A comparison was made of an Administration policy statement on nuclear proliferation with a GAO Report "Assessment of U.S. and International Controls over the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy," ID-76-60. There was general agreement on the need for more effective controls to curb nuclear weapons proliferation, but the executive branch response did not indicate plans for action on specific GAO recommendations. Recommendations in the GAO report were designed to strengthen U.S. agreements for cooperation, upgrade nuclear safeguards, control exports, and guide future U.S. strategy.

Although the Administration statement took a positive approach by directing negotiations that would bring existing agreements into conformity with international and new U.S. criteria, the statement was not specific enough. The Administration supported recommendations for upgrading safeguards, but disagreed with the need for some of the procedures for inspection evaluation and monitoring. The Administration agreed with the need for export controls, but legislation to this effect was not enacted.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Recommendation for Executive Action

Recommendation: Agreements for nuclear cooperation should stress adherence to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and submission to full fuel cycle safeguards. U.S. nuclear export policy should be more clearly defined.

Agency Affected:

Status: Closed

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