Russian problems in implementation of Convention on chemical weapons ban.

GREEN CROSS RUSSIA

PUBLIC FORUM

Russian problems in implementation of

Convention on chemical weapons ban.

Convention on the chemical weapons development, production, accumulation and use banning (CWC) signed in 1993 is an important international agreement.

As Russian Federation is the the worldwide largest owner of announced CW stockpiles, it is of outmost international importance to meet all CWC requirements from the point of view of achievement of the main CWC objective chemical disarmament and non-proliferation.

Majority of Russian political forces supports urgent CW destruction and approve the CWC norms prohibiting the CW use.

CWC went into force on April 29, 1997. Despite the fact that it was not clear yet if international assistance would be increased on October 31, 1997 State Duma ratified CWC with 283 votes against 75. Federation Council anonymously approved CWC on November 5, 1997.

After CWC ratification Russia is obliged to destroy CW stockpiles completely within 10 years with a possible 5 years prolongation. Nevertheless, Russian economic problems create significant obstacles on the way to obligations fulfillment.

The main pre-requisite to the timely liquidation of Russian CW stocks is sufficient funds allocation for this from the federal budget.

Estimations of CW liquidation costs is 34 354,3 million rubles in prices of 1998 (about $ 5,7 billion ).

Russian government failed to fulfil a budget assignment for CW destruction approved by Federal Assembly. In 1995-1997 56,6 billion rubles (in prices of 1997, or less than $ 10 million) was allocated for this purpose from the federal budget that is only 14% from the planned amount.

The largest financial assistance is making now by the USA. According to the program Nunn-Lugar on Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) they partly finance the construction of nerve agents destruction facilities in Shchuch'ye, the Kurgan oblast.

International support for chemical demilitarization in Russia is in the form of bilateral projects agreed by some countries United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland - aiming at fulfilling concrete actions. For the moment Italy joined to this list and is planning to finance some facilities of the social infrastructure in the settlement of Kizner, the Udmurt republic.

Highly appreciating the international assistance it is necessary to note that assistance being made by most countries is very limited and cannot significantly change the tendency to fail to meet CWC requirements in time.

Currently, all the regions of the CW stockpiling and future destruction are forming their understanding of the problem both local authorities and the population. Some practical steps are undertaken. This creates favorable conditions for interrelations between federal and local authorities to raise funds outside the budget to finance the program of CW destruction.

Green Cross Russia and other non-governmental organizations involved in chemical disarmament invite you for the public forum "Russian problems in CWC implementation" to be held in Moscow on November 4-5, 1998".

The application for participation please send to the organizing committee by e-mail <gcrus@glas.apc.org> or fax (095) 923 68 33 before October 16, 1998.
The forum agenda will be sent you with an invitation.

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