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What was new on START Web site?


October, 2001

October 16, 2001

October 11, President Bush offered Russia a leading role in the new world order rising from the World Trade Centre ashes, including a hint that Moscow can share in Washington’s missile defence technology:

"...Today's Russian position [over the 1972 ABM Treaty - E.M.]... is an OPTIMAL one for the current situation. It's fairly respectful regarding George W. Bush's striving to "register" something significant while at the helm of the superpower. It's rather conservative as well, and sound conservatism is a very valuable asset on international scene today. Finally, it's very well founded and understandable to other countries, including the US. Washington should certainly understand Russian reasoning, but only if they WANT to understand them..." (A Moment for Truth is Yet to Come, - in Russian, by Sergey Kazennov, Vladimir Kumachev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 3, 2001). See also: Overcoming the Deadlock, - in Russian, (by Sergey Kreidin, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, October 5, 2001).

See also two new sections now available in English:

The October issue of Arms Control Today includes:

American experts suggest that the Bush administration significantly broadens the framework of US-Russian threat reduction cooperation:

Commenting US military operation in Afghanistan, experts discuss the option of using nuclear weapons:

Valentin Rog keeps on his polemics with Sergey Brezkun on the advisable structure of Strategic nuclear forces. He stresses that the because of its universality and maneuverability, Air Force can fulfil the deterrence task in the best way: Reference Point - Nuclear Deterrence, - in Russian, (by Valentin Rog, Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, October 12, 2001)

"Kosmotras" joint venture that was established six years ago to alter RS-20 (SS-18 Satan) ICBM into "Dnepr" space launch vehicle, lunched only two satellites. However, recently new launch contract reports appear nearly every week: Future of the "Satan", - in Russian, (Ukrainskaya Pravda, October 13, 2001)

"...While converting the defense industry, we have to remember our state's defense doctrine. It clearly says that arms industry has to be replenished by new technologies and new methods. I do not call to arms race. But as soon as we face such a phenomenon as terrorism, I urge our physicists to think first of all on what kind of weapons do we need to solve these problems..." (Minatom Ready To Stand Up Against Terrorism, - in Russian, by Gennady Vaganov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 3, 2001) - an interview with Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian Federation Minister of Atomic Energy

Minister of Atomic Energy stated that the industry has not received any contracts on reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from abroad. He also noted that negotiations with the US on plutonium disposition are now paused:

October 2, 2001
Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgy Mamedov met with US Under Secretary of State John Bolton on September 29, 2001. At the meeting an agreement was achieved in principle on holding the next session of the Standing Consultative Commission, set up for implementation of the ABM Treaty of 1972: Russian MFA Press Release, September 29, 2001.

A regular round of experts' consultations between Russia and China took place in Moscow on September 26-28. Considered was the situation developing around the 1972 ABM Treaty: Russian MFA Press Release, September 28, 2001.

The US House of Representatives approved a $344 billion defense spending bill that shifts some missile defense funds into anti-terrorism programs: House Passes $344 Billion Military Spending Bill, (by John Whitesides, Reuters, Tuesday September 25, 9:56 PM ET).

"...Using the "need" for NMD for defense against some uncertain nuclear rogue states in the future, the US pursue a completely different goal that they attach great importance to: by means of financing capital-intensive NMD, to finance in fact development of a space-based information layer and ground infrastructure that will be used in the interests of both missile defenses and noncontact warfare..." (US Needs Antimissile Shield as Fish Needs a Bicylce, - in Russian, by V. Slipchenko, Obozrevatel-Observer, September 2001). See also our new feature page: How Should Russia Respond to the Impending US NMD Deployment? (in Russian)

Some of the key facilities being planned to be built in Alaska by 2004 — particularly the silos at Fort Greely—would have no utility in a testing program but rather appear designed specifically as a near-term deployment of a rudimentary missile defense system. As such, these facilities would violate the 1972 ABM Treaty, Lisbeth Gronlund and David Wright of Union of Concerned Scientists argue:

The September issue of Arms Control Today includes:

"...This is the first time since Dec. 7, 1941, in which the United States and Russia have in fact had potentially a common enemy, which allows us to band together and overlook those things that divide us..." An Act of Terror Reshapes the Globe, (by Michael Wines, The New York Times, September 30, 2001)

"...While there is no reason to doubt the sincerity of the Russian military and civilian leaders who have shouldered the custodial duties for Russian nuclear weapons, it is nonetheless possible that Russian nuclear security has been compromised from the inside without detection..." (What if the Terrorists Go Nuclear?, by Bruce Blair, Center for Defense Information, October 1, 2001).

The article by Yuri Makhnenko, Senior Research Associate of ZAO "Bonum-1", Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics, An Umbrella For the Planet is now available in English.

The recent (September-October)issue of The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists runs:

On outcomes of 45th session of IAEA general conference: Alexander Rumyantsev, Minister of Atomic Energy: 'Our Powerplants Work for Security', - in Russian, (by Vladimir Dernovoy, Wek, No 38, September 28, 2001). See also the transcript of presentation (in Russian) of Alexander Rumyantsev, Head of the Nuclear Energy Ministry of the Russian Federation, at the 45-th session of IAEA general conference, September 26, 2001.

Analytical Center for Non-proliferation in Sarov opened up its web site.


What Was New?

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