JPRS-TND-93-0 10

16 April 1993

 FOREIGN

BROADCAST

INFORMATION

SERVICE

-!PRS ReportProliferation

Issues

1MC QUALTTY INSPECTED 2 cc,

REPRODUCED BY

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161
PROLIFERATION ISSUES

JPRS-TND-93-O0O CONTENTS 16 April 1993

[This report contains foreign media information on issues related to worldwide proliferation and transfer activities in

nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, including delivery systems and the transfer of weapons-relevant

technologies.]

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

Data on South African Nuclear Arms Program [Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY 26 Mar] .......... I

Arms Industry Space Project Reportedly Halted [SUNDAY TIMES 4 Apr] ..................................... I

Secret Nuclear Deals With Israel Reported [CITY PRESS 28 Mar] ................................................ 2

Atomic Energy Officer on Pelindaba Uranium Enrichment Plant [Johannesburg TV] ................... 3

AEC, Armscor Deny Artillery-Size Nuclear Arms [SAPA] ................................................................ 4

Dismantler of RSA Nuclear Arsenal Interviewed [SUNDAY STAR 28 Mar] .................................. 5

Cost of Developing Nuclear Bomb Disputed [SUNDAY TIMES 28 Mar] ...................................... 6

Former Atomic Energy Expert 'Avowed Rightwinger' [THE WEEKLY MAIL 26 Mar-I Apr] ....... 7

Kalahari Nuclear Test Site Explored [SUNDAY STAR 28 Mar] ....................................................... 7

Moscow Said To Endorse De Klerk Statement [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 31 Mar] ......................... 8

EAST ASIA

JAPAN

DPRK on Tokyo's Plan To Import Tritium From Canada [Pyongyang KCNA] ............................ 10

NORTH KOREA

Foreign Ministry Statement on IAEA Resolution [KCNA] .............................................................. 10

IAEA Not Expecting Pyongyang To Reverse Stance [Seoul YONHAP] ......................................... 12

Russian Scientists Said To Aid Missile Program [Seoul TONG-A ILBO 1 Apr] .............................. 12

Article Blames U.S. for IAEA Dispute [Moscow PRAVDA 31 Mar] ................................................ 12

Germ an Commentary Views NPT W ithdrawal .................................................................................. 14

'Full of Danger' [Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE 18 Mar] ..................... 14

'Speculations Continue' [Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE 19 Mar] .......... 15

MALAYSIA

Investigation of Libyan Chemical Weapons Aid [AFP] ................................................................... 16

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul, U.S. Agree to 'Tougher Action' on DPRK [Seoul YONHAP] ............................................. 16

THAILAND

Thais W orking on Libyan Chemical W eapons ................................................................................... 17

Plants 'High Risk Factor' [SIAM POST 28 Mar] .................................................................. 17

Three Companies Linked [SIAM POST 29 Mar] .................................................................. 18

More on Participation [SIAM POST 30 Mar] ....................................................................... 19

Report of Up to 25,000 Workers [BANGKOK POST 30 Mar] .............................................. 20

Security Council Head Responds [SIAM POST 30 Mar] ....................................................... 20
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 2

EAST EUROPE

SLOVAKIA

Prominent Businessman Accused of Uranium Trafficking [CTK] .................................................. 22

Police Arrest, Interrogate Uranium Smugglers [SMENA 3 Apr] .................................................... 22

NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA

INDIA

Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Under Development

[THE SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA 21 Feb] .................................................................................. 23

IRAQ

Nuclear Weapons Program Discussed [Moscow NEW TIMES INTERNATIONAL Feb] .............. 23

Swiss Firms Accused of Supplying Nuclear Program [Bern International] ..................................... 26

Russian Scientist Said To Help Arms Program [Moscow SOBESEDNIK 15 Feb] ......................... 27

CENTRAL EURASIA

COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES

Correspondent Reports Nuclear Smuggling from CIS [Moscow TV] ............................................. 28

Russian, Ukrainian Positions on Nuclear Weapons ........................................................................ 28

Russia Issues Statement [ITAR-TASS] ................................................................................... 28

Ukraine in 'Flagrant Violation' [INTERFAX] ....................................................................... 29

Nuclear-Free Status Urged [ITAR-TASS] ................................................................................ 30

Differences Over START Viewed [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 6 Apr] .................................... 30

Nuclear Arms 'Pose Danger' [IZVESTIYA 7 Apr] ................................................................ 31

News Conference on Arms [KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 7 Apr] ..................................................... 32

Ukrainian Ministries' Statement [HOLOS UKRA YINY 2 Apr] .............................................. 33

Ukraine Cabinet's Stance [Kiev Radio] ................................................................................... 33

Kravchuk: Talks Reach 'Impasse' [UKRINFORM] ................................................................ 34

Early START Ratification Urged [INTERFAX] ..................................................................... 35

Security Guarantee Sought [Kiev Radio] ................................................................................ 35

No Comment on Russian Statement [IZVESTIYA 7 Apr] ..................................................... 35

Ukraine Hails Russian Intent [Moscow Radio] ....................................................................... 35

RUSSIA

Article Questions Progress Under START II [NOVOYE VREMYA Mar] ..................................... 36

Offers of Help With CW Dismantling Welcomed [KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 27 Mar] ....................... 37

Statute on Military Product Export Control [KOMMERSANT 1-7 Feb] ....................................... 38

Article Views Arms Export Control Regulations [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 3 Feb] ...................... 40

Paper, Minister Review Uranium Trade Outlook [KRASNAYA ZVEVDA 20 Mar] ...................... 41

Interpol Russia Chief on 'Radioactive Exporting' [FEDERA TSIYA 2 Apr] .................................. 42

City's Plan To Export Osmium-187 Examined [LITERATURNAYA GAZETA 17 Mar] .............. 44

Plutonium Theft Trial Opens in Moscow [KOMSOMOLSKA YA PRAVDA 6 Apr] ........................ 45

Red Mercury Theft Scare Debunked [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 27 Mar] ....................................... 45

Nuclear Facility Said Disguised as Seismological Lab [HOLOS UKRA YINY 23 Mar] .................. 46

Military Spokesmen on Eshery Lab [ARGUMENTY I FAKTYApr] ..................................... 46

Scientist Claims Binary Bomb at Secret Base [NEW TIMES INTERNATIONAL Mar] ................. 47

Tomsk Authorities Deny Biological Weapon Production [ITAR-TASS] ......................................... 50

Privatization of 'Biomash' NPO Plant Contested [TRUD 28 Jan] ................................................ 50

Commentary Urges Pyongyang To Clarify Nuclear Intent [Moscow International] ....................... 51

ARMENIA

Armenia Considers Export Controls of Material [Yerevan International] ....................................... 52
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 3

BELARUS

UK, U.S., Russia Give Security Guarantees to Belarus [INTERFAX] ........................................... 52

ESTONIA

Cesium- 137 Isotope Stolen Again in Estonia [BALTFAX] .............................................................. 53

Police Detain Thieves [BALTFAX] .......................................................................................... 53

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan Nuclear Chief on IAEA Inspections [AZIYA (INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY) Feb] .... 53

LITHUANIA

Lithuanian Nuclear Fuel Container Missing [ITAR-TASS] .............................................................. 54

Further Reporting [BALTFAX] .............................................................................................. 54

UKRAINE

Ukraine's Kravchuk Interviewed on Nuclear Issues [Kiev Radio] .................................................. 54

WEST EUROPE

GERMANY

Company Official on Controls of Dual-Use Materials [VDI NACHRICHTEN 29 Jan] ................. 57

Kohl Calls for Bilateral Nuclear Dialogue [Madras THE HINDU 20 Feb] .................................... 57
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 AFRICA 1

SOUTH AFRICA Early Seventies-Development of the industrial base to

enrich uranium. Processing of highly enriched uranium

Data on South African Nuclear Arms Program starts at a test site in Walindaba.

93WP0122A Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY Mid-Seventies-Development of a test site in the Kalain Russian 26 Mar 93 p 10 hari Desert, with a 300-meter-deep mine shaft (after

development the site was closed).

[Article by Anastasiya Romashkevich: "The Republic of South Africa Has Sout Announced AficaHasAnnuncd te Dvelpmet o an Late Seventies--Work to develop a uranium-based gun- the Development of an

Atomic Bomb. Pretoria Has Quit the 'Nuclear Club' type explosive device.

Because It Never Really Joined It."] Early Eighties-Work on weapons of more advanced

[Text] A news conference was held yesterday at the design, including thermonuclear.

Republic of South Africa [RSA] Embassy in Moscow, August 1988-The RSA officially acknowledges that it

devoted to a sensational announcement by that country's has a military nuclear program. The Kalahari test site is

president, Frederik de Klerk. Speaking in parliament, he demothballed. According to expert evaluations in the

admitted that the RSA has had a nuclear program and USSR's military intelligence, activity started up again at

that it culminated in the development of nuclear the site, connected with preparations for a test of an

weapons. De Klerk stated that the RSA does not have advanced nuclear weapon.

nuclear weapons at this time-they have been destroyed,

and all work has been frozen, but "no one is ever Late 1988-A program to develop a gas centrifuge to

destined to learn the technical details." enrich uranium was completed.

According to de Klerk, he reached the decision to halt 1991-The RSA signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation

nuclear weapons research after becoming president in Treaty as a nonnuclear state. After signing the treaty the

1989. According to information obtained from the RSA RSA admitted that it had a considerable quantity of

Embassy in Moscow, implementation of "a limited pro- nuclear materials, including stocks of weapons-grade

gram of nuclear deterrence" was initiated in 1974, and uranium.

by the late eighties, Pretoria already had six nuclear

weapons. "The weapons produced were not thermonu- 1992-Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy

clear and the RSA had no intention of using them," it Agency conducted inspections at nuclear sites in the

was stated at the news conference. "The Air Force would RSA, but were not permitted to inspect mine shafts in

have been used to deliver them: The South African Air the Kalahari.

Force has British Canberra bombers and the American March 1993-An official statement by RSA President

Boeing-707." Frederik de Klerk on the successful completion of the

Talking about the reasons for halting the nuclear pro- nuclear program. Nuclear weapons that had been develgram, the president of the RSA noted that it "had oped were destroyed. [end box]

become a hindrance in the development of relations

between South Africa and other countries." It was Arms Industry Space Project Reportedly Halted

decided not only to rid themselves of nuclear weapons MB0404092793 Johannesburg SUNDAY TIMES

but also to convert the capacities of the ARMKOR state in English 4 Apr 93 pp 1,2

military corporation, where they were developed.

Pretoria's nuclear program was always a "Pulcinella's [By Charmain Naidoo]

secret" for the world community: In 1979, for example,

an American satellite registered a secret flash of light in [Text] The SABC [South African Broadcasting Corporathe South Atlantic that had apparently been an RSA test tion] has scuppered a bid by the South African arms

of an atomic bomb, which de Klerk denies. The African industry to develop its own multimillion-rand missile

National Congress (ANC) welcomed the president's and satellite programme.

announcement but demanded additional information. It After a bitter behind-the-scenes dispute which has waged

is the opinion of a number of observers that the presi- for months, the corporation rejected government pres- dent's initiative might also be connected with the pros- sure to sign a satellite deal with a French company,

pects for the ANC probably coming to power in the Eutelsat.

future as the result of general elections, on which nego- tiations are now under way between the ANC and the Instead, the SABC went for a cheaper but more limited

government. The reaction of the Russian Foreign Affairs American system. Both services would use satellites in

Ministry to the RSA statement will be covered in tomor- orbit over South Africa to bounce signals back to the

row's edition of KOMMERSANT. country for broadcasting radio and TV programmes.

[Begin box] Stages in the Development of the RSA's But the French company had in addition promised to

Nuclear Weapons (from material from Russian Federa- provide Denel, the commercialised wing of Armscor

tion foreign intelligence) [Armaments Corporation of South Africa], with satellite
JPRS-TND-93-010

2 AFRICA 16 April 1993

facilities which would enable them to use satellite links The PanAmSat deal will cost the SABC and M-Net a set

for a proposed lucrative mobile cellular-telephone net- rate of US$2-million a year. The European option would

work in South Africa. And it had promised to help Denel have cost twice as much. develop its own satellite. According to a Home Affairs source, the Eutelesat deal

Without the French company's service, Denel's plans for was preferred because it could provide a wider range of

entering the cellular-phone market in South Africa have applications.

been dashed. And mony with nede it todevlopevetualy goes all hopes ts wn of getting issle the nd "More importantly, the Cabinet believed that the

money needed to develop eventually its own missile and increased cost would have been worth it, since one of the

satellite programme. clauses in the contract included helping South Africa

The remarkable details of the high-stakes row were launch its satellite. Every government wants the total

disclosed this week by top officials involved in the control that having your own satellite gives a country,"

negotiations. he said.

On one side stood the SABC, anxious to strike the Professor Viljoen said the decision to go with the Amercheapest deal. One the other an armaments industry ican deal was made after three stringent conditions were

desperate to find avenues into non-military hi-tech man- put to the test. "I insisted that he price be right, reliufacturing and a government concerned about the eco- ability comparable and the technology acceptable.

nomic future of the country's armaments industry. "On all three questions PanAmSat was best. We have not

Now, in the wake of the signing of the deal, senior had a narrow, selfish interest. We were just not willing to

government sources have spoken bitterly of the SABC pay double the price for a service that we could get more

board acting in its own rather than "national" interest, cheaply elsewhere," he said.

"They are behaving selfishly, and have acted without Last month Foreign Minister Pik Botha told American

consulting the broader body of public opinion to estab- officials in Washington that the government had stopped

lish what is best for South Africa," said one source. funding SA's ballistic-missile programme but hoped it

could be turned into a purely commercial satellite launch

"The American choice might be cheaper but it is venture.

extremely limiting in its applications, which are Mr Botha asked the US to help Denel launch its comrestricted to broadcasting and nothing else." mercial project, but the Americans continued to apply

SABC board chairman Christo Viljoen was unrepentant. pressure to get South Africa to scrap the missile project because they feared its military application.

"We are not willing to subsidise a government department. Ours was a business not a political decision," he Shortly before this Somchem managing director Jacob

said. van Wyk said a partnership with "a European partner"

would generate enormous revenue and create as many as

Denel spokesman Paul Holtzhausen, meanwhile, denied 12,000 jobs by the year 2000.

that the missile programme had been shelved, and said

that a commercial study into the viability of a space Secret Nuclear Deals With Israel Reported programme was still under way. MB3103140093 Johannesburg CITY PRESS in English

Yet on Friday 340 employees at Denel's Cape subsidiary, 28 Mar 93 pp 1, 2

Somchem, and its missile test range at Overberg, near

Bredasdorp, were retrenched. [Report by Des Blow, investigations editor: "Nuke

The SABC deal with the American company, Pan- Bombshell"]

AmSat- made in conjunction with pay station M-Net [Text] CITY PRESS can today reveal that SA [South

[Media nels Network]-will extend viewing of existing chan- to all parts of South Africa by the end of 1994. It will Africa] and Israel assisted one another in the develop- nelsto allpartsd of Southrv fic a by thoes endment of nuclear warheads in the late 1970s when John also provide a service for cellular phones. Vorster was still in power.

The SABC does not intend applying for a cellular-phone There were at least four highly secretive deals between

license-"our business ins broadcasting and we will stick the two countries connected with the development of

to that", said Professor Viljoen-but M-Net has already nuclear weapons.

done so.

Yet on June 28 1991, Foreign Minister Pik Botha stated The implication of the SABC deal is that additional that SA had never tested nuclear weapons nor had it ever

satellite time would have to be acquired for the cellular- co-operated with any other country in making them.

phone system-but this service alone would not make it

economically viable for South Africa to launch its own The sale of "yellow cake" (uranium oxide), a by-product

satellite. of SA's gold mines which could be enriched for nuclear
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 AFRICA 3

energy, was strictly controlled internationally and Israel inventory of "every single gram of nuclear material" it

was unable to obtain the many tons needed to produce possessed and that SA had only developed its nuclear

nuclear weapons. programme to produce electricity and had nothing to hide.

SA, on the other hand, was unable to obtain trutium, a

radioactive isotope of hydrogen, necessary to explode a This is the same Dr Strumpf who explained on TV on

nuclear device and which was only obtainable from the Thursday [25 March] night that SA had dismantled six

United States and Russia. nuclear bombs.

A deal was struck between John Vorster and the Israeli In June 1978 Dr Ampie Roux, who was in on the secret

Prime Minister's Council for Scientific Liaison which of the bomb from the start, echoed Vorster's denial, and

was involved in the clandestine purchasing for Israel of in April 1979, State President P.W. Botha who followed

nuclear materials. However, SA's Minister of Mines at Vorster into office, said although SA had the know-how

the time, Piet Koornhof, was against the deal. to manufacture the bomb, it planned rather to use

Vorster replaced Koornhof as Minister of Mines with nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Fanie Botha, who was in favour of the arrangement. During the next few years the denials continued,

although, according to President de Klerk's statement

Fifty [metric] tons was shipped to Israel and in return this week, SA only started dismantling the bombs in Israel supplied SA with 30 grams of trutium--enough to 1990.

make 12 atom bombs.

The 30 grams of trutium supplied to SA by Israel was

The code name used for trutium was "Teeblare" (tea enough to manufacture explosive devices for 12 atomic

leaves). bombs but De Klerk claims there were only plans for

It was delivered to SA in small quantities over a year seven and that only six were manufactured.

between 1977 and 1978. In 1979, after SA had been in possession of the trutium

Vorster and Gen "Lang" Hendrik van der Bergh, former for more than a year there was a "double flash" over the

head of the Bureau for State Security (Boss), worked on south Atlantic-which overseas scientists suspected was

the "need-to-know" principle, only informing people a nuclear explosion-and accusations were levelled that

like Fanie Botha and Dr Ampie le Roux who was the SA had exploded an experimental nuclear device: the

then chairman of the Uranium Enrichment Corporation government denied emphatically they were responsible

(Ucor). and once again denied that the country had any nuclear

weapons.

In a third secretive deal, SA sent a further 50 [metric] There were also accusations that it was a joint Israeltons of "yellow cake" to Israel, but this was later released South African experiment, but this too was denied.

for Israel's own use.

When Vorster was compelled to resign in 1978 after the This tested week any of Dr the Strumpf bombs repeated manufactured that SA in had SA, never yet he ever said

information scandal, some of the deals had not yet been he saw no reason why the six bombs would not have

completed and were done so under the new State Presi- worked.

dent P.W. Botha.

However, until State President F.W. de Klerk's admis- In October 1991 SA signed the Nuclear Nonsion this week sio that hatSAhs SA wek had ad manufactured anuactredsixnucear six nuclear Proliferation since carried Treaty out 115 with inspections the IAEA, in which SA--and has already found

bombs, the government-from state presidents down- ning.

had always denied that SA had the bomb. nothing.

It is only now, after the six bombs have been dismantled

and it seems inevitable that the Nationalist government Atomic Energy Officer on Pelindaba Uranium

will be out of power shortly, that De Klerk has "come Enrichment Plant

clean" and admitted that SA had nuclear bombs for MB2603203193

years. [Editorial Report] Johannesburg SABC TV 1 Network in

In 1977, during the height of the nuclear weapon con- English at 1830 GMT on 25 March carries a 5-minute

nivance between SA and Israel, Prime Minister John report on a visit to the Pelindaba uranium enrichment

Vorster assured President Jimmy Carter of the U.S. in a plant near Pretoria by South African Broadcasting Corpersonal message that SA did not have, nor did it intend poration reporter Penny Smythe.

to develop, nuclear explosive devices for any purpose. Penny Smythe introduces her report on the visit to

The last denial came only three weeks ago on March 6, Pelindaba. A video shot shows an outside view of the

when the head of the state-owned Atomic Energy Cor- plant with the entrance in the foreground and buildings

poration, Dr Waldo Strumpf, said SA had provided the with tall chimney-like stacks further back behind trees.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with an Penny Smythe stands with her back to the plant.
JPRS-TND-93-010

4 AFRICA 16 April 1993

Video changes to an office shot with close-up of Dr. AEC, Armscor Deny Artillery-Size Nuclear Arms

Waldo Stumpf, chief executive officer of the Atomic MB2603194793 Johannesburg SAPA in English

Energy Corporation of South Africa, speaking to Penny 1819 GMT 26 Mar 93

Smythe:

[Stumpfj "Pelindaba was primarily involved in sup- [Text] Pretoria March 26 SAPA-The Atomic Energy plying the material for these devices. We did assist Corporation [AEC] and Armscor [Armaments CorporaArmscor [Armaments Corporation of South Africa] in tion of South Africa] on Friday [26 March] dismissed

certain peripheral activities." speculation that atomic bombs produced by South

Africa could have been fired by G5 cannons in battle-

[Smythe] "Now we know that the nuclear devices were field situations.

stored at Armscor. How were they stored and where?" In a joint statement, AEC and Armscor said the six

[Stumpf] "The devices were never stored in a single form "cannon-type" nuclear devices completed between 1980

in the first place. They were individually, the compo- and 1989 each weighed about one ton, measuring nearly

nents individually stored, so there was never a device 650mm in diameter and about 1.8m in length. "Therethat was ready to be used at any point in time, and then fore, it could never have been used in an artillery system

there would have to be a long process of assembling such like the G5 as is speculated."

a device. Penny, certainly, there was no single person who had access to any of those devices. There were A newspaper report on Friday claimed South Africa had

basically many people who had to give agreement to possessed smaller nuclear devices which could have been

have access, and there was very good control and cross- lobbed with the G5 and G6 cannons up to 42km into

control built into the system. But they were stored in enemy territory.

vaults-which had certain procedures to open up the It was also reported the country manufactured nuclear

vaults." "smart bombs" able to fly themselves to pinpoint

[Smythe] "If Armscor did the actual building of these targets.

weapons, who did the actual dismantling of them?" The AEC and Armscor statement did not react to this.

[Stumpfl "The dismantling was done under my leader- It said the calculated yield of each of the six manufacship. I did manage the dismantling program upon tured nuclear bombs was meant to have been about 10 to

instruction from the state president." 18 kilotons TNT equivalent, but was never verified as no

Penny Smythe is seen in garden outside building, facing atmospheric or underground nuclear tests were ever

camera, holding "uranium ore-containing rock" in one conducted.

hand, and an "enriched pellet of uranium" in the other. High enriched uranium was used for the bombs and

Return to shot inside office with Dr. Stumpf. produced by the AEC at its uranium enrichment pilot

[Smythe] "What has happened to that uranium now that plant at Pelindaba, in the western Transvaal.

...... The AEC declined to divulge the quantity and enrich- ment level of the nuclear material used, claiming it

[Stumpf, interrupting] "That uranium was recast into a

suitable form and is still at Pelindaba. That will now be would not be in the interest of security and of nonused for running our research reactor for a larger scale proliferation.

isotope production, and the material is absolutely suit- The statement said the nuclear bombs were developed

able, and ideally suitable for running this reactor as the without help "of any kind" from other countries.

reactor is designed for this type of material; the material

is therefore not lost. It (?has) a commercial value for "The first device was completed by Armscor in 1980 and

this." the two parts of the device each containing a sub-critical

mass of nuclear material were stored in separate high Penny Smythe continues her report at the site of the security vaults under strict control measures entailing plant, concluding with a question to Dr. Stumpf. three independent access authorisations.

[Smythe] "We obviously have that capability to create "During 1981-89 a further five devices were produced.

these nuclear devices, and it isn't going to go away just The AEC's pilot enrichment plant was shut down in

because the devices have been dismantled. Isn't it pos- February 1990 at which time sufficient high enriched

sible that this is something that can be recreated in the uranium was produced and supplied to Armscor for the

future?" production of the seventh and final device."

[Stumpfl "In theory possibly, but I think in practice The statement said State President F W de Klerk in

certainly not. First of all, all the documentation and November 1989 instructed the dismantling of the

design information has been destroyed. Secondly, how- nuclear capabilities in preparation for South Africa's

ever, the material in question is under very high strict accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "The

international safeguards." seventh bomb was therefore never completed."
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 AFRICA 5

The devices were dismantled in order to remove the Dismantler of RSA Nuclear Arsenal Interviewed

nuclear material, which was melted and recast "in a form MB2803114293 Johannesburg SUNDAY STAR

which renders it unsuitable for use in a nuclear device". in English 28 Mar 93 p 26

The recast enriched uranium was returned to the AEC

before the safeguards agreement was entered into on [By David Breier, political correspondent]

September 16, 1991. [Text] "I felt very small standing in front of those devices

It was presently stored at Pelindaba in vaults complying knowing each of them could destroy a city," says

with applicable international standards, the AEC and Wynand Mouton.

Armscor said. He was the trusted man appointed by President F W de

Klerk to oversee the dismantling of South Africa's secret All the nuclear material stored was included in an nuclear "devices"-which could have been deployed as

inventory submitted to the international nuclear atomic bombs at short notice.

watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA), and was being inspected by IAEA staff each Mouton (64), who was chairman of the SABC [South

month and subject to IAEA safeguards, the statement African Broadcasting Corporation] board in the early

added. 1980s, is a nuclear physicist with years of academic

experience in nuclear science at the universities of the

"The facilities in which the nuclear material was pro- Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch.

cessed were slightly contaminated with uranium and had

to be decontaminated. All nuclear specific apparatus was He now lives in semi-retirement in Wilderness, where his

sent to the AEC for further decontamination and safe neighbour is none other than ex-president P W Botha,

disposal. The areas where the nuclear material was who played a key role in the development of our nuclear

processed were dismantled and contaminated non- arsenal.

nuclear materials disposed of by the AEC. Botha was the gung-ho Minister of Defence in 1974 in

the Vorster government which took the secret decision to "All general and non-nuclear equipment are at present become a nuclear power. The nuclear weapons probeing used for the manufacture of peaceful and commer- gramme was largely developed after Botha assumed

cial products." power in 1978.

All documents, drawings, computer software and other Botha retired to Wilderness after he lost power in 1989.

data used in the manufacture of the atomic bombs were He often meets and chats with his neighbour Mouton,

destroyed. The whole dismantling process was moni- who also chose the beautiful area as his retirement home.

tored by an independent auditor, Prof W L Mouton, who was appointed by the state president. But little did the ex-president know during those

peaceful chats in 1990 and 1991 that Mouton was

The statement said an underground nuclear test site on secretly overseeing the hush-hush dismantling of the

the SA Defence Force's Vastrap target range near bombs that Botha built.

Upington in the northern Cape was never used and "We see each other often, but I never talked about it,"

abandoned in 1989. Mouton told the SUNDAY STAR this week. He

The site consisted of two 200m deep, one metre wide test reported exclusively to De Klerk.

shafts. What the retired "groot krokodil" [great crocodile] did

not know was that his neighbour was paying frequent

Though no mention is made in the statement of when the visits to Pelindaba, west of Pretoria, to oversee and

shafts were drilled, it is stated that they were initially check on the incredibly complex process of dismantling sealed with concrete slabs and abandoned in 1977 due to the bombs, conducted by a tightly-knit team of a "few

international pressure. dozen" scientists. This took 18 months.

Ten years later, at the time of heavy battles in Angola, Mouton confesses that despite his years of experience as

South Africa reopened one of the shafts and erected a nuclear physicist, he was humbled by the experience. "I

hangar over it "for easy maintenance in case of an was more a basic scientist. This was applied nuclear

underground test". physics."

Mouton was used to working with small reactors like the AEC and Armscor said it was decided after 1989 not to one at Wits [Witwatersrand), but had never been in the

fill-in the shafts due to the costs involved, presence of weapons-grade uranium encased in the shiny

"However, if recommended by the IAEA, South Africa cigar-shaped "bombs."

would destroy the shafts completely. The site was visited "I shivered when I stood in front of them and realised

by IAEA staff during 1992." their power," he said.
JPRS-TND-93-010

6 AFRICA 16 April 1993

He said each bomb was comparable to the one that But Atomic Energy Corporation [AEC] head Waldo

destroyed Hiroshima-small by super-power H-bomb Stumpf insists that the project cost no more than R70-

standards, but big enough to destroy the likes of million to R80-million a year over a 10-year period.

Johannesburg. "This is less than about 0.5 percent of the annual defence

Without disclosing secrets, Mouton described the unbe- budget and it enabled Armscor [Amarments Corporation

lievably difficult internationally prescribed process of of South Africa] to avoid development of a fighter

melting down the highly enriched uranium which is as aircraft which would have cost around R22-billion."

heavy as gold. The uranium oxidises quickly and therefore must not come into contact with air. It is coated President de Klerk disclosed that SA had developed six

with nickel for much of the process. nuclear fission devices since 1974. These have since been

The uranium is smelted into small blocks weighing a dismantled, along with the plant where they were man-

"couple of kilograms" each. This must be done with ufactured.

tremendous care to ensure it does not set off any chain Dr Stumpf says the highly enriched uranium used in the reaction. D tmfsy h ihyerce rnu sdi h

bombs has a resale value of between R I 5-million and

The small blocks of uranium were then stored in R20-million. World prices are depressed because of a

extremely secure conditions as Pelindaba. The rest of the glut of highly enriched uranium coming onto the market

hardware and blueprints were destroyed. from Russia.

Mouton said that all the documents he saw indicated "The material is worth five to six times this amount if we

that the devices were never intended for actual use, but use it as fuel in our Safari nuclear reactor for the

rather to enable South Africa to "flex its muscles" if manufacture or medical isotopes."

threatened.

This confirms De Klerk's statement that the strategy was Dr bility Stumpf of downgrading confirmed that the highly AEC had enriched the technical uranium capa- for

that if South Africa was under threat by the Soviet Union commercial use.

for example, it would carry out an underground test,

inform a power such as the United States and ask them AEC operates a semi-commercial uranium enrichment

to intervene in the conflict, plant to supply Eskom's Koeberg power station with

about 100,000 separative work units (SWUs) a year at a

cost of $20,0 per SWU. Russia could supply the same

Cost of Developing Nuclear Bomb Disputed material at $68 per SWU.

MB2803122493 Johannesburg SUNDAY TIMES

in English Business Times Supplement 28 Mar 3 p 1 Eskom has scaled down its generating capacity at Koeberg, which now accounts for less than 5 percent of its

total electricity output. [By Ciaran Ryan]

In view of Eskom's surplus generating capacity it was

[Text] Scientists have disputed the R[rand]700-million speculated that Koeberg could be mothballed, allowing

to R800-million cost of developing a nuclear bomb given the government to close down AEC's enrichment plant,

by President de Klerk this week. resulting in saving of hundreds of millions of rands a

year. The AEC enrichment plant has a production

One estimate puts the cost of developing the bomb at 10 capacity of 250,000 SWUs and currently exports

times this figure. enriched uranium.

Friedel Sellschop, a noted nuclear scientist and former AEC supplies one of Koeberg's two reactors; the second

head of the Schonland Nuclear Research Facility at the is supplied by a third country after being treated in

University of the Witwatersrand, says the given figure France.

appears low: "I wouldn't have been surprised if the

figure was much higher." Sales of nuclear fuel to Eskom will be worth about

R103-million this year. AEC will receive R469-million Johan Kruger, an energy specialist at the Bernard Price from government this year. It has been funded by

Institute, says a figure of RS00-milion a year for the taxpayers to the tune of R3.6-billion since 1987 to

development of a nuclear bomb is more plausible. produce sales of just over R600-million, most of this to

Professor Sellschop says production of weapons grade Eskom.

material requires enriching uranium to more than 90

percent, compared with 4 percent enrichment for Dr Stumpf says AEC plans to increase self-funding from

nuclear fuel. the current 30 percent to 75 percent by the year 2,000.

Ten companies have been established and several world

"This is a very expensive process," he says. patents have been registered.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 AFRICA 7

Former Atomic Energy Expert 'Avowed Kalahari Nuclear Test Site Explored

Rightwinger' MB2803104193 Johannesburg SUNDAY STAR

MB2603170193 Johannesburg THE WEEKLY MAIL in English 28 Mar 93 p 27

in English 26 Mar-i Apr 93 p 5 [By Mark Stansfield]

[By Jan Taljaard: "A-bomb expert joins the right"] [Text] There's miles 'n miles of sand and scrub bush in

[Text] The man who probably knows more than any the Kalahari. We were told it would be almost imposother person about South Africa's programme to develop sible to find in the hundreds of square kilometres of

a nuclear bomb is now an avowed rightwinger and monotonous red dunes.

confirmed opponent of the present government. But, hidden in a remote area, we did find one of South

Wally Grant, aged 69, retired as chief executive of the Africa's best-kept secrets: a nuclear test facility.

Atomic Energy Corporation (AEC) in 1987 and was in at We visited it this week with permission to stomp and pry

the start when PW Botha decided to build himself an as much as we liked. We couldn't get inside the building

atom bomb. erected over the test shafts, however, because the SADF

Those in the know give Grant most of the credit for [South African Defense Force] personnel escorting us

developing the uranium enrichment process unique to had "forgotten the keys at home."

South Africa. The quest to find South Africa's nuclear test facility

But, says Grant, he has been sworn to secrecy by the started 12 years ago after a drunken conversation. There

government of his day, and he will keep those secrets. He were few clues given at the time. "It" was hidden

had, however, documented the complete history of the somewhere in the Kalahari, somewhere near Upington,

programme and it is being preserved for what he terms and had a lime-decked road leading to it. It was a damn

"our descendants". good bar-side yarn, little else.

Speaking from his farm in the Senekal district, where he This week the Atomic Energy Corporation's [AEC]

moved after retiring, he recalled the time when the Nicholaas Ligthelm gave a few more hints, and some

directive was given to develop a bomb as "very exciting. valuable information, after the Government came clean about its nuclear programme.

"Oh, you can just imagine how exciting it was," he said. Ligthelm was the one who finally admitted "it" did exist.

"Unfortunately I can't tell you anything more as I was In Government and military parlance, "it" is referred to

sworn to absolute secrecy." as just "The Terrain."

