DUSHANBE, October 6, 2912, Asia-Plus -- On October 9-10, the U.S. State Department’s Preventing Nuclear Smuggling Program (PNSP) will hold a two-day workshop in Dushanbe to review current response protocols related to illicit radiological and nuclear smuggling.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the workshop is part of the Joint Action Plan between the U.S. Government and the Government of Tajikistan.

The PNSP first engaged Tajikistan in April 2012, to help strengthen response capabilities within Tajikistan and to enhance the U.S. and Tajikistan governments’ partnership in preventing, detecting, and responding to smuggling attempts of nuclear or highly radioactive materials.  The October workshop will not only strengthen response capabilities, but will also identify ways to improve nuclear forensics.

Additionally, the workshop will provide Tajikistan with core concepts necessary for a Counter Nuclear Smuggling Team ( http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/187722.pdf ). PNSP looks forward to continued collaborations with the Government of Tajikistan.