Monday, April 19, 2010
Mexico Announces the Elimination of Enriched Uranium
Presidency of the Republic
Washington, D.C. – Mexican President Felipe Calderón announced an agreement between the United States, Canada
and Mexico to replaced enriched uranium with low enriched uranium (LEU) for research purposes.
This agreement confirms Mexico's commitment to working actively to reduce and eventually eliminate what could be a
nuclear threat.
"We have obviously reinforced measures to secure the nuclear material in national territory that is being used in our
electricity generation or research centers on the basis of the organization's recommendations and Mexican nuclear facilities
have been properly protected," he said.
During his participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., the Mexican president also expressed his
commitment to preventing this type of material, as well as radioactive material, from reaching non-state agents to be used
for terrorist purposes.
President Calderón stressed that for Mexico, not only non-proliferation but too an active disarmament policy and, obviously,
the responsible exercise of states' rights to the peaceful use of nuclear energy form integral parts of nuclear security.
"Preventing and combating nuclear terrorism demands an integral approach in which we wish to take part, which will
include the security of transportation routes; maritime, port, land and civil aviation security; and the proper handling and
care of hazardous [waste] material," he said.
He added that Mexico signed the Additional Protocol to the Safeguard Agreement that gives the International Atomic
Energy Agency more power to verify the absence of nuclear materials and related, undeclared actions.
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Press Release: Presidency of the Republic, April 13, 2010, Mexico City; translation Presidency of the Republic
