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22 September 2003

U.S. Reaffirms Support for Nuclear Weapons Conversion Projects in Russia

Abraham also announces funding for new medical imaging project

U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has announced funding for a new medical imaging project in Russia and has reaffirmed U.S. support for continuation of existing nuclear weapon facility conversion projects to completion, even though the Nuclear Cities Initiative (NCI) of which they are a part expires on September 22.

According to a September 19 press release, Abraham told a Joint Steering Committee Meeting in Moscow that funding for the new project -- calling for creation of a $9 million medical imaging center for cancer diagnostics in the closed Russian city of Snezhinsk -- demonstrates his commitment to the long-term objectives of the Nuclear Cities Initiative. NCI, a component of the Department of Energy's nonproliferation program, transforms former Russian nuclear weapons facilities to commercial non-defense uses.

In July 2003, Abraham informed Russia that the United States would not be able to renew the NCI agreement until the Russian government approves legal provisions intended to provide broad liability protection of American workers and companies working on projects in Russia. However, he also said that existing projects would be fully implemented.

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Energy
September 19, 2003

SECRETARY ABRAHAM EXTENDS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE DEFENSE CONVERSION PROJECTS IN RUSSIAN CLOSED CITIES - ANNOUNCES U.S. FUNDING FOR NEW MEDICAL IMAGING PROJECT

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - In a Joint Steering Committee Meeting in Moscow, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham reaffirmed his support to continue existing projects through to completion even though the government-to-government agreement that created the Nuclear Cities Initiative (NCI) program expires on September 22, 2003. The Nuclear Cities Initiative, a component of the Department of Energy's nonproliferation program, transforms former Russian nuclear weapons facilities to commercial, non-defense uses.

To demonstrate his commitment to the long-term objectives of the program, Secretary Abraham announced funding for a new project under the NCI program, the creation of a $9 million medical imaging center that will provide capability for cancer diagnostics in the closed Russian city of Snezhinsk.

"I am proud of NCI's accomplishments and recognize that it serves a vital nonproliferation goal by assisting in the transition of Russian nuclear scientists and engineers to non-defense, commercial efforts," Secretary Abraham told representatives of the closed nuclear cites and Russian government officials.

In July 2003, Secretary Abraham informed Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexandr Rumyantsev that the United States would not be able to renew the NCI agreement until the Russian government approves legal provisions intended to provide the broad liability protection of American workers and companies working on projects in Russia. However, he informed the Minister that existing projects would be fully implemented.

Over its 5-year tenure, the Nuclear Cities Initiative has formed lasting partnerships and enjoyed tangible successes. Foremost among them is a joint partnership with Sarov on the development of an award winning road repair vehicle and the establishment of a new company with over $1.5 million in outstanding sales. Another partnership is with the city of Zheleznogorsk where work moves toward completion of a workforce-restructuring plan that will create jobs for up to 6,000 displaced weapons workers and scientists.

At the same meeting, Secretary Abraham and Minister Rumyantsev also witnessed the signing of a protocol between Paul Longsworth, Deputy Administrator of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation of the National Nuclear Security Administration and Igor Borvkov, First Deputy Minister of Minatom. The protocol developed a set of recommendations so that existing projects can continue under a provision in the expiring agreement.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)