U.S. expects consensus on nuclear security at Washington summit

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. official said Wednesday the administration expects strong commitment from leaders attending a Washington summit next week to strengthen nuclear security, and consensus on specific steps to be taken.

Robert Einhorn, State Department's special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control, told a press briefing that in terms of specific results of the April 12-13 summit, the United States expects leaders from 40 plus countries to come out with a shared commitment to "do whatever they can to strengthen nuclear security," so that loose nuclear material or weapons won't fall into the hands of terrorists.

He said the commitment is to be reflected in a joint statement, which representatives from the participating parties are working on. Another document that's expected to come out is a work plan, which would go into greater detail on specific steps that can be taken.

"We are working hard to get consensus on both documents," Einhorn said, "there will be extensive discussions on how to secure facilities and materials on one's territory."

He said the White House chose countries and leaders that have a particular stake to send out invitation. The criteria not only include substantial nuclear material, reactors on their territory, but also include whether they can make a major contribution to addressing the threat of nuclear terrorism.

You have to have "three nuclear reactors at a minimum to be invited," said Einhorn, but the judgement mostly lie at whether the country can make a constructive contribution to the success of the event.

"President Obama set the goal of securing all potentially vulnerable nuclear materials for four years. And we're hoping that this summit meeting will endorse that approach."