DATE= 10/2/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-220741
TITLE=CONGRESS / RUSSIA NUKES (L-O)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A RUSSIAN SCIENTIST HAS TOLD THE U-S CONGRESS THE SOVIET
GOVERNMENT SECRETLY BUILT AND MAINTAINED AN ARSENAL OF TERRORIST
NUCLEAR WEAPONS. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.
TEXT: THE FATE OF THESE SUITCASE-SIZED BOMBS IS THE SUBJECT OF
GROWING CONCERN IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE. THE CONTROVERSY BEGAN
WHEN FORMER RUSSIAN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ALEXANDER LEBED
SAID MORE THAN 80 OF THEM ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.
ANOTHER ONETIME PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER, ALEXEI YABLOKOV, HAS NOW
TESTIFIED THEY WERE BUILT IN THE 1970'S, NOT BY THE SOVIET
MILITARY BUT INSTEAD BY THE OLD K-G-B (SECURITY SERVICE).
// YABLOKOV ACT //
FOR WHAT? FOR TERRORISTIC AIMS. EXACTLY -- ONLY FOR
TERRORISM. IT WAS (THE) COLD WAR. IT WAS MAYBE THE
MIDDLE OF THE COLD WAR. AND THEY TRIED TO FIGHT THIS
CAPITALISM, THEY TRIED TO KILL CAPITALISM THROUGH THESE
UNUSUAL WEAPONS.
// END ACT //
RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE REPEATEDLY DENIED THE DEVICES EVER
EXISTED. MR. YABLOKOV SAYS THEY WERE SIMPLY NOT INCLUDED ON
OFFICIAL LISTS OF SOVIET NUCLEAR WEAPONS. HE ADDS, THE BOMBS MAY
NOT HAVE SURVIVED TO THE PRESENT DAY BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO
REPLACE THEIR NUCLEAR MATERIAL.
BUT U-S OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WORRY ABOUT THE
SECURITY OF MANY RUSSIAN WEAPONS AND THE DANGER THAT NUCLEAR
MATERIALS MAY FALL INTO THE HANDS OF MOBSTERS OR TERRORISTS.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR (OF INDIANA) SAYS WASHINGTON HAS
GOOD REASON TO KEEP ON HELPING RUSSIA DISMANTLE ITS COLD WAR
ARSENAL.
// LUGAR ACT //
THIS IS NOT FOREIGN AID. THIS IS NOT A CHARITABLE
CONTRIBUTION. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT WERE AIMED
AT US, AND STILL ARE.
// END ACT //
OTHER LAWMAKERS SAY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT COOPERATING
IN THE EFFORT AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD. GENERAL LEBED IS EXPECTED TO
GIVE THEM HIS VIEWS IN PERSON LATER THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/RRM
02-Oct-97 2:06 PM EDT (1806 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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