Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Agreements Signed on U.S.
Financial Support for Dismantling Skrunda Radar Station
Riga DIENA 13 Aug 94 p 1
by Juris Tihonovs
[Excerpt] Riga, 12 Aug -- [passage omitted] Commenting on
the agreements concluded to dismantle part of the Skrunda radar
station, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Birkavs said that they
represent one phase of the work connected with the Russian troop
withdrawal. In his opinion, this marks the very beginning of the
process of removing the consequences of the Russian Army's
presence in Latvia. He also expressed his satisfaction with the
recent visit by U.S. President Bill Clinton, which promoted the
conclusion of the agreements and helped to increase the sum
allotted toward this goal. Birkavs expressed the hope that in
the next 18 months of intensive Latvian-U.S. cooperation, the
Skrunda radar station would be dismantled. The Prime Minister
also announced that on 30 August Latvia will also receive part
of the financial support for dismantling the radar station that
was promised by Sweden.
U.S. Ambassador in Latvia I. Silins stated that his country
is eager to dismantle the Skrunda radar station as soon as
possible. The ambassador said that the United States is already
planning to next week begin publishing announcements inviting
entrepreneurs to present proposals for carrying out the project.
To this, Birkavs added that Latvian companies will be also
permitted to participate in the project. According to him,
Latvian workers can be hired for the actual dismantling jobs.
He also promised to invite Latvian musicians, after the
dismantling is complete, to organize a rock concert on the spot
where the former radar station stood. The prime minister
expressed his concern that the $7 million [pledged by the United
States] would may prove insufficient. The ambassador replied
that to him it seemed to be a large enough sum and ought to
serve the purpose.
