 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
5/21/12 |
 |
||||||||
|
 |
Home / Projects / WMD Expertise Redirection Project |
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
ANNOUNCEMENT RANSAC INITIATES RUSSIAN NUCLEAR COMPLEX CONVERSION CONSORTIUM The Russian American Nuclear Security AdvisoryCouncil (RANSAC) has initiated an effort to organize international non-governmentalentities into a formal consortium that seeks to develop and implement projectideas that can create peaceful, alternative employment opportunities forthe scientists in the closed cities of the Russian nuclear weapon complex. Membership in the consortium is open to international non-governmentalpolicy organizations, businesses and industries, and educational institutionsthat have a demonstrated interest in addressing the global nuclear danger. A list of current members of the consortium is attached to this announcement. RANSAC, in its recent report, Transforming theRussian Nuclear Weapons Complex: The Role of Non-Governmental Institutions,has identified over twenty substantive ideas and projects that could beinitiated by the non-governmental community to help Russia�s nuclear weaponscientists redirect their activities. The proposed projects of theconsortium are organized under three broad areas of activity: businessand economic development; energy and environment; and non-proliferationand arms control. But, the consortium encourages the developmentof new ideas and categories of activity by its members. Many of theproject ideas listed in the RANSAC report were viewed with interest bya broad range of international institutions and officials. The consortiumconcept has been endorsed by the U.S. and Russian governments and Europeanofficials. The activities of the consortium are designed to complementexisting official activities. Some organizations have already moved forwardwith actions recommended in the RANSAC report, and these projects havebeen funded by U.S. philanthropic foundations and the U.S. government. The remaining recommended projects, or other relevant activities, stillneed to be developed and implemented by non-governmental organizations. Such concrete actions will certainly provide useful assistance in redirectingRussia�s nuclear weapon expertise into technical activities that have industrialapplications or that solve �real world� energy, environmental and securityproblems. Demonstrated economic progress in these areas can facilitatethe much-needed process of downsizing the Russian nuclear weapons complex. RANSAC�s coordinator for the consortium is RaphaelDella Ratta. For further information about the consortium pleasecontact Mr. Della Ratta by phone at 202-332-1412 or by e-mail at rdellaratta@216.119.87.134. September, 2000 RANSAC Nuclear Complex Conversion Consortium Members Centerfor International Trade and Security, University of Georgia Contact: Igor KhripunovThe Center for International Trade andSecurity seeks to address international security challenges through policy-relevantresearch and outreach. Many of the Center's projects focus on securityproblems and opportunities related to technology trade. The Center recognizesthat technology and commerce in technology are central to national prosperityand international development, but that technology trade also poses securityrisks that must be managed. Over the past decade, the Center has emergedas a leader in providing policy research on export controls and weaponsproliferation. Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions Contact: Jim JackmanBoasts extensive experience in spentfuel shipping and management, wet and dry spent fuel storage, waste characterization,and decommissioning. Westinghouse Savannah River has established a telemedicineand training program through the University of South Carolina system andthe University of Georgia medical community. The Nuclear Cities InitiativeWorking Group�s October meeting is scheduled to be held at Savannah RiverSite. Westinghouse officials, in contacting the Consortium, asserted thatindustry representatives with �real hands-on experience� have been missingin the non-governmental effort, and want to participate. MontereyInstitute for International Studies, Center for Nonproliferation Studies Contact: Clay MoltzThe Center for Nonproliferation Studies(CNS) began sponsoring visiting fellowships from Chelyabinsk-70 scientistsin 1998. The Center has ongoing ties with Arzamas-16 and Chelyabinsk-70officials. CNS runs training programs for Russian experts that includean eight-week English language and Nonproliferation Program and a four-monthvisiting fellows program. CNS is interested in helping create nonproliferationNGOs made up of weapons scientists, using the new regional business centers.CNS is also leading a new initiative on Russian Nuclear Regionalism, whichwill focus on the local context and impacts of downsizing the Russian weaponscomplex. MoscowInstitute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) Contact: Anatoli DiakovThe MacArthur Foundation has approveda three-year grant for the MIPT business school to train the next generationof managers. Diakov�s proposal was originally focused on the nuclear cities,however the Moscow office of the MacArthur Foundation reviewed the proposaland suggested to expand and focus on the regions of Russia. MIPT is well-positionedfor this work because, according to Diakov, it has a unique system of selectionof young talented people and about 60% of the students come from the regions. Technical Research Corporation/TechnicalResearch Institute (TRC/TRI) Contact: Bill SchneiderTRC/TRI was founded in 1987 to accomplishbasic research utilizing the efforts of Russian and CIS scientists. This program, underway for 5 years has successfully introduced to the UScivilian market the results of basic research in mathematics, physics andchemistry. TRC/TRI have worked successfully with ROSVOORUZHENIYE, directlywith Institutes and directly with Moscow State University. Publicationsinclude one book, "Soviet Ground Forces"; NATO Nuclear StandardizationAgreement on Balanced Hardening and Quadripartite Standardization Agreementon Balanced Hardening. Technology and Systems Inc. Contact: Dr. Robert SummersDr. Summers led the Arms Control andDisarmament Agency�s Defense Conversion Division from 1992-1995. In thattime, he organized five Entrepreneurial Workshops for Russian nuclear weaponsscientists. These workshops had the direct support of then-MINATOM MinisterMikhailov. His current business, Technology and Systems Inc., focuses oninternational technology development and commercialization. Technical Management Company Contact: Ed MerewetherTMS has served as an integrated contractmanager for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Based in Albuquerque,NM, TMS has offices throughout the former Soviet Union, and can offer stronglogistical support to the Consortium. |
|
|
|
© 2007 Partnership for Global Security. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement.