27 September 1999
Text: U.S. Energy Secretary to Visit Formerly Closed Russian Cities
(Richardson trip to review nonproliferation programs Sept. 28-Oct. 2) (720) U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson will visit Russia September 28 to October 2 to review various nuclear nonproliferation programs underway in several cities formerly closed to outsiders. A September 24 press release from the Department said Richardson's trip will include stops in Dmitrovgrad to see a new method for disposing of plutonium from dismantled nuclear weapons, in Murmansk to inspect a joint U.S.-Russian project for securing nuclear materials, and in Sarov where he will dedicate a computing center that offers high-technology job opportunities for Russian scientists as they transition away from nuclear weapons work. The Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy and the Russian Navy invited the U.S. energy secretary to come, according to the release. Richardson said the invitation to visit some of the world's most sensitive nuclear weapons-related sites "is a clear indication that Russia is resolved to work with the West to ensure that the world is safe from nuclear espionage and theft," adding that "it is vital that we continue to build on our joint accomplishments to secure nuclear materials and safely dispose of excess plutonium no longer needed for nuclear weapons." Following is the text of the release: (begin text) U.S. Department of Energy Washington, D.C. September 24, 1999 ENERGY SECRETARY TO VISIT CLOSED RUSSIAN CITIES, INSPECT PLUTONIUM DISPOSITION, MATERIAL SAFEGUARDS AND NAVAL STORAGE SITES Reorienting Russian Nuclear Scientists to Civilian Work a Top Priority Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson will be in Russia September 28 to October 2 to review a number of joint U.S./Russian nuclear nonproliferation programs. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union amassed vast stockpiles of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, the essential materials for nuclear weapons. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which maintains the nuclear weapons stockpile for the defense of the United States, is working with Russia and other independent states of the Former Soviet Union to prevent nuclear material and nuclear weapons knowledge from being diverted to rogue nations and terrorists. While in Russia, Secretary Richardson will inspect U.S./Russian programs to secure nuclear weapons material, review a new Russian method for disposing of plutonium taken from dismantled nuclear weapons, dedicate an "open computing center" that offers high-technology job opportunities for Russian nuclear scientists as they transition away from nuclear weapons work, and open the Ministry of Atomic Energy's "Situation Crisis Center," which will allow U.S. and Russian officials to communicate by voice and video in emergency situations. The Secretary will also meet with Minister of Fuel and Energy Kalyuzhny to promote trade and investment, engage in energy efficiency work, and assist in helping the coal sector. Secretary Richardson co-chairs the Energy Policy Committee of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation. The Department of Energy has been working with the Russian government on these issues since 1993. "This invitation to visit some of the world's most sensitive nuclear weapons-related sites is a clear indication that Russia is resolved to work with the West to ensure that the world is safe from nuclear espionage and theft," said Secretary of Energy Richardson. "It is vital that we continue to build on our joint accomplishments to secure nuclear materials and safely dispose of excess plutonium no longer needed for nuclear weapons." Secretary Richardson will visit Russia at the invitation of Russia's Ministry of Atomic Energy (MinAtom) and the Russian Navy. Secretary Richardson will review Russian plutonium disposition activities in Dmitrovgrad; inspect Russian naval fuel storage and Department of Energy (DOE) work securing nuclear materials under the joint Material Protection, Control and Accounting program in Murmansk; travel to the closed and formerly secret nuclear city of Sarov to dedicate, with Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov, its first open computing center, which was developed under the auspices of the Nuclear Cities Initiative; and open the MinAtom Situation Crisis Center, which establishes a groundbreaking video link between the U.S. and Moscow. In Moscow, Secretary Richardson will also address a reception to mark the first oil production from the recently inaugurated Vityaz Production Complex, Sakhalin Island; this event is sponsored by the Administration of Sakhalin Oblast, Ministry of Fuel and Energy and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (end text)
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