WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today applauded the announcement by President Barack Obama to hold a Global Nuclear Security Summit to confront the danger posed by the threat of nuclear terrorism. President Obama made the announcement at the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy.
"I welcome the President's announcement yesterday at the G-8 summit to host a Global Nuclear Security Summit next March,” said Senator Casey. “I join the President in affirming that the prospect of a terrorist group exploding a nuclear weapon in a major city is the gravest threat to U.S. and international security. Through his actions and statements, President Obama has demonstrated his leadership in coordinating a comprehensive international response to secure vulnerable fissile materials and combat nuclear smuggling efforts."
At the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila, the President formally announced his plan to host a Global Nuclear Security Summit in March 2010. This announcement follows up on his earlier pronouncement in Prague that nuclear terrorism is the most immediate and extreme threat to global security. The Global Nuclear Security Summit would allow discussion on the nature of the threat and develop steps that can be taken together to secure vulnerable materials, combat nuclear smuggling and deter, detect and disrupt attempts at nuclear terrorism.
Senator Casey has been outspoken on the need to combat nuclear terrorism. He has outlined a three-part strategy on nuclear terrorism to address what he has called the single greatest peril to our nation.
First, we must elevate the penalties for individuals and businesses that facilitate smuggling of fissile material and related nuclear components. Second, we should work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish a global library of nuclear fissile material to track the origin of the material. Finally, we must be doing more in the overall effort to combat nuclear proliferation among states like Iran, North Korea and others who seek or acquire nuclear material.
Senator Casey has focused on the unique threat posed by Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, repeatedly raising his concerns over its safety and security with U.S. government officials at Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings.
Earlier this year, along with Senator Burr, Senator Casey co-founded the Senate Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism Caucus. The Caucus has already sponsored a briefing with a senior official in the Office of the Vice President to review the Administration's efforts and is planning an event later this summer geared towards bio-terrorism.
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