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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


December 2004 Russia Special Weapons News


  • Iran, Russia to finalize Zohreh satellite contract IRNA 29 Dec 2004 -- Iran and Russia is to finalize an agreement for the construction of the Zohreh satellite for Iran.
  • PROLIFERATION: RUSSIA VOA 29 Dec 2004 -- The security of nuclear material has long been an issue of concern in Russia and other former Soviet republics. For ten years the United States has funded a program dealing with the problem, and experts say progress is being made. Nonetheless the potential proliferation of some kinds of "loose nukes" remains a serious concern
  • Russia reaffirms continued nuclear cooperation with Iran IRNA 27 Dec 2004 -- Head of the Russian Federation`s Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev said here Monday that his country will continue cooperating with Iran on its peaceful nuclear program without any worries.
  • Putin's trip to Iran a turning point in Tehran-Moscow relations IRNA 27 Dec 2004 -- Russian Federation Council Chairman (Upper House of Russian Parliament) said here Monday that the trip by the Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2005 will be turning point Tehran-Moscow relations.
  • Iran, Russia to continue cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy IRNA 24 Dec 2004 -- Russian First Deputy Chairman of State Duma said here Friday that Moscow attaches importance to ties with Iran as a strong nation in the region and is keen to bolster bilateral relations in all areas in 2005.
  • Russia to continue building nuclear powerplants in Iran IRNA 24 Dec 2004 -- Head of Russian Atomic Energy Agency said here Friday that Moscow will complete the first phase of the Bushehr nuclear powerplant in 2005.
  • Japan Demands Russia Return All Disputed Islands RFE/RL 24 Dec 2004 -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi today reiterated that Russia must return all four disputed Pacific islands seized in 1945 at the end of World War II.
  • Highly Enriched Uranium Repatriated from Czech Republic to Russia Washington File 23 Dec 2004 -- U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced December 22 that six kilograms of highly enriched uranium (HEU) that could be used for nuclear weapons have been safely returned to the Russian Federation from the Czech Republic.
  • PUTIN SPEECH VOA 23 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the United States remains a key partner and praised US President George Bush. But, the Russian leader also said he would like to know whether the United States is intentionally seeking to isolate Russia. The Bush administration so far has no comment on Putin's speech.
  • Putin Concerned West Trying To 'Isolate' Russia RFE/RL 23 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today raised the possibility that the West, and the U.S. in particular, is trying to "isolate" Russia by interfering in Moscow's relations with its neighbors.
  • Putin Defends Reforms, Condemns 'Revolutions' RFE/RL 23 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today used his annual Kremlin press conference to address many of the issues that made headlines in Russia and abroad in 2004.
  • Russia voices readiness to build 7 nuclear power plants in Iran IRNA 18 Dec 2004 -- Head of the Russian Federation`s Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev said on Saturday that Russia may construct seven other nuclear power plants in Iran.
  • Lavrov: Russia supports expansion of Iran`s peaceful nuclear activities IRNA 17 Dec 2004 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here on Thursday his country was ready to build new nuclear power plants for Iran.
  • Russia: Moscow Seeks Changes In Monitoring On Russian-Georgian Border RFE/RL 17 Dec 2004 -- A challenge by Russia has led to a crisis at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Russia said it might veto next year's budget unless other members agree to modify the OSCE's monitoring operation on the Russian-Georgian border.
  • EP deplores Russian decision to develop new nuclear arms IRNA 15 Dec 2004 -- The European Parliament Wednesday regretted the lack of substantial progress at the EU-Russia Summit held at the Hague in November on creating common areas of freedom, security and justice, external security and education and culture
  • U.S., Russia to Discuss Satellite Navigation System Cooperation Washington File 14 Dec 2004 -- The United States and the Russian Federation intend to begin preliminary discussions on an agreement for cooperation between the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).
