News

USIS Washington 
File

24 April 1998

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE ON REMOVAL OF URANIUM FROM REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

(Operation Auburn Endeavor: fuel moved to United Kingdom) (360)



Washington -- The United States has completed the removal of five
kilograms of highly enriched uranium from a nuclear research center in
the Republic of Georgia to the United Kingdom.


The April 24 White House announcement said the successful project,
dubbed Operation Auburn Endeavor, "originated when the Georgian
government sought U.S. help in securing this research reactor fuel
stored at the Nuclear Research Center in Tbilisi."


This operation is "a powerful, positive example of how countries can
cooperate in practical ways to lessen the dangers of nuclear
proliferation," the White House said.


Following is the text of the announcement:



(Begin text)



THE WHITE HOUSE



Office of the Press Secretary

The White House



For Immediate Release

April 24, 1998



OPERATION AUBURN ENDEAVOR



Today the United States, in close cooperation with Georgia and the
United Kingdom, completed the removal of about five kilograms of
highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Georgia to the United Kingdom. This
operation, named Auburn Endeavor, reflects the continued commitment of
our governments to international security and non-proliferation goals.
It is the latest in a series of international efforts to safeguard
surplus nuclear materials.


Auburn Endeavor originated when the Georgian government sought U.S.
help in securing this research reactor fuel stored at the Nuclear
Research Center in Tbilisi. The U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense
and State have worked to secure and transport the material from
Georgia to safe storage in the United Kingdom. To assure the integrity
of the mission and safety of personnel, strict security measures were
in effect and operational details closely held.


This successful mission demonstrates the importance all three nations
place upon stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
and the strength of our commitment to that objective. The U.S. role in
this project was made possible by Congressional support of the
Cooperative Threat Reduction and other non-proliferation programs.
Auburn Endeavor is a powerful, positive example of how countries can
cooperate in practical ways to lessen the dangers of nuclear
proliferation.


(End text)