The Bush administration is seeking more than $127 million from the US Congress to fund non-proliferation cooperation with India, China and Russia as well to meet the challenges and threat posed by Iran and North Korea.
This was stated by Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman while making out a strong case before a Congressional panel to support the administration's request for $1.726 billion for 2007 to spend on projects for reducing threat from proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and for expansion of cooperation with China, India and Russia on these issues.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday in Washington, Bodman said the Energy Department was seeking an almost seven per cent increase to carry out US President George Bush' commitment to prevent, contain, and roll back the proliferation of nuclear weapons-usable materials, technology and know-how.
The Energy Department is working with more than 70 nations to secure dangerous nuclear and radioactive materials, halt the production of new fissile material, detect the illegal trafficking or diversion of nuclear material and ultimately dispose off surplus weapons-usable materials, he said.
In addition, Energy Department officials are working with multilateral organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, to further strengthen nuclear safeguards and improve the nuclear export control regulatory infrastructure in other countries, Bodman said.
He said a multilayered approach would help identify and address potential vulnerabilities within the nonproliferation regime, reduce the incentive for terrorists and rogue states to obtain WMD, and limit terrorists' access to deadly weapons and materials.
Highlights of the non-proliferation and threat reduction programme requests, as spelt out by Bodman, include:
International Security and Non-Proliferation: More than $127 million is requested to meet and reverse proliferation by Iran and North Korea, as well as fund ongoing efforts to strengthen the IAEA. It also would be used to promote nonproliferation cooperation with Russia, China and India.
Research and Development: The $269 million non-proliferation and verification research and development request would fund technological advancements needed to detect and prevent the illicit diversion of nuclear weapons.
Global Threat Reduction Initiative: The new budget seeks $107 million to help identify, secure, recover, and/or facilitate the disposition of vulnerable nuclear and radioactive materials around the world. Funding will accelerate the recovery or elimination of some Russian-origin materials, eligible as part of the Russian Research Reactor Fuel Return Program.
Materials Protection, Control and Accounting: The department is asking for $413.2 million to accelerate security upgrades and to complete projects under way in Russia.
Plutonium Disposition: The administration is seeking $551 million to dispose off surplus Russian and US plutonium and another 87 million dollars to eliminate the US surplus of highly enriched uranium.
Elimination of Weapons Grade Plutonium Production: The budget request seeks $207 million to keep construction projects on schedule for Russian fossil fuel plants.
Naval Reactors: About $795 million is being sought to ensure the US Navy has access to safe, militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants.