US-Russia
Nuclear Security Cooperation:
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The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the
subsequent collapse of the Russian economic, political and social
system raised concerns primarily in the US government and nonproliferation
community regarding the future of many tens of thousands of Russian
scientists working in the former Soviet Unions' research institutes
and laboratories developing weapons of mass destruction. Many
had lost their government-supported jobs or suffered deep pay
cuts. US-Russia nuclear cooperation programs in this area aim
prevent 'brain-drain' to third countries of scientists and technicians
with expertise in developing and manufacturing nuclear weapons.
The overarching objectives of two of the US-Russia nuclear cooperation
programs are to find alternative jobs for laid-off nuclear weapons
scientists and to reduce the huge nuclear weapons complex by closing
down nuclear facilities and eliminate excess weapons production
capacity.
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Science Center Program administered through the US Department of State |
A. Background and description of program
The Science Center Program is a 1992 multilateral initiative mainly funded by the US, the EU and Japan, with the aim to provide former Soviet weapons scientists opportunities to work on peaceful civilian research activities. The program founded the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow and a similar center in Ukraine in 1995, the Science and Technology Center of Ukraine (STCU). Interested scientists and institutes from NIS states can submit project proposals for approval by a governing board. The ISTC had through October 2001 funded some 1,434 projects valued at $388 million, providing grant payments to over 30 000 individuals. Among the centers' stated main focuses are environmental protection, energy production, and nuclear safety, and the leading recipients of grants are the Russian nuclear weapons laboratories. In the nuclear energy area research include projects related to plutonium reprocessing and plutonium breeding reactors.
Through March 2001, the US contributed $104.9 million to the ISTC. The US provides around 45% of the funding for the ISTC. While funding came initially through the Department of Defense's CTR program, the funding responsibility shifted to the Department of State under the FREEDOM Support Act in 1996. The Science Center Program was one of four nuclear security cooperation programs that the Bush Administration in December 2001 identified for expansion.
B. US government reports
C. Other Resources
Russian Transition Initiative (RTI) administered through the US Department of Energy |
B. US government reports
C. Other Resources