He is not even willing to divulge the size, destructive Ligthelm said the site was under the control of the

power, or even the tiniest technical detail of the devices. SADF. It had been developed should there ever be

Since leaving the AEC Grant has served on several reason to conduct a nuclear test. It did indeed lie north of

rightwing think-tanks. He is currently chairman of the Upington, he said, but had never been used.

Volk seenheidskomitee [Peoples Unity Committee] "Three shafts were drilled.., one has since been back-

(Vekom), a group of influential rightwingers who are filled. The other two have had concrete "stoppers"

actively propagating the idea of a separate homeland for placed in them and slabs of cement laid over them ... A

Afrikaners. building has also since been erected over the shafts," he

Initially serving on the steering committee of the "Een- said helpfully.

heidskomitee 25" [EK25], he was appointed as chairman "But I've never been there," he added. of Vekom when that organisation grew from EK25. Ligthelm did admit that Vienna-based International

With him in Vekom are people such as Tienie Groenew Atomic Energy Agency officials had visited the site

a former military intelligence boss as well as well-known themselves in 1991 in the company of AEC officials. rightwingers Koos Reynecke and Blokkie de Beer. SADF personel were amazed when told the news that

Grant is also among the people representing Vekom they had under their control a secret the Government has

inside the Concerned South Africans Group. been hiding successfully for about 20 years.
JPRS-TND-93-010

8 AFRICA 16 April 1993

Well, South Africa's nuclear test site lies about 80 km see where the third "backfilled" shaft may have been

north, and slightly west, of Upington at a place called excavated. The area is a churned mess of red sand,

Vastrap, and it was disguised as an SA Air Force- reinforced concrete, thick, twisted steel plates and

controlled test-range for aircraft-mounted munitions, chunks of granite which obviously came from deep

beneath the earth. The concrete foundations of the

The base looks forlorn and abandoned now. Only two "barracks", built in the mid-'70s, where the men who

SAAF [South African Air Force] personnel stay perma- built the site stayed, are also still visible. The area has

nently there, with a few Nama helpers. been scattered with fibreglass models of tanks and other

The SAAF personnel and an SA Army commandant said army vehicles, presumably to make it look like a conventhey knew nothing about what had been going on at tional "battle school" to prying satellites.

Vastrap-but an elderly Nama woman refreshed their There's little else left at such an historic site today.

memories.

In Upington, we told residents about what lay out there

"I have worked here 14 years in the kitchens," the old in the desert. They did not seem to understand the

lady informed us. technology. Even the name Hiroshima meant nothing to

"And I remember those Godless people who used to "them telling and them.they were incredulous about what we were

come here... so picky, they were: 'wouldn't eat this,

wouldn't eat that, because of their religion, you know."' The three shafts drilled into the Kalahari desert, which

would have been used "if the need ever arose", were

She said she was talking about the Israelis "who don't excavated by RUC [expansion unknown] Mining Pty believe in Jesus." Ltd.

"They used to fly in here for the tests," she added. RUC's company secretary, Pat Morrison, this week said

The commandant "hurrumphed" a lot, so she stopped "he had been party to that," but declined to comment

telling her tale about the Israelis and the "tests." about the project until the Government gave him permission.

The site itself is nothing spectacular. One would expect That permission was not forthcoming at the time of

something better for something so terrifying as the going to press.

testing of nuclear power.

Huddled inside the cockpit of a Piper Arrow at 9,000 feet David Kyd, director for the Vienna-based International

weuculed inotsevene the ockpitlofdPiper Arrhat sn 9 0 een Atomic Energy Agency, declined to comment on a 1991

we could not even see the building that has since been visit IAEA inspectors had made to South Africa's nuclear erected over the site--probably to disguise it. ts ie

test site.

The airspace above Vastrap is a "no-fly" zone, from "That remains confidential because our investigations

ground level right into the strato-sphere. are not complete and certain other nations would be

Our pilot, Yannis, assured us he was on the edge of the annoyed to read of such things in the press," he

no-fly zone at 9,000 feet. All we could identify were the explained.

abandoned rows of barracks which lie about 15 km from The information that IAEA inspectors had visited the

the nuclear "shafts." site came from South Africa's AEC.

Then we drove out there.

The "Airforce Base Waterkloof: Vastrap Testing Range" Moscow Said To Endorse De Klerk Statement

sign looks innocent enough. So does the metal "Sculp- MK3103114693 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY

ture" of a skeleton holding a sickle at the entrance to the in Russian 31 Mar 93 p 10

"restricted" zone. A sign above the skeleton says "Welcome to the Fleshpots of Egypt." [Anastasiya Romashkevich report: "De Klerk Statement

Gets Approval"]

One drives for about 20 km through the Kalahari dunes,

and there stands a huge, newly built hangar with a [Text] Yesterday the Russian Foreign Ministry prepared

concrete apron. Not a runaway in sight, which makes the a communication [soobshcheniye] on its official position

silver hangar look out of place, somehow. It is out of with respect to South African President Frederik de

place: beneath it still exist two shafts where South Africa Klerk's statement (see KOMMERSANT-DAILY of 27

could have exploded the first nuclear device ever set off March) concerning his country's military nuclear proon African soil, a mere 80 km from Upington fnd the gram. Although by the time this issue was signed to press

people who lived there under the shadow of one of man's the communication had not yet been issued, KOMMERdarker threats. SANT-DAILY's correspondent learned its main content.

The site is exactly as Ligthelm described it: a concrete The delay over the preparation of the communication,

slab with a building on it. Behind the building one can observers point out, was related to both internal political
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 AFRICA 9

upheavals in Moscow and the specifics of the precedent weapons have been created in a country that is party to the

itself. According to KOMMERSANT-DAILY analysts, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Pretoria's moves have

future of the [Nuclear Nonproliferation] treaty (its term been given a positive evaluation. The statement also

expires in 1995) in increasingly uncertain. The Democratic contains a call to observe the norms of the treaty, which,

People's Republic of Korea has withdrawn from it, while experts believe, should be embodied in the form of more

the "unofficial nuclear states" such as India, Pakistan, and effective verification measures being worked out and will

Israel are thus far not going to accede to it. Despite the require their harmonization with one of the top priorities

Foreign Ministry's worry over the fact that nuclear of Russia's foreign trade-the arms trade.
JPRS-TND-93-010

10 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

JAPAN The statement says:

DPRK on Tokyo's Plan To Import Tritium From The United States and other forces hostile to us which Canada have been threatening the DPRK and putting pressure

on it over the "problem of nuclear inspection" are now SK2603062893 Pyongyang KCNA in English trying to openly interfere in its internal affairs and take

0458 GMT 26 Mar 93 even "sanctions" against it with the help of the United

Nations.

["Nuclear Fanaticism Carried Into Extremes"-KCNA

headline] At the meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency on April 1 the United

[Text] Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA)-The Japanese States and its followers adopted by force a "resolution"

Government's plan to ship tritium, an H-bomb material, on transferring the so-called "nuclear problem" of the

from Canada in October reveals its bloated arrogance in DPRK to the United Nations, defying the strong oppopushing ahead with its nuclear program with increased sition of delegates of our country and various other

frenzy, says NODONG SINMUN today. countries.

