2/6/12 Home / Projects & Publications / News www PGS Printer Friendly Page   NEWS RELEASE U.S.-Russian Experts Applaud Senate's Decision to Fund Nuclear Security, Urge House-Senate Conference Support FOR RELEASE: December 11, 2001; CONTACT: Ken Luongo or Bill Hoehn, (202) 332-1412 (Washington, DC) - Members of the Russian-American Nuclear Security Advisory Council (RANSAC), a leading think-tank dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Russian nuclear nonproliferation engagement, today commended the United States Senate for its decision to provide $226 million in emergency supplemental funding for nonproliferation and nuclear security programs in Russia and the former Soviet Union. The funds are included in the $20 billion supplemental allocation attached to the $317 billion defense appropriations bill. RANSAC also applauded the Senate for fully funding the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction budget. RANSAC's Executive Director, Ken Luongo, declared that "the Senate has demonstrated political wisdom and courage in supporting this additional funding. Improving the security of nuclear weapons, material, and facilities is essential for international security." Noting that the Senate initiated the Nunn-Lugar program to address the security of weapons of mass destruction in Russia and the former Soviet Union, Luongo said, "once again, the Senate has taken the initiative to accelerate efforts to keep 'loose nukes' out of terrorists' hands." RANSAC urged the House to accept the Senate funding for these activities. RANSAC thanked Senators Daschle, Byrd, Stevens, Reid, Inouye, Domenici, and Lugar for their leadership to ensure that programs to protect weapons of mass destruction from theft, loss, or diversion remain a high priority in the battle against terrorism. The $226 million will support R&D on weapons of mass destruction detection systems, efforts to more rapidly secure weapons-usable nuclear materials in Russia, programs to assist downsizing and peaceful redevelopment of the Russian nuclear weapons complex, and activities to increase security and safety at civilian nuclear power facilities in Russia and other former Soviet states. The House of Representatives' proposal for allocating the $20 billion supplemental, which does not include funds for accelerated U.S.-Russian nuclear security efforts, is also attached to its version of the defense appropriations bill. Both measures will be reconciled in a House-Senate conference meeting expected to begin this week. The Russian-American Nuclear Security Advisory Council consists of Russian and American experts who have been involved closely in U.S.-Russian cooperative nuclear security programs both inside and outside of government for the past decade.

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