News Review Special Edition

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International Developments, February 1 - April 1, 2003

New Clouds Over Russia's CW Destruction Plans

As reported in the online version of the last News Review, on December 19, 2002, Russia's first chemical weapons (CW) destruction facility - at Gorny, in the Saratov region - finally entered service. Two more destruction plants are scheduled to begin work in the next few years. Under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Russia was originally scheduled to destroy its entire, staggering 40,000-metric-ton CW stockpile by April 2007 - a deadline now expected to be extended by five years.

On February 27, Sergei Kiriyenko, Chair of the State Commission on Chemical Disarmament, reported that 190 metric tons of mustard gas agent had so far been destroyed at Gorny. On March 3, however, following an inspection tour conducted the previous month, the Natural Resources Ministry reportedly ordered the plant to suspend operations while, in the words of Ministry spokesperson Denis Kiselyov, "a series of violations of environmental legislation" were investigated. On March 4, Zinovy Pak, head of the Munitions Agency mandated to carry out the destruction programme, told reporters that the Natural Resources Ministry had in fact only issued a caution to the site, and that operations would continue while procedures were reviewed and upgraded. If improvements were not made, Pak added, the Ministry "will go beyond warnings... The decision may be made to suspend operation, which nobody wants to allow to happen... There are no violations of environmental regulations capable of causing danger to personnel or the environment".

As reported frequently in Disarmament Diplomacy, Russia has long complained of inadequate financial assistance in funding and supporting the CW-elimination effort. Russian officials are also expressing cautious optimism that, particularly following the launch of the G-8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction last June, such assistance will now be more substantial and reliable. On February 19, Rogelio Pfirter, Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, visited Moscow for discussions on the issue with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. A Foreign Ministry statement summarised the meeting:

"An exchange of views on the most urgent issues related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as the development of multilateral cooperation in this field, more specifically under the Global Partnership accord, took place. Ivanov noted the significant progress made in chemical weapons destruction in Russia, which is simultaneously a contribution to accomplishing the task of ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and preventing terrorist threats. The Minister stressed that the questions of chemical disarmament are the focus of attention of the Russian leadership. Pfirter gave a high assessment of the government of the Russian Federation towards the implementation of the chemical disarmament programme, and expressed his understanding of the difficulties Russia has in fulfilling its obligations in this direction."

Security concerns clearly rank as one of these 'difficulties'. On March 6, Kiriyenko described the current budget allocation of 100 million roubles ($3.2 billion) for the protection of CW sites as seriously inadequate: "According to the government programme, security measures are adequate, but that programme was adopted before September 11...[and] before the Nord-Ost [Moscow theatre siege] tragedy... I think we will need to increase that amount by at least 100 percent."

Note: on February 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Yakovenko provided the following overview of the status and priorities of the Russian CW-destruction programme -

"Under the CWC, states are obligated to dispose of their chemical weapons stockpiles no later than April 2007. Russia, for objective reasons, is behind the timetable established. In 2001, the Government of the Russian Federation approved the refined Federal Special-Purpose Program for the Destruction of Chemical Weapons Stockpiles in Russia. The amendments to the Program mandate a drastic increase in budget financing of work in the field of chemical disarmament, a prolongation of stages and a final deadline for the destruction of chemical weapons at 2012, as well as the liquidation or conversion of facilities for its manufacture. It's important to note that the CWC's role now is heightening given the significance of the international inspectors' work within the United Nations Security Council framework for peaceful political settlement of explosive regional situations, notably surrounding Iraq. ... We are actively cooperating with the OPCW Technical Secretariat. A high-level exchange of opinions is pursued at all times on the most pressing issues. Russia abides by its obligations under the CWC. Efforts for the implementation of the Federal Program for the Destruction of Chemical Weapons have intensified significantly. A decision was made on sustained annual financing for it at a level of $160 million over a duration of ten years. Last December Russia made an important step toward the complete elimination of its chemical weapons. A destruction facility was launched in Gorny, Saratov Region, where more than a thousand metric tons of intoxicating agents will be disposed of by 2005. Now our efforts are concentrated on launching two even more powerful facilities in Shchuchye, Kurgan Region, and Kambarka, the Republic of Udmurtia. Russia is being provided with international assistance in the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles. The total amount of earmarked free aid to Russia runs into $400 million, which makes approximately 10 percent of the money needed to dispose of chemical weapons completely. Aid to Russia is being provided by the European Union, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States, Finland, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively exploring the prospects of expanding this aid with the donor countries."

Reports: Interview to RIA Novosti of Russia's MFA spokesman Alexander Yakovenko in connection with upcoming visit to Russia or Rogelio Pfirter, Director General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Russian Foreign Ministry transcript, February 18; Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov meets with Rogelio Pfirter, Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Russian Foreign Ministry Statement, Document 406-19-02-2003, February 19; Russia - Gorny disposal facility destroys 190 metric tons of mustard gas, Global Security Newswire, February 27; Russia halts chemical destruction plant, Associated Press, March 3; Russian ministry orders halt to operations at sole chemical weapons destruction facility, Associated Press, March 3; Russian chemical plant will stay open, Associated Press, March 4; Russia - Gorny disposal plant operation in doubt, Global Security Newswire, March 4; Russia - Gorny disposal plant to remain in operation, Global Security Newswire, March 5; Official - Russia must increase funding for security at chemical disarmament plants, Associated Press, March 6; Russia - chemical stockpile needs better security, official says, Global Security Newswire, March 10.

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