What was new on START Web site?
November, 2000
November 24, 2000
Presentation of the report "Precision Guided Weapons and Strategic Balance" (by Eugene Miasnikov) was held in the National Press Institute on November 22, 2000. See the transcript (in Russian) of the press-conference and a translation of the executive summary of the report into English.Russia has urged the United States to stop testing the medium-range ballistic missile "Hera" and destroy its stocks. Moscow regards the US activities "as a direct and significant violation of the Russian-US treaty on the elimination of medium- and short-range missiles signed on December 8, 1987," according to Interfax agency. See an exclusive comment by Gennady Khromov, a member of the Soviet delegation at INF Treaty negotiations: "The Use of "Hera" Missile Violates the INF Treaty". See also:
- Washington Reanimates "Pershings", - in Russian, (by Sergei Sokut, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, November 17, 2000)
- "Hera" in the Sky, (by Roman Streshnev, Krasnaya Zvezda, November 17, 2000)
- Russia Urges US to End "Hera" Ballistic Missile Development, (People's Daily, 16 November 2000)
On November 20 the UN General Assembly approved a resolution submitted by Russia jointly with Belarus and China on the preservation of and compliance with the ABM Treaty (Official Statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 21, 2000)
President Vladimir Putin restated Tuesday Russia's support for the 1972 ABM treaty but said he was open to dialogue with the United States over its controversial plan to develop a national missile shield (No Change in Russia's Stand on NMD, but Open to Dialogue, by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 21, 2000). See also:
- Asian Reactions To U.S. Missile Defense, (Michael J. Green, Toby F. Dalton, The National Bureau of Asian Research, November 2000)
- National Missile Defense: Troubling Implications for Nonproliferation, (Steve LaMontagne, Council for a Livable World Education Fund, November 17, 2000). The Russian version of the article: Pentagon's Perverted Logic, - in Russian, (Steve LaMontagne, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 17, 2000)
The initiative of the Russian president to radically reduce strategic nuclear arsenals got considerable attention in the world:
- Putin Seeks Help From Blair On Nuclear Arms Cuts, (By Patrick Cockburn, The Independent UK, November 21, 2000)
- Russia Welcomes U.S. Response to Putin's Nuclear Proposals, (By Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 20, 2000)
- Clinton Predicts More Cuts in U.S., Russian Arsenals, (By The Associated Press, The Washington Post, November 20, 2000)
- Missiles Seen on Agenda as Putin, Blair Meet Again, (by Reuters, Russia Today, November 19, 2000)
- Seize the Moment, Ban the Bomb, (by John O. Pastore and Peter Zheutlin, Los Angeles Times, November 19, 2000)
- Bush Adviser Calls for Rethinking Nuclear Strategy Vis-a-vis Russia, (by Agence France Presse, November 17, 2000)
- Kremlin's New Peace Initiative, - in Russian, (by Mikhail Khodarenok, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 17, 2000)
- Russia's Disarmament Gambit? (Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, November 15, 2000)
- Press Briefing By Yuri Kapralov, Director Of the Russian Foreign Ministry Department For Security And Disarmament, Official Kremlin Int'l News Broadcast, November 14, 2000
The Soviet Union was far ahead of the USA in development of means for defence from space. Today, this advantage is lost ("Strategic Shield" Is Corroding, - in Russian, by Volter Kraskovski, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 17, 2000). See also our special section on the current status of the Russian Early Warning System
Russia might offer a draft treaty on immunity of space satellites to a new U.S. administration, a Russian expert says: Beginning Demilitarization of Space, - in Russian, (by Vladimir Kozin, Dip Courier, November 23, 2000)
