WASHINGTON , Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism began a four-day trip today to review U.S. cooperation with European allies, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
"We are continually reminded that the security of America and the security of the world are inextricably linked," said former Senator Bob Graham , the Commission's Chairman.
"We must work together to keep dangerous materials out of the hands of terrorists," said former Senator Jim Talent , the Commission's Vice-Chairman. "We look forward to meeting with our closest international partners, not only to discuss our successes, but also to examine continuing challenges."
The nine-member Commission will meet Wednesday and Thursday in London with senior UK officials in charge of non-proliferation, counterproliferation, and counterterrorism. The Commission will be especially interested in the UK government's domestic security efforts and its perspective on home-grown terrorism.
On Friday, commissioners will meet with officials at the IAEA in Vienna to explore the IAEA's role in advancing key nonproliferation and counterterrorism objectives. The visit will be an opportunity to discuss growing resource challenges for the IAEA, steps needed to ensure the long-term viability of the safeguards technology base, and potential strains on the IAEA if civilian nuclear energy expands worldwide.
At OSCE, the Commission will be briefed on successes and challenges in multilateral cooperation against terrorism, as well as opportunities to increase the capacity of partners to prevent WMD terrorism.
The Commission will also meet with Ambassador Greg Schulte , the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna (UNVIE).
The Commission earlier this month announced it will hold its first public hearing in New York on Sept. 10 , the first of two planned public hearings.
Established by House Resolution 1 to implement a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism is charged with assessing current activities, initiatives, and programs of the United States to prevent weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism. The Commission will make concrete recommendations to improve such activities and plans to issue its final report this fall.
SOURCE Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