The news analyst notes: This is an open hostile act of the United States and its

Japan has stockpiled large quantities of plutonium and is followers to isolate and stifle our republic at any cost.

planning to purchase 400 more tons of it in 30 years to

come. When this plan is carried out, Japan will be one of Considering that the "resolution" of the IAEA Board of

the biggest possessors of plutonium in the world. It has Governors is a grave encroachment upon the sovereignty

made full material and technological preparations for the of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the

manufacture of nuclear weapons. It can make atomic dignity of the nation, the government of the DPRK

bombs any time it decides to. Now it wants to become a decisively rejects and condemns it.

nuclear power by manufacturing satanic H-bombs. There is no ground whatsoever for the IAEA to refer our

It is for the purpose of justifying their nuclear armament "nuclear problem" to the United Nations.

design that the Japanese ruling quarters are persistently spreading the rumor about "nuclear suspicion" against It is preposterous for the meeting of the IAEA Board of

the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, taking issue Governors to charge us with "noncompliance with the

with its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-proliferation safeguards agreement" as we refused to allow the inspecTreaty. tion of military sites.

The conversion of Japan into a nuclear power will bring The "two sites" the inspection of which was demanded

nothing good to the country. The Japanese ruling quar- by the IAEA secretariat are our military sites which

ters are forgetful of the serious lesson, bewitched by have no relevance to nuclear activities and, accordnuclear arms. ingly, these are not subject to inspection under the

Japan must give up its nuclear design and cancel the plan safeguards agreement.

to transport tritium. This will be good for Japan. What is more, the secretariat made public the "satellite

intelligence information" provided by the United States

NORTH KOREA and, on this basis, demanded an inspection of our

military facilities, claiming that they were nuclear

Foreign Ministry Statement on IAEA Resolution related facilities.

SK0604050793 Pyongyang KCNA in English The fact itself that they spied on our country by an

0449 GMT 6 Apr 93 espionage satellite or by high-altitude reconnaissance

plane was a violation of its sovereignty and it is still more

["Statement of DPRK Foreign Ministry"-KCNA head- shameless for them to try to reconfirm the "intelligence

line] information" through the IAEA.

[Text] Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA)-The Foreign Min- By attempting to make an inspection on the basis of this

istry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea false "information" the IAEA secretariat is joining the

issued today a statement clarifying the stand of the United States in the latter's sinister purpose of having

DPRK Government in connection with the fact that the our military facilities opened and disarming us.

United States and its followers adopted by force a "resolution" to transfer the so-called "nuclear problem" Some officials of the IAEA secretariat and some member

of the DPRK to the United Nations at the meeting of the nations have brought our issue to the United Nations,

Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy deliberately ignoring our reasonable proposal and

Agency and are trying to take something like "sanctions" patient efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of the

against it with the help of the United Nations. problem.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 11

Ever since it signed the safeguards agreement our Scores of years have passed since the statute of the IAEA

Republic has not only faithfully fulfilled its commit- and the safeguards agreement were drafted. But never

ments under it but provided every possible convenience before had they been trampled upon and trifled with as

and cooperation to the IAEA secretariat and inspectors today.

in their full performance of their duties.

Judging from this, it is not our country but the United

Even after the declaration of our withdrawal from the States and some officials of the IAEA secretariat that

treaty we made it clear that we were ready to fulfil our have failed to comply with the safeguards agreement.

commitments under the agreement and especially before They have laid artificial obstacles to our implementation

the last meeting we made a proposal to hold negotiations of the safeguard agreement. with the IAEA on the implementation of our obligations

and have exerted efforts for its realization. It is none other than the United States which deserves

complaints at the United Nations and sanctions of the

To our regret, our offer for negotiations was turned international community. It, a depositary of the nuclear

down. non-proliferation treaty, has violated its obligations

under the treaty and ceaselessly increased nuclear threat

This was very abnormal and something unprecedented. to a non-nuclear state.

Such practices on the part of the United States and the Our so-called "nuclear problem" is, in essence, not a

IAEA secretariat diametrically run counter to the statute problem between our country and the IAEA but a

of the IAEA and its provisions and the safeguards problem between us and the United States.

agreement.

The so-called "nuclear problem" of ours, therefore, is Our refusal of the inspection of military sites can never not a matter to be discussed in the U.N. arena but a

be "noncompliance with the safeguards agreement". problem that should be resolved through negotiation

We have never rejected ad hoc inspection under the between the DPRK and the United States.

agreement. All these facts show that the attempt to take our "nuclear

The director-general of the IAEA and some officials of problem" to the U.N. arena by charging us with "nonthe secretariat of the agency and some of its member compliance" is an illegal act without any validity and

states hurriedly adopted a "resolution" to take our legal ground. "nuclear problem" to the United Nations. This was

based on a U.S. scenario and was intended to attain the The United Nations should not argue about our "nuclear

sinister political purpose of stifling our socialism, problem" but pay a due attention to the abuse of the statute and safeguards agreement by some officials of the

Some officials of the IAEA secretariat have thus system- IAEA secretariat and growing nuclear threat of the

atically abused the statute of the agency and the safe- United States to us and take a practical step to check it.

guards agreement to charge us with "noncompliance with the safeguards agreement" from the very beginning As far back as in the 1950s, the United Nations became

under the manipulation of the United States. a warring side against us, its name abused by the United

States, and committed grave crimes against the Korean

The reality proves more clearly how just it was for the people and has not yet settled the abnormal past with our

DPRK to withdraw from the IAEA. country.

No trace of international justice, impartiality and objec- If the United Nations follow in its past footsteps today

tivity could be found in the words and deeds of the when the cold war has ended, it will entail unpredictable

United States and some officials of the IAEA secretariat consequences and leave another stain in its history.

until now.

There is no change in the DPRK Government's antiIn actuality, South Africa has developed and manufac- nuclear peace policy and its stand for the denuclearisatured nuclear weapons and Israel is said to possess tion of the Korean peninsula.

nuclear weapons. But the United States and the IAEA

have never taken issue with them nor brought com- Consistent likewise is our stand to fulfill our obligations

plaints against them at the United Nations. under the safeguards agreement to the end and solve the

problems arising in this by means of negotiation. The IAEA, however, has transferred our "nuclear problem" to the United Nations, raising terrific outcries over If the U.N. Security Council try to put pressure on us and

fictitious "nuclear suspicion" and "inconsistency." take "collective sanctions" against us by representing the

will of a big power, we will be compelled to take

We cannot but take a serious view of such two-pronged corresponding effective self-defensive measures.

