We Don' Need No Steenking Radiation Detectorss!

A couple weeks ago I called Gregory D. Kutz, managing director of forensic audits and special investigations at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, for comment about a short piece I was doing on the GAO's test of border security for radioactive materials. GAO agents supposedly managed to bring in enough material for two "dirty bombs" from both Canada and Mexico using fake documents. I had forgotten about the call, but Kutz got back to me today, and I asked him a couple questions, including how the GAO coordinates such a test with authorities in Canada and Mexico. Our exchange:

GAO: I can't provide any details about that, so I'll just say we do coordinate with Canadian authorities.

Reason: But not Mexican authorities?

GAO: As I said, I'm not going to get into any details.

Reason: Well it sounds strange that you'll only confirm you coordinate with one of the two countries.

GAO: Again, none of that information was in the public version of our report, so I'm not going to comment.

Reason: Wouldn't Mexican officials be upset about this, that you're smuggling radioactive materials across the border without their knowledge?

GAO: I'll let you interpret that however you want, but I'll just say we do not have to coordinate with Mexican authorities.

Anybody have anything that could shed light on this strange situation?