Options for the management of highly‐fissionable civilian materials

Abstract

Dr. Jean-Francois Rioux is a consultant specializing in international security, arms control, and nuclear issues with Global Affairs Research Partners, a consulting firm based in Ottawa, Canada. In the last few years, international arms control and disarmament discussions have often been focussed on the safeguarding and management of plutonium and highly-enriched uranium (HEU) released from the dismantling of nuclear weapons. At the same time, the international community has given less attention to highlyfissionable materials (HFMs) in the civilian fuel cycle. Nevertheless, the accumulation and transportation of plutonium, and the development of the plutonium fuel cycle in several countries raise a number of concerns for nonproliferation. Since 1992, a small group of countries engaged in nuclear activities involving plutonium and HEU has met regularly, but informally, to discuss ways in which the management of these HFMs could be made safer, more secure, and more transparent. This article analyzes the accomplishments and shortfalls of those negotiations, and suggests steps towards the international safeguarding and management of plutonium and other HFMs.