NAVAL REACTORS OFFICE OF ARMS CONTROL, OFFICE OF SECURITY AFFAIRS AND OFFICE OF SECURITY EVALUATIONS, 03/11/1992, Question and Answer
- Basis Date:
- 19920821
- Chairperson:
- T. Bevill
- Committee:
- House Appropriations
- Docfile Number:
- Q92AE224
- Hearing Date:
- 19920311
- DOE Lead Office:
- ER
SUB
- Committee:
- Energy and Water Development
- Hearing Subject:
- NAVAL REACTORS OFFICE OF ARMS CONTROL, OFFICE OF SECURITY
AFFAIRS AND OFFICE OF SECURITY EVALUATIONS
- Witness Name:
- Adm. DeMars
-
Hearing Text:
-
U.S. SOVIET COOPERATION
Mr. Dwyer: The Office of Arms Control and Non-proliferation is
playing an increasing role in coordinating the Department's efforts to
encourage scientists from Russia and other states in the commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) to direct their talents toward peaceful ends.
Recently, the Department announced a $90,000 contract agreement for 116
scientists from the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy in Moscow to work
on magnetic fusion. How will the Russian scientists be able to complete
our fusion research effort?
Dr. Czajkowski: The technical services subcontract between General
Atomics and the Kurchatov Institute is for an investigation of the use of
high power microwaves for magnetic fusion heating and current drive. The
Moscow group will be using the T-10 tokamak system which is in place at
the Kurchatov Institute. This group of scientists and technicians has
been working in this area for some time and there have been many close
working connections between these two groups in recent years under the
auspices of the U.S.-USSR Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Agreement. The
Russian group has the special skills and equipment required to carry out
this investigation. This work will be carried out in a collaborative and
interactive manner with the task supervisors in General Atomics. There
will be exchanges of scientific personnel and frequent, direct
communications by facsimile, electronic mail and telephone. The financial
arrangements in the contract are based on fulfillment of clearly
identified milestones and associated fixed price progress payments due
upon completion of the milestones.
Mr. Dwyer: How does this contract impact the Russian participation
in the ITER program?
Dr. Czajkowski: This subcontract is specifically developed to
support ongoing, high priority tasks supporting the U.S. fusion research
program on the Department's DIII-D tokamak facility, operated by its
contractor, General Atomics, in La Jolla, CA. This subcontract does not
deal with the Russian Federation's contributions or participation in the
ITER Engineering Design Activities (EDA). All four ITER Parties, i.e.,
the European Community, Japan, the Russian Federation and the U.S., are
expected to make equal contributions to the ITER EDA work program when it
is approved. We understand from Russian Federation officials that their
domestic support of the ITER EDA responsibilities is a high priority
within their system and is unrelated to this sub-contract.
Mr. Dwyer: Were the scientists at the Kurchatov Institute engaged in
defense-related research?
Dr. Czajkowski: To the best of our knowledge, the answer is "no".
Our scientists have worked with the leaders of this group for some time
and know many of the individuals as working colleagues. This particular
facility has been one of the mainstays in the Soviet fusion program and,
indeed, in the world fusion program. Therefore, while we do not know the
background of every individual member of the T-10 team, the overall record
of the team is one of long-standing, high achievement in the magnetic
fusion energy field, including many well respected publications in the
open scientific literature.
Mr. Dwyer: How is this agreement different from other U.S. efforts
to redirect Russian nuclear scientists?
Dr. Czajkowski: As I explained on the last question, we do not know
that any of the scientists on this project have been involved in nuclear
weapons development. It is a joint project between U.S. and C.I.S.
scientists which will benefit the effort of both countries to develop
fusion energy for peaceful purposes. In addition, this will be funded out
of an existing DOE program budget which means a clear source of funds is
identified and available. Finally, while the Department of Energy has
done cooperative work in magnetic fusion energy with the former Soviet
Union under the U.S. U.S.S.R. Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy Agreement,
this specific arrangement is a technical services subcontract between
General Atomics and Kurchatov Institute. The subcontract was reviewed by
the interagency Group on Soviet Science and Technology which is led by the
State Department.
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