US helps Ukraine return 2 bombs' worth of uranium

[Tx4obama]

Source: AP (via HuffPo)

WASHINGTON — In a secret operation to secure nuclear material, the United States has helped Ukraine return to Russia enough uranium to build two atomic bombs.

This week's removal of more than 110 pounds of highly enriched uranium followed a pledge by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to get rid of all of his country's highly enriched uranium by April 2012. The material will be blended down in Russia, rendering it useless for bomb making.

Details of the operation were provided to The Associated Press by the National Nuclear Safety Administration.

SNIP

The removal operation completed Thursday involved 21 specially designed casks for the uranium to be flown on five flights from three cities. The operation was delayed for days by ice storms in Ukraine. The U.S. also helped deliver some of the replacement fuel to Ukraine.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20101230/us-us-ukraine-uranium/

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Edited to add:

p.s. Part of why Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was for his work 'as U.S. Senator' regarding nuclear proliferation and his promise 'as president' to secure lose nukes around the world which he is doing. The Nobel Peace Prize committee did good :)

[tabatha]

1. It seems as though there were two

Ukraine operations/events.

This is ****ing awesome.

[Tx4obama]

3. More info regarding Ukraine and Serbia on link below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x581568

[tabatha]

5. Yeah, I had already rec'd that one.

[lonestarnot]

2. Yes!

[Tx4obama]

4. NNSA tweets below

From: http://twitter.com/NNSANews

#maddow: #NNSA securing 50KGs of HEU a "Christmas gift to the nation, and to the world" 38 minutes ago via web

@maddow to D'Agostino: "you're sort of the undersecretary for saving the world." 42 minutes ago via web

D'Agostino on @maddow: international cooperation to remove HEU from Ukraine involved 35 organizations in four countries. about 1 hour ago via web

Breaking on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show right now -- NNSA removed 50KGs of fresh HEU from Ukraine... D'Agostino on @maddow breaking it now... about 1 hour ago via web

Don't forget to tune in to @maddow tonight for some breaking news with NNSA Administrator D'Agostino... about 1 hour ago via web

[tabatha]

6. Wow, cool to see Maddow mentioned on NNSA tweets.

[Tx4obama]

7. Maddow broke the story tonight on her show, w/ interview of NNSA Administrator D'Agostino

She broke the story with the interview and video of the removal.
This was before The Associated Press or any other media reported on it :)
NNSA gave Maddow 'the scoop'.

[tabatha]

8. I was confused about that ----

because previously she did a story on Ukraine, and since her producer was hosting the show, I thought he was playing an old clip. I did see the program tonight.

So, she must have taken time out from her vacation to do that special interview, and Wolf hosted and played the new (what I thought was old) clip.

[Tx4obama]

9. Yep. I was confused too, but it turned out to be 'new' news :) n/t

[silverweb]

10. Rachel's segment is great.

Exclusive intervew with Thomas D'Agostino, head of the NNSA. A wonderful segment. Don't miss it!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#40859004

[Tx4obama]

11. Video of interview is here on DU too, link below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x539502

[Loudmxr]

12. This was really important to those who cared about our country.

This was really bad for those who cared about making President Obama look BAD.

The new conservatives I have said "Your words, and your words, and your actions do not match."

It is not hypocrisy ..... it is something else that cannot be defined in a single despicable word.

[Tx4obama]

13. Bump.