Joint Statements
Joint Statement on the U.S. - Russian Excess Weapon-grade Plutonium Disposition Program (July 13, 2006)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Atomic Energy Agency, Russian Federation (Rosatom), as the Executive Agents for the implementation of the 2000 Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement, hereby reaffirm their commitment to implementing the 2000 Agreement and effective and transparent disposition of 34 metric tons each of weapon-grade plutonium designated as no longer required for defense purposes. They confirm that the preferred disposition method for such plutonium to implement the 2000 Agreement is irradiation of nuclear fuel in reactors. Their expert groups are directed to:
Provide for the performance of technical analysis that will contribute to both governments' decision making on cooperation regarding Russia's program to implement the 2000 Agreement. This effort will include key technical and programmatic principles and Russia's plans for disposing of 34 metric tons of weapon-grade plutonium as required by the 2000 Agreement.
Review programmatic issues of initiating, not later than in the 2010-2012 timeframe, the "early disposition" of a portion of Russian weapon-grade plutonium as mixed oxide fuel in the BN-600 fast reactor, including agreement on monitoring arrangements.
Prepare assessments of the cost and schedule for "early disposition" and describe plans for the long-term implementation of the Russian technical program for disposition of excess weapon-grade plutonium. Present to the Secretary of Energy and Director of Rosatom by December 25, 2006 a report containing discussion of these assessments and plans, as well as proposals on further action.
Samuel W. Bodman
U.S. Secretary of Energy
Sergey Kiriyenko, Director,
Federal Atomic Energy Agency,
Russian Federation