[en] Whilst international safeguards of fissile materials to protect against abuse has long been the subject of extensive debate, little public attention has so far been devoted to the internal security of these materials. All countries using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes have corresponding rules and regulations. In the Federal Republic of Germany, for instance, this security is required also under the Atomic Energy Act and thus constitutes a licensing criterion. Internal security is distinguished from international safeguards also by the fact that actions of security forces are possible in cases of infringement, which means that much shorter detection times are necessary and appropriate while, on the other hand, the government proper and the organization operating the facility in question must be regarded as being above suspicion. International safeguards control, by contrast, is directed against governments as potential diverters of fissile material. (orig.)