking nuclear facilities.”
The centre in Abramovo is part of the new relationship between Russia and the US. It will also monitor the transport of nuclear material within Russia.
Construction of the centre was proposed by the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at a meeting in Washington in April 201.
The US and Canadian governments will share part of the costs.