Two military doctrines simultaneously existing in Russia entirely differ on the role of the strategic nuclear forces: Dilemma of the Russian Military Policy, - in Russian, (by Alexei Arbatov, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 17, 2000)
Commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Vyacheslav Popov reiterated the claim that the Kursk nuclear submarine was likely sunken by a Western submarine, and said that the foreign vessel emitted SOS signals shortly after the disaster:
- Admiral: Foreign Sub Collision Sank Kursk, (The Moscow Times, November 22, 2000)
- "We Heard "SOS" signal of an Alien Submarine", - in Russian, (by Valeri Alexin, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, November 21, 2000)
- Why the Barents Sea Is Shelled?, - in Russian, (Novaya Gazeta, November 20, 2000)
- Russia Sticks to Collision Theory as Kursk Disaster Probe Goes on, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 20, 2000)
An anonymous source from the 12-th Main Directorate of the military, responsible for the safety of nuclear weapons, has serious doubts about efficiency of the U.S. help in improving safety and security of the Russian nuclear weapons: Russia's Nuclear Safety 'A Sad History', (The Freelance Bureau, November 22, 2000)
On prospects of Minatom development and a conflict between Minatom and Russian Stock Company "YeES Rossii":
- About Chubais Bulb and Minister Adamov's Arguments, - in Russian, (by Vladimir Kucherenko, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 21, 2000)
- Minatom Is Under the Sight, (by Gennadi Voskresenski, Wek, N 46, November 17-24, 2000) - an interview with Yevgeni Adamov, the Minister of Nuclear Energy
The Russian State Duma postponed indefinitely Wednesday the first hearing of the bills calling for amendment of the federal legislation in favour of spent nuclear fuel imports.
- «New Environmentalists» Like Nuclear Wastes, - in Russian, (by Sergei Ivashko, Gazeta.Ru, November 22, 2000)
- Duma Postpones Hearing Of Nuclear Fuel Import Bills, (Bellona, Press Release, November 22, 2000)
- Import of a Foreign Chernobyl, - in Russian, (by Sergei Leskov, Izvestiya, November 22, 2000)
- Minatom Press-release, - in Russian, November 20, 2000.
Academician Nikolay Dollezhal' Died on November 20, 2000. He was one of the founders of the national nuclear energy and industrial complex:
- Heritage of the "Father of Reactors», - in Russian, (by Gennadi Voskresenski, Wek, N 47, November 24, 2000)
- Person of the Same Age As Nuclear Epoch, - in Russian, (by Igor Sergeyev, Moskovski Komsomolets, November 23, 2000)
- "Remember, I Am A Designer", - in Russian, (by Sergey Leskov, Izvestiya, November 22, 2000)
- Minatom Press-release, - in Russian, November 21, 2000.
At the Russian START Forum: on President Putin initiative, telemetry, violations of the INF Treaty and other issues.
November 16, 2000
In November 2000 the Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology has published a new report "Precision Guided Weapons and Strategic Balance", by Eugene Miasnikov. The report is addressed to a broad audience - political scientists, military, technical and arms control experts, diplomats and general public, interested in problems of international security. Presentation of the report will be held in the National Press Institute on November 22, 2000 at noon. To obtain the report please contact (095)-408-6381 or via e-mail: www-start@armscontrol.ru.Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia and the United States could make drastic cuts in their nuclear arsenals far beyond existing proposals. Putin said the former Cold War opponents need not stop at the 1,500-warhead limit Russia has been advocating up until now.
See also proposals on nuclear reductions, made by experts of our Center three years ago.
