Cablegate: Wmd Portal Detection Update: Legal Restrictions On Opening the Rail Car

VZCZCXYZ0006
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNT #2171 3611142
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 271142Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8960
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3562
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9775
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 4178
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0054
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2059
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 7251
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0728
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 3783
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0156
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0068
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0123
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0056
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0068
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

S E C R E T TASHKENT 002171

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
NOFORN

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN BRIAN RORAFF, ISN/CTR ARYN LESTER, AND
SCA/RA ANNE CUMMINGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: MNUC KNNP PARM KCRM PTER ASEC KCOR KZ KG UZ
SUBJECT: WMD PORTAL DETECTION UPDATE: LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON OPENING THE RAIL CAR REF: A. STATE 163194 B. TASHKENT 2063 C. TASHKENT 2081 D. TASHKENT 2090 Classified By: DTRO Chief Fred Carter and Poloff Steven Prohaska for re asons 1.4 (b, d).

1.(S//NF) Representatives from Uzbekistan's Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) told Defense Threat Reduction Office Chief on December 24 that the rail car interdicted on November 28 (reftels) at xxxxxxxxxxxx has not yet been opened and has not been relocated to xxxxxxxxxxxx. In accordance with Uzbekistan law, the car is being held in abeyance until either the shipper from Kyrgyzstan arrives to explain the detection of radioactivity or until sixty days have elapsed. (Comment: It is very unlikely that the shipper will present himself or herself to explain the contents of the rail car, given the prosecution that would probably ensue. End comment.)

2.(S//NF) INP indicated that the radioactive material is located in the center of the car, and INP requires a minimum standoff distance of five meters from the car. The officials believe that the material is highly contaminated, and their handheld portal monitors suggest that the original source was cesium.
NORLAND

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