ACCESSION NUMBER:301500
FILE ID:EUR308
DATE:09/01/93
TITLE:U.S.-RUSSIAN TALKS ON COOPERATION IN SPACE, ENERGY OPEN (09/01/93)
TEXT:*93090108.EUR
*EUR308 09/01/93 *
U.S.-RUSSIAN TALKS ON COOPERATION IN SPACE, ENERGY OPEN
(Expected to sign MTCR) (520)
By David Pitts
USIA Staff Writer
Washington -- Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor
Chernomyrdin held a day-long meeting September 1 of the joint U.S.-Russian
Commission on Cooperation in Space and Energy. It was the first meeting of
the commission since it was created during the Vancouver Summit between
1resident Clinton and Russian President Yeltsin.
The meetings were to continue September 2 and conclude with ceremonies
during which agreements on energy and space issues were expected to be
signed, including a Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
On August 31 a senior administration official said the MTCR agreement "will
lay out in precise terms what Russia and the U.S. have agreed to do."
He said the agreement also would "provide the roadmap for Russian exports in
the future." He called it "a very positive development" and an "ongoing
effort to prevent proliferation of weapons."
The United States had been concerned about Russian exports of missile
technology to India and some other countries. But the administration
official said the agreement was not aimed at India in any way. "We
understand Indian sensitivities on this subject," he noted.
Referring to a recent visit by senior U.S. officials to Russia, the
administration official said the reason for the visit was "to convince
Russia that upholding MTCR is the best way to prevent proliferation around
the world."
Concerning the agreements to be signed on space and energy, the official
said they herald "a new partnership that will be important to both
countries in a new era." The significance of the agreement on commercial
space exploration is that it will give Russia "access to important
commercial markets," another administration official remarked.
On oil, this official said, "What we mainly expect is a discussion on what
it will take to move forward private investment in Russia" and "to promote
efficiency and energy conservation."
On nuclear power plant safety, the official said that a discussion is
expected on what measures can be taken to reduce the danger of accidents.
"We want to identify the most serious areas of risk" and also discuss the
role of U.S. bilateral aid, he noted.
The administration officials also discussed the status of Cold War
legislation -- some 60 laws and regulations on the books designed to
restrict trade and investment with the former Soviet Union because of
security considerations. Russia has frequently asked for the repeal of
this legislation. The administration official said, "We have drafted
legislation that would essentially repeal those laws and regulations." He
explained that it is in various stages in Congress at this time.
The Russian prime minister is expected to meet with President Clinton later
September 2 soon after the conclusion of commission's meetings. Before
coming to Washington late August 31, Chernomyrdin met with representatives
of the U.S. energy and aerospace industries in Texas and Florida. He is
scheduled to leave Washington late September 2 for Moscow.
NNNN
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