- What Could Be the U.S. Answer? - in Russian, (by Alexander Babkin, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 16, 2000)
- Eyeing U.S. Missile Defense, Russia Wants Less Offense, (By Patrick E. Tyler, The New York Times, November 15, 2000)
- Vladimir Putin: There Should Not Be a Pause in Nuclear Disarmament, - in Russian, (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 14, 2000) - a text of President Putin's proposals
- Putin Suggests Deeper Bilateral Weapons Cuts, (by Sharon LaFraniere, The Washington Post, Tuesday, November 14, 2000; Page A37)
- Putin Suggests Reductions of Warheads, - in Russian, (by Vladimir Skosarev, Vremya MN, November 14, 2000)
- U.S. Offers Cautious Welcome To Putin Nuclear Proposals, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 14, 2000)
- Putin Proposes Deeper Nuclear Cuts, (by Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press, Monday, November 13, 2000)
- Putin Suggested, that the Strategic Rocket Forces Would Disarm, - in Russian, (Gazeta. Ru, November 13, 2000)
Security Council of the Russian Federation is frequently associated by analysts with the place for generating official initiatives on nuclear disarmament. See about views of Sergey Ivanov, the Secretary of the Security Council, on problems of arms control:
- Sergei Ivanov: I Work On Very Big Secrets the Whole My Life, - in Russian, (by Svetlana Babayeva, Izvestiya, November 9, p. 9)
- Sergei Ivanov, Secretary of the Security Council: "We Do Not Plan Creation of "the Ministry of Truth"...", (by Nikolay Poroskov, Wek, N 44, November 3, 2000, p. 9)
General Yakovlev's statement, that it would be very difficult to reach a constructive decision about the future of the ABM agreement with the United States is presented by western press sources as a sign that Moscow is ready to modify the ABM treaty. However, a U.S. official said, "...Yakovlev's comments sound like a whole reworking of the ABM treaty and we haven't seen much from Putin that would suggest that he is to this date eager to redraft the ABM treaty,"
- Moscow Warns it Can "Respond" to Deployment of U.S. Nuclear Missile Shield, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 14, 2000)
- U.S. Skeptical on Russian Missile Chief Comments, (by Reuters, Russia Today, November 14, 2000)
- Russian Missile Chief Pessimistic about Future of Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 13, 2000)
The name of the next U.S. President is not known yet. If candidate Bush wins, the future of the ABM Treaty is gloomy: A Cold Bush for Russia, - in Russian, (by Dmitri Gornostayev, Dip Courier, November 9, 2000)
The governmental commission investigating the "Kursk" accident failed to come to any specific conclusion on the reasons of the submarine sinking at its meeting on November 8. According to Ilya Klebanov, the Chairman of the commission, the version of a collision with a foreign submarine got a "very serious confirmation" - the video taken near the "Kursk" shows a long dent on the outer hull near the front section of the submarine (presumably, Klebanov speaks about the video, shown by NTV on October, 26). However, Vice-Admiral Chernov, Ret., former commander of a submarine flotilia said in interview to "Obschaya Gazeta", that such dents may had been well created by an unsuccessful attempt to moor the submarine near a pier at Vidyayevo.
- Death of the "Kursk" Submarine: We Gradually Approach to the Truth, - in Russian, (by Roman Fomishenko, Krasnaya Zvezda, November 16, 2000) - an interview with Admiral Popov, commander of the Northern Fleet
- "Kursk". Another Note, - in Russian, (Utro.Ru, November 10, 2000)
- New Clues Emerge On Kursk's Last Hours, (by David Hoffman, The Washington Post, November 9, 2000)
- An Operation Near "Kursk" Has Ended, - in Russian, (by Valeri Alexin, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, November 9, 2000)
- "Regalia" Left, No regalia remain - in Russian, (by Yelizaveta Mayetnaya and Aleksandr Chuikov, Moskovskii Komsomolets, November 9, 2000)
- "Do Not Despair! Kolesnikov", - in Russian, (by Nikolay Cherkashin, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 9, 2000)
- Another Note Is Found On Board of "Kursk", - in Russian, (by Kirill Preobrazhenskii, Gazeta.Ru, November 9, 2000)
- Facts with no Proof, - in Russian, (by Viktor Litovkin, Obschaya Gazeta, November 9, 2000)
- Russian Official Says Evidence Points to Collision With the Sub, (by Michael Wines, The New York Times, November 9, 2000)
- Kursk accident time line, (by Igor Kudrik, Bellona Press release, November 8, 2000)
The head of Russia's armed services, Anatoly Kvashnin, said in interview to the Russian information agencies that he asked NATO states to prove their claim that none of their submarines were responsible for the "Kursk" tragedy by allowing Russian officials to inspect their underwater vessels. However, Admiral Guido Venturoni, the chairman of NATO's military committee, told reporters on 10 November that Russian General Staff chief Anatolii Kvashnin had made no explicit demands in Brussels that Russia be allowed to inspect NATO submarines within the framework of its investigation into the causes of the "Kursk" nuclear submarine disaster.
