US sends radiation detectors to Jordan

Move aims to secure kingdom’s borders from radioactive material smuggled from Syria or Iran

International radiation symbol (credit: CC BY Wikipedia)
International radiation symbol (credit: CC BY Wikipedia)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan says the United States has helped it boost its nuclear security by improving detection of radioactive materials at its borders as concern grows over instability in neighboring Syria.

The statement by the Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission was reported by the kingdom’s newspapers Monday.

Jordanian officials have expressed worries that radioactive materials from Syria and its ally Iran could be moved across Jordan’s border to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries in case of an all-out war in Syria.

Analysts say that Syria could host ongoing, illicit nuclear weapons activity by Iran and North Korea.

The US donated to Jordan 35 personal radiation detectors valued altogether at nearly $106,000 on Sunday. An embassy statement said it will curb nuclear proliferation and illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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