15 April 2008

U.S. Statement on Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

United States, Russia launch joint initiative to plan international exercises

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 15, 2008

Media Note

Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Launches Exercise Planning Efforts

The United States participated in the first meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Exercise Planning Group in Paris on April 15, to support the development and execution of international exercises aimed at combating the threat posed by nuclear terrorism.  Exercise planners from defense, energy, foreign affairs, law enforcement, intelligence, and other ministries from over 20 nations participated in this inaugural meeting to set the agenda for the Initiative’s exercise program.

The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism is a joint initiative launched by U.S. President Bush and Russian President Putin that expands partner capacity to combat the global threat of nuclear terrorism.

For additional information on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, please refer to: http://www.statelgov/t/idn/v18406.htm

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)