  • Moscow to continue peaceful nuclear cooperation with Iran IRNA 14 Dec 2004 -- Head of Russian Atomic Energy Agency pledged here Tuesday that his country will continue with peaceful nuclear cooperation with Iran in 2005.
  • Russia/China: Beijing Announces Joint Military Exercises With Russia RFE/RL 14 Dec 2004 -- The government in Beijing says China and Russia will hold their first-ever joint military exercises in 2005. Moscow has long been the major arms supplier to its massive eastern neighbor. The announcement could signal that the former Cold War rivals are now seeking closer ties in order to act as a counterbalance to U.S. dominance. But one military analyst says the exercises will be more show than substance.
  • Tehran expects Russia to built its next nuclear power plant: Mironov IRNA 13 Dec 2004 -- "Tehran expects that we will build the next nuclear power plant in Iran," Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov said on the results of his official visit to Iran.
  • Russia welcomes Iran`s nuclear progress: official IRNA 12 Dec 2004 -- Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, Sergei Mironov, reiterated here Sunday his country`s position in acknowledging Iran`s right to peaceful nuclear technology.
  • RUSSIA / WAR ANNIVERSARY VOA 11 Dec 2004 -- Ten years ago today (Saturday), three armored columns, carrying thousands of Russian troops and weapons, roared into the southern region of Chechnya, attempting to crush a bid for independence. The first war in Chechnya ushered in a new era in post-Soviet Russia.
  • Analysis: Look Back In Anger -- Ten Years Of War In Chechnya RFE/RL 11 Dec 2004 -- Analysis: Look Back In Anger -- Ten Years Of War In Chechnya
  • RUSSIA/UKRAINE/EU VOA 10 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia would not object to Ukraine joining the European Union. He says it would help the Russian economy to closer integrate into the EU. The Russian leader's comments follow weeks of heated rhetoric between Russia and the European Union over Ukraine's disputed presidential election.
  • World: Putin Aide Stresses East-West Cooperation On Terrorism RFE/RL 10 Dec 2004 -- An aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin says he's confident that recent aggravations in relations between Moscow and the West can be overcome.
  • Chechnya: Ten Years After -- The Logic Behind The First Chechen War RFE/RL 10 Dec 2004 -- On 11 December 1994, Russian troops entered Chechnya. Officially, their mission was to restore Moscow's authority over the secessionist republic. The Russian defense minister at the time, Pavel Grachev, assured then President Boris Yeltsin that the Chechen capital Grozny could be seized in two hours by a regiment of paratroopers. Ten years and two military campaigns later, the war rages on, with no end in sight.
  • Russia, U.S. Discuss Antiterror Cooperation RFE/RL 10 Dec 2004 -- An aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin says he's confident that recent aggravations in relations between Moscow and the West can be overcome.
  • TURKEY / RUSSIA VOA 06 Dec 2004 -- During a visit to Turkey, Russian President Vladimr Putin warned western countries against fomenting divisions in Ukraine and other countries, describing such attempts as counterproductive and destabilizing.
  • Russia, India set to expand military cooperation IRNA 04 Dec 2004 -- Russia and India intend to expand cooperation in military hardware predominantly in the aircraft and arms systems of the fifth generation.
  • Russia, India agree on military interaction in Central Asia IRNA 04 Dec 2004 -- A Russian military delegation source in the Indian capital told Itar-Tass on Saturday that Russia and India had agreed on the possibility of military interaction in Central Asia, including Tajikistan.
  • INDIA/PUTIN VOA 03 Dec 2004 -- At the start of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi, India and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to a strong relationship. The countries say they will give new momentum to their long-term friendship by expanding military and business ties.
  • Putin Criticizes Ukrainian Push For New Vote RFE/RL 02 Nov 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today criticized the Ukrainian opposition's push to repeat that country's disputed presidential election.
  • INDIA/PUTIN SCENESETTER VOA 02 Dec 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India for a three-day visit Friday to consolidate a historically strong friendship. The two countries announced plans to jointly develop high-technology military hardware.
  • Bush Waives Conditions on Russian Weapons Destruction Facility Washington File 01 Dec 2004 -- President Bush has issued a waiver that frees up funding for a Russian facility to destroy chemical weapons.



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