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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 005218 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG, KNNP, IAEA, XA, XB, XC, XD, XF, XG, XH, XL, XM SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE INSTALLATIONS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. Please protect accordingly. ------- SUMMARY ------- 1. (SBU) Due to an enormous increase in demand over the past few years for helium-3 (He-3) in neutron detection (particularly in radiation portal monitors), the USG does not have enough He-3 in stock to meet current demand over the next few years. The USG has made the decision to defer allocation of He-3 for radiation portal monitors. While diplomatic efforts are underway to raise awareness of the shortage and find solutions, Posts in countries that have already received, or will receive, equipment under the Department of Energy,s Second Line of Defense (SLD) Core Program and Megaports Initiative may find themselves the recipients of queries from their host governments about future support of these installations. This cable provides talking points to respond to queries. However, no proactive action is requested of Posts at this time. END SUMMARY. ---------- BACKGROUND ---------- 2. (SBU) He-3 has been typically produced by the radioactive decay of tritium (H-3). He-3 is used in a range of STATE 00005218 002 OF 005 SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE INSTALLATIO applications, including medical imaging, oil/gas exploration, cryogenics and low temperature physics, and neutron detection. After 9/11, the latter application increased demand on the U.S. stockpile, as nuclear security-related radiation detection systems were deployed domestically and abroad. END BACKGROUND. ---------- FACT SHEET ---------- 3. (U) The following fact sheet was produced for use in diplomatic fora in autumn 2009. Addressing the Worldwide Helium-3 Shortage Fact Sheet Purpose There is a worldwide shortage of the helium-3 (He-3) isotope, which has a variety of applications, including nuclear security and safeguards. Greater international cooperation is needed to increase the supply and decrease the demand for this valuable resource. The isotope, a decay product from tritium, is a non-reactive, non-corrosive gas which is currently the material of choice for neutron detection, providing fewer false positives than other techniques. In addition, it is finding widespread use in such areas as cryogenics, medical imaging and diagnostics, and oil/gas exploration. Without a concerted international effort, the supply will soon be short of the projected international demand by approximately a factor of 10. The United States is STATE 00005218 003 OF 005 SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE INSTALLATIO interested in: (1) working with possible supplier nations to harvest He-3, (2) working with He-3 users to better use their stocks, and (3) investigating alternatives to He-3-based systems. Since most of the demand for He-3 gas is for portal-type monitors, international safeguards, and basic science R&D, investigation of these three alternatives would benefit from the participation of the relevant international technical groups. The purpose of this fact sheet is to make potential users aware of the He-3 shortage and identify U.S. contacts for entering into bi-lateral or multi-lateral discussions. Points of Contact We request your assistance in developing a better understanding of the needs of the international safeguards and security community. In support of this effort, we have set up a special e-mail address: helium3@hq.doe.gov for exchanging information. Contact people are: U.S. Department of State Michael Curry U.S. Department of Energy Joseph Glaser END FACT SHEET. -------------------------------------------- IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD -------------------------------------------- 4. (SBU) These points may be provided if Post is queried by STATE 00005218 004 OF 005 SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE INSTALLATIO its host government about whether there will continue to be support for the SLD Core Program and Megaports Initiative. Post is not requested to proactively contact its host government. -- The United States will continue to support the SLD Core or Megaports installation in your country. Already deployed equipment is not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10 and FY11 will continue as planned using portal monitors with He-3 detectors. Further into the future, the He-3 shortage may limit deployment of equipment using this material, but alternative technologies can be used to ensure that the same capability is present at these installations. -- Note, too, that He-3 is used only for neutron detection. The current gamma ray detection technologies are unaffected by this shortage. END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON MEGAPORTS AND SLD. -------------------------- FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY -------------------------- 5. (SBU) BACKGROUND: While Pakistan does not have a signed Memorandum of Understanding on SLD or Megaports, it has been operating a Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) program, which they are looking to expand. END BACKGROUND 6. (SBU) IF-ASKED FOR PAKISTAN ONLY -- The United States will continue to support the SFI installation in your country. Already deployed equipment is not affected and deployments scheduled for FY10 and FY11 will continue as planned using equipment with He-3 detectors. Further into the future, the He-3 shortage may limit STATE 00005218 005 OF 005 SUBJECT: IF-ASKED POINTS ON HELIUM-3 SHORTAGE FOR POSTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SLD CORE PROGRAM AND MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE INSTALLATIO deployment of equipment using this material, but alternative technologies can be used to ensure that the same capability is present at these installations. END FOR EMBASSY ISLAMABAD ONLY ------------------------------- IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX ------------------------------- 7. (SBU) For TOKYO and UNVIE only. These points may be provided if Post is queried about the status of He-3 supplies for applying international safeguards to the Japanese Mixed Oxide (JMOX) fuel fabrication plant, which is scheduled to start construction in May 2010. -- The United States is seeking to meet He-3 requirements for applying international safeguards at the JMOX facility. -- While we have not yet allocated He-3 for this safeguards installation, we are seeking to clarify the requirements and identify additional sources of He-3 that may be used to meet those requirements. END IF-ASKED TALKING POINTS ON JMOX ----------------- POINTS OF CONTACT ----------------- 8. (U) Washington thanks Posts for their assistance in this regard. Please slug questions to points of contact in paragraph 3. CLINTON