Disarmament Diplomacy

News Review

Russia And US Discuss CW Destruction Assistance

Mixed messages have been emerging from US-Russia discussions on the details of assistance to be provided to Moscow in its chemical weapons (CW) destruction programme. Under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Russia is due to complete the destruction of its 40,000-ton stockpile by 2007, although permission to apply for a five-year extension is built into the treaty. The destruction programme was plagued with delay and underfunding through the Yeltsin years, but has been given new priority under President Putin, and specifically under the President's Special Envoy for Chemical Disarmament, former Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko.

Last year, Congress halted its financial assistance for the project - with only $260 million of a pledged $880 million delivered - out of concerns of mismanagement and lack of candour of the extent and condition of the stockpile. On February 1, Kiriyenko told reporters that "Russia has done everything to meet" these concern, particularly with regard to the "Americans' main doubt...[of] whether Russia has declared all of its chemical weapons". On February 9, answering written questions from the Los Angeles Times following a visit to the United States which included meetings with Secretary of State Powell and National Security Advisor Rice, Kiriyenko suggested that all major obstacles had been cleared: "The main thing is that we have reached a political solution of the problem, the absence of which had been the main stumbling block." The envoy elaborated: "Russia got down to it and energetically got everything done. In 2001, the budget financing of the programme was increased six-fold, and in 2002 it is being doubled again. In addition, the chemical weapons destruction process has been moved from the Defence Ministry to a civilian agency, the Russian Agency for Munitions." Referring to the issue's broader context, Kiriyenko stressed: "Russia and the United States have a common view on the struggle against international terrorism, and unless all chemical weapons are destroyed, these weapons might theoretically get into the hands of terrorists. That is why the destruction of all stockpiles is a priority for both countries."

The priority for the Russian programme is the construction of a centralised CW destruction facility at Shchuchye. Despite Kiriyenko's optimism, on February 28 the Director General of the Munitions Agency, Zinoviy Pak, was reported by the Interfax news agency as complaining that a resumption of US funding had still not been agreed. The reason for the delay, or its likely extent, was not clear from media accounts.

Reports: Russia - work remains to get US disarmament funds, Global Security Newswire, February 4; Russia hails pact on disarmament aid, Los Angeles Times, February 9; Russia - disposal efforts might fail due to lack of US funds, official says, Global Security Newswire, March 1.

© 2002 The Acronym Institute.