- NATO Again Rejects Submarine Inspection Request, (by RFE/RL, Russia Today, November 14, 2000)
- NATO Rules Out Russia Submarine Inspection, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 12, 2000)
- Russia - NATO Military Committee Discussed Circumstances of "Kursk" submarine accident, - in Russian, (Strana.Ru, November 10, 2000)
- Russia Asks NATO States To Prove Their Submarines Not Behind Kursk Tragedy, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, November 10, 2000)
In the recent issue of Yadernaya Bezopasnost' magazine (September - October, 2000, N 40-41)
- The Power and Honor of the Navy Sinks, (by Vladimir Maryukha)
- Minatom Experts Confirm: "Kursk" Nuclear Submarine Reactors Have Been Shut Down, There Is No Nuclear Or Radiation Danger (by Vladimir Dernovoy)
- An Environmental Payment After the Accidents (by Alexei Yablokov)
- "Kursk" Lessons (by Alexander Golts)
- Achilles' Heel of Nuclear Power Plant's (by Valentin Dombrovskii)
- Can START III Be Prepared Within a Short Time? (by Gennadi Khromov)
An independent research center ROMIR conducted a poll in July in Russia on nuclear issues. As the results show, 22,7% of the respondents assume that nuclear weapons are usable for defending national interests (Every Fifth of Russians Would Push the Nuclear Button, - in Russian, by Natalia Lydinen, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 10, 2000)
Faced with what it feels is a shaky security environment and a strong and sometimes arrogant America, Beijing has increasingly viewed the United States as an obstacle to its rise as an Asian power:
- U.S. Now a 'Threat' in China's Eyes, (by John Pomfret, The Washington Post, Wednesday, November 15, 2000; Page A01)
- NMD, TMD, and Nuclear Arms Control, (Tetsuya Umemoto, Nautilus Institute Missile Defense Initiative Special Report, November 10, 2000)
- US-China Arms Control and Nonproliferation Cooperation: Progress and Prospects, (Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies, November 8, 2000)
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said after meeting with President Vladimir Putin that he supports Russia’s plan to develop a new generation of fast neutron reactors that could run on spent nuclear fuel, including plutonium.
- Kremlin Believes in Fast Neutrons, - in Russian, (by Sergei Leskov, Izvestiya, November 13, 2000)
- Nuclear Power Plants Will Become Safe, - in Russian, (by Mikhail Kotov, Gazeta.Ru, November 13, 2000)
- IAEA Backs Controversial Neutron Reactor Plan, (Ana Uzelac, The Moscow Times, November 11, 2000)
- Yevgeni Adamov Advertised Russian Reactors, (by Pyotr Netreba, Kommersant, November 10, 2000)
A conflict flares up between Minatom and RAO YeES on the concept of restructuring the energy sector:
- Nuclear Uprising. Yevgeni Adamov Demands Nationalization of Energy Sector, - in Russian, (by Mikhail Kozyrev and Yelizaveta Osetinskaya, Vedomosti, November 14, 2000)
- Nuclear Division: Should We Wait For A Chain Reaction?, - in Russian, (by Oleg Lar'ko and Alexander Rubtsov, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 9, 2000)
The most powerful nuclear explosion (more than 50 Mt TNT) was conduced on October 30, 1961 - almost thirty years ago (Khrushchev Did Not Agree to Make an "Armageddon", - in Russian, by Nikolay Cherkashin, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 10, 2000)
November 7, 2000
News from the First Committee of the UN General Assembly:
- The discussion on preventing arms race in space is over. At the end of the consideration the resolution was adopted with 154 countries voting in favour and the United States and Israel abstaining (Official Statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 2, 2000)
- A vote was held on a draft resolution on the preservation and observance of the ABM Treaty. The resolution, submitted by Russia jointly with Belarus and China, was supported by 79 member-countries of the UN. Only three countries - the United States, Israel and Micronesia - voted against (Official Statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 2, 2000).
- The discussion of a draft resolution on nuclear disarmament is over. At the end of the consideration the resolution was adopted, with 99 countries voting in favor, 39 against and 17 countries, including Russia, abstaining. (Official Statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, November 2, 2000)
Role of confidence building measures in transforming U,S.-Russian nuclear deterrence relationship: A House On the Sand, - in Russian, (by Sergei Brezkun, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, November 3, 2000)
In the September's issue of Obozrevatel'-Observer:
- Is ABM Treaty Going to Survive?, - in Russian, (by Lieutenant-General M. Naumenko, Ret., Doctor of Military Sciences)
- Strategic Nuclear Forces After the START II Treaty, - in Russian, (by Lieutenant-General L. Volkov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences)
Tests of the newest "Volga" early warning radar at Baranovichi (Belarus) are finished. The radar is going to become a constituent part of the Russian early warning system: "Volga" Will Block A Path to Missiles, - in Russian, (by Denis Voroshilov, Rossiya, November 1, 2000)
As news come from divers investigating the "Kursk" accident area, analysts continue discussing possible reasons for the submarine sinking:
- One...Or Two? A Version Of K-141 Death, - in Russian, (by Sergei Bazarov, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, November 4, 2000)
- Warship Blamed for Kursk Sinking, (By Yevgenia Borisova, The Moscow Times, November 4, 2000)
- Were There Words In the Note: "We Had Been Killed"?, - in Russian, (Novaya Gazeta, November 2, 2000)
- Lessons of the Kursk, (by Vladimir Kozin,The Moscow Times, November 2, 2000)
- A Sensation During an Operation At the Nuclear Powered Vessel "Kursk", - in Russian, (by Valeri Alexin, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 31, 2000)
- The Truth Is Needed For Those Who Are Alive, - in Russian, (by Alexander Golts, Itogi, No. 44, October 30, 2000)
- "Kursk" Submarine: The Regime Had Not Told the Truth, - in Russian, (by Vladimir Voronov, Deadline.ru, October 30, 2000)
- Reasons For "Kursk" Sinking Were Probably Established, - in Russian, (by Mikhail Khodarenok, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 28, 2000)
- Evidence Points to Massive Fire on Kursk, (by David Hoffman, The Washington Post, October 28, 2000)
In the November's issue of Arms Control Today:
- Preparing for the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review, (by Janne E. Nolan)
- Defense Bill Bars Unilateral Nuclear Reductions, Orders Posture Review, (by Philipp C. Bleek)
The Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy announced that a series of subcritical nuclear tests were conducted last week at Novaya Zemlya test range: Nuclear Weapons Tests, (by The Associated Press, The Moscow Times, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000).
"...One event, which in fairness should be acknowledged as a turning point in the history of Russian democracy, happened in our country. However, by a strange whim, the current regime, that usually does not loose an opportunity to advertise itself in a devotion to democratic values, did not express any exultation at all this time. Though, it seems, it should have been...", (A Burial Ground "Russia", - in Russian, by Sergei Ivanov, Sovetskaya Rossiya, November 2, 2000)
At the Russian START Forum: on non-acoustic means of submarine detection.
What Was New?
In 2000: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October
In 1999: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
In 1998: January | February | March | April | May | June | July-September | October | November | December
In 1997: November | December
Search the START Web Site
© Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies at MIPT, 1999