UPDATE - Russia slams US on chemical weapons plant delay
Date: 12-Nov-01
Country: RUSSIA
Author: Jon Boyle
Zinovy Pak told Reuters in an interview late last week the Pentagon's refusal to release promised funds could force him to halt Russia's programme to neutralise the toxic agents.
The row could further delay a programme already well behind schedule. Moscow missed earlier deadlines to cut its 40,000 tonne (44,000 ton) stockpile, and is certain to miss the 2007 completion date set out in the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.
The row erupted on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's summit in the United States, where he is to discuss arms control with U.S. President George W. Bush. And it comes barely three weeks after the two leaders vowed to do all they could to prevent the spread of chemical and other weapons of mass destruction. The issue is even more topical given the rash of anthrax attacks in the United States.
"Unfortunately, the Pentagon and the State Department are holding up decisions on the start of building work, for incomprehensible and unjustified reasons," said Pak, his huge hands tapping out his frustration on the table.
"Firstly, the United States is not giving the money, and secondly it is not giving the go-ahead for construction work to begin...I speak so harshly because I've just had a meeting with representatives of the United States."
The U.S. embassy was not immediately available for comment.
FUNDING DEAL
Under agreements signed in 1992 and 1996, the United States agreed to fund construction of a giant chemical weapons destruction plant at Shchuchye in western Siberia, where some 32,000 tonnes of organo-phosphate weapons are to be neutralised.
The U.S. Congress last year cut off funding because of Russia's failure to put in its own cash. But after intense lobbying by Pak on Capitol Hill, it was restored.
Pak said Russia had "fulfilled and even exceeded" U.S. spending targets, setting aside $25 million for the Shchuchye plant this year, a sum he said would be almost doubled in 2002.
"Russia has fully met (U.S. demands) and more. But unfortunately bureaucrats, first at the State Department and then the Pentagon, started thinking up new reasons for not starting to fulfil their obligations.
"The reasons they give are artificial...It's a game by bureaucrats who don't want there to be normal relations of partnership between Russia and the United States."
So far Russia has built housing and installed roads, water, gas and electricity. But a Reuters journalist who visited the site in June saw no construction apart from so far was a row of toilets - presumably for the contractors.
"I am greatly concerned, because I just don't understand whether the United States will take part."
Pak said he hoped Putin and Bush would discuss the matter at Bush's ranch in Texas, and that if Washington did not alter its stance by year-end, Russia might review the programme.
"Then we will tell the whole world that the United States didn't want to help Russia. They don't seem worried that Russia will retain a considerable amount of chemical weapons. But I don't think that will increase their security," Pak added.
SECURITY CONCERNS
Since the September 11 attacks on the United States, security has been increased almost daily at the seven Russian sites which store the deadly toxins, Pak said.
"We are doing everything so that not a single terrorist or anyone else will get their hands on even a gram of chemical weapons. But we can only give a guarantee when we have destroyed everything. Because with terrorism, theft is an art form."
Overall, Moscow says it needs $4 billion to destroy its chemical weapons stocks, although another dispute is brewing between Russia and Western states about when a chemical weapon can be considered destroyed.
Pak says once the active nerve agent is neutralised it can no longer be considered a weapon. Washington says the by-product should also be destroyed. Pak said the wording of the Chemical Weapons Convention was unclear on the issue.
