Pages 31 from FCO 96991 - Non-Proliferation 'Grey Areas' 1979

This confidential message provides background information on the "grey area" items in the nuclear field. Grey area items refer to those that have both respectable uses outside the sensitive nuclear field and more sensitive uses within the nuclear field. The challenge lies in striking a balance between permitting legitimate trade and preventing potential diversion to sensitive uses. Currently, there is no satisfactory way to distinguish between respectable trade and potentially suspicious trade in grey area items. Efforts are being made to create a list of grey area items crucial for the operation of sensitive nuclear facilities, but this process may take weeks or months to complete. The goal is to find an effective means of managing non-proliferation policy while minimizing interference with trade.