By Andy McCue, 21 September 2004 13:45
NEWS The international nuclear watchdog is struggling to get funding for a new computer system that will help its weapons inspectors analyse data vital to enforcing weapons ban treaties around the world.
The intergovernmental and UN-backed International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) uses special purpose software and hardware to receive, store and analyse data received from countries or gathered by its safeguards staff.
Verification that nuclear safeguards are adhered to is part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The current IAEA safeguards information system (ISIS) is increasingly expensive to run because it is based on outdated IT from the late 1970s. The IAEA claims failure to replace the hardware and software now "would carry high risks".
The new ISIS system will use new hardware and newly developed core applications that will allow inspectors immediate secure online access to all safeguards information.
But the IAEA is short on funds for the new system, despite a pledge today from the UK government for £1.1m. This will merely allow the IAEA to engage contractors for the project. The US is the only other country to contribute to the ISIS overhaul.
Commenting on the UK's donation, DTI minister Nigel Griffiths said in a statement: "Countering the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a key priority for the government and international community. The IAEA has a central role in this area, in particular through continued effective and efficient safeguards work. This is why the ISIS re-engineering project is so important. I very much hope that this donation will encourage other countries to come forward with funding to support the Agency's work in this area."
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