DATE= 10/31/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-221993
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHEMICAL WEAPONS (L)
BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE LOWER HOUSE OF RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENT, THE DUMA, HAS
RATIFIED A GLOBAL BAN ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN A SURPRISING SHOW OF
SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S POSITION ON THE ISSUE.
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.
TEXT: THE DUMA HAD BEEN CONSIDERED THE MAIN OBSTACLE BLOCKING
RUSSIA FROM JOINING THE AGREEMENT. BUT LAWMAKERS FRIDAY VOTED
288 TO 75 IN FAVOR OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY, WHICH WENT
INTO EFFECT LAST APRIL.
THE ARMED FORCES CHIEF OF STAFF, ANATOLY KVASHNIN, TOLD MEMBERS
OF PARLIAMENT THEY HAD NO TIME TO WASTE.
/// KVASHNIN ACT - RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
GENERAL KVASHNIN SAYS THAT WITHOUT DRAMATIZING THE SITUATION, WE
CAN SAY THAT LITTLE TIME IS LEFT BEFORE THESE WEAPONS START
LEAKING. HE SAYS RUSSIA CANNOT KEEP ITS CHEMICAL WEAPONS SAFE
INDEFINITELY.
FIRST DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID JOINING THE
CONVENTION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE RUSSIA WILL BE ABLE TO CHECK
WHETHER OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, FULFILL
PLEDGES TO GET RID OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
SIGNATORIES HAVE TO DESTROY WEAPONS AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES
DURING THE NEXT DECADE AND PROVIDE DETAILED REPORTS ABOUT THE
EXPORT OF CHEMICALS USED TO MAKE SUCH WEAPONS.
IN RUSSIA, THERE STILL ARE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WILL COST
TO DISMANTLE THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS STOCKPILE. RUSSIAN PRIME
MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN ASSURED PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK THE
GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE MORE MONEY FOR THE PROJECT. BUT RUSSIAN
OFFICIALS HAVE MADE CLEAR THEY WILL RELY ON FOREIGN AID TO COVER
MUCH OF THE COST. (SIGNED)
NEB/MLK/JWH/RRM
31-Oct-97 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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