"double standard" applied by the United States and the

International Atomic Energy Agency. We do not say empty words.
JPRS-TND-93-010

12 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Moscow airport toward the end of last year, said that

Korea and the Korean people believe that the govern- Russian scientists who are in North Korea could have

ments and peoples of all countries that treasure peace left Russia with official permission.

and justice will extend support and solidarity to our just

cause of removing nuclear threat from the Korean pen- The Russian scientists accepted the North Korean inviinsula and safeguarding peace and security. tation because of the high remuneration of $1,200 a

month and the feelings of ideological ties. It has also

been revealed that the invitation to the scientists was

IAEA Not Expecting Pyongyang To Reverse made through official contacts between the North

Stance Korean authorities and the Russian institutes they

SK3003011293 Seoul YONHAP in English 0056 GMT worked for.

30 Mar 93

The Russian scientists who are working in the field of

[Text] Berlin, March 30 (YONHAP)-The International missile development in North Korea are from the

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to hold North (Isayev Institute) and the (Makayev Institute), both of

Korea in violation of the nuclear safeguards accord and which specialize in development of missiles, according

refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council at a special to MOSCOW NEWS.

Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.

The IAEA will convene an emergency meeting of the 35

governor nations Tuesday afternoon to coordinate ideas Article Blames U.S. for IAEA Dispute

on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. 93 WPO123A Moscow PRA VDA in Russian 31 Mar 93 p 3

IAEA sources said Monday that South Korea, the United

States, Japan and other major governor nations had

already drafted a resolution on referring North Korea's [Article by Boris Zanegin, doctor of historical sciences:

nuclear problem to the U.N. Security Council in "The Korean Peninsula: The Crisis Worsens"]

informal meetings, while agreeing that if China opposed

it the Board of Governors should take a vote. [Text] The conflict between the Democratic People's

Unless North Korea reversed its stance against special Republic of Korea and the International Atomic Energy

IAEA inspections of two sites suspected of being part of Agency (IAEA), with Washington standing behind its

its nuclear weapons program by the Wednesday meeting, back, gets worse every day. The rigid decision, limited by

there was no way for Pyongyang to avoid the IAEA's a short deadline, in effect an ultimatum by the IAEA

taking the matter to the United Nations, they added. Council of Directors on 23 February to carry out a "special

inspection" of Korean military sites, was rejected by As of Monday, North Korea had not shown any response Pyongyang. In response to the action of IAEA, the United

to the IAEA's request for it to grant IAEA nuclear States, and South Korea, the People's Central Committee,

investigators access to the suspect sites, according to an the highest organ of state administration in the DPRK,

IAEA spokesman. He said the IAEA did not expect that announced on 12 March its withdrawal from the Nuclear

North Korea to change its mind. Nonproliferation Treaty.

IAEA Director-General Hans Blix would label North This decision called forth a storm in the international

Korea a country defaulting on its obligations under the community. But one gets the impression that the reacnuclear safeguards pact at Wendesday's board meeting, tion to this step by the DPRK on the part of the major,

he said. and, let us note, above all, nuclear powers, has an

exaggerated character, obviously calculated to exacerRussian Scientists Said To Aid Missile Program bate the situation. The essentially insignificant dispute

SK0104012193 Seoul TONG-A ILBO in Korean can and should be settled by political means. But,

I Apr 93 p I persistently and inflexibly the West, with Russia's cooperation, is turning it into a dangerous international crisis,

fraught with international conflict. The DPRK is a fairly [By Moscow-based correspondent Chang Haeng-hun] small state, surrounded on all sides by nuclear Levia-

[Text] Russian weekly MOSCOW NEWS on 31 March thans. It is being portrayed as virtually the principal

reported that a number of Russian scientists are partic- nuclear threat and the sole instigator of the aggravated

ipating in North Korean production of missiles carrying situation. The world press is discussing an array of ways

nuclear warheads, to pressure this "disturber of the peace," from the

ultimatum of the UN Security Council to the complete

MOSCOW NEWS, in an article on its interview with isolation of the country and a trade embargo. "If neces-

(Yuriy Besarabov), 52, and (Vladimir Yusachev), 41, sary," writes the German newspaper DIE WELT, "these

missile experts who were among the 20 Russian scien- measures could be suplemented by breaking off all

tists who were stopped by a Russian security organiza- transport and communication connections, and even

tion from leaving the country for North Korea at a military intervention."
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 13

When it joined the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in checking of two military sites in the village of Yongbeng

1985, Pyongyang, quite apart from the its treaty obliga- (which the IAEA is insisting on, at the prompting of

tions, came from the position that the Korean Peninsula Washington and Tokyo). To this day, the enemy sides on

would be turned into a nonnuclear zone. Its status would the Korean Peninsula are divided by a military demarbe respected by the South Korean regime and the United cation line. Military forces numbering nearly a million

States. In particular, what it had in mind was that all are concentrated on both sides. American naval forces

American nuclear weapons would be removed from have bases at their disposal in South Korea, including a

South Korea, that the "Team Spirit" military exercises nuclear submarine base at Chinhae which can accommowould not be held, and the security of North Korea and date "Los Angeles" and "Sturgeon" class submarines

its protection against nuclear threat would be ensured. with nuclear weapons on board. A statement by the

As subsequent events showed, not one of these assump- DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on 9 Septions proved true. Moreover, in the past year and a half tember 1992 that the ruling powers of Seoul are blocking

the United States and South Korea have raised the any inspection of this base under the pretext that it "nuclear issue" with regard to the DPRK, and this has belongs to the United States. It is difficult to reproach

become the main obstacle to normalizing the situation the DPRK, as a country still in a state of war with "UN

on the peninsula. The process of rapprochement between forces," for trying, under these conditions, to keep its

both parts of Korea, which had been developing success- military capabilities secret from its opponent.

fully heretofore, with the prospect of unification on a

confederative basis, has now practically collapsed. From In 1991, for the first time in many years, serious political

the evidence, the events in Russia in August 1991 (the changes were noted in the dialog between the DPRK and

accession to power of Yeltsin's anticommunist regime) South Korea. The two sides concluded an "Agreement

provided grounds for a reassessment by Washington and on Armistice, Non-Aggression, Cooperation, and

Seoul of their previous strategy. Under these conditions, Exchange Between North and South," and they signed a

the evolutionary process of unification of the Korean "Joint Declaration Concerning the Non-nuclear Status

nation, which envisioned preservation of the socialist of the Korean Peninsula." Then the U.S. announced the

system, ceased to be satisfactory to the South Korean withdrawal of its tactical nuclear weapons from South

regime and its American patrons, since the possibility of Korea and the cessation of the "Team Spirit" exercises.

forcible annexation of the DPRK to South Korea had In 1992, for the first time in 17 years, the exercises were

arisen. In Seoul they were even calculating, based on the not carried out. The resumption of the exercises this year

German experience, what the "digestion" of the DPRK in conjunction with plans by the West to impose interwould cost after it was swallowed. In connection with national sanctions against the DPRK was perceived in

these new tasks, "crisis diplomacy" was put into action, Pyongyang as a serious threat to a nonnuclear country by

and a whole arsenal of pressure tactics was mobilized a nuclear superpower.

against the DPRK.

"Team Spirit-93" was carried out in March. The AmerThe conflict between the IAEA and Pyongyang stems ican side called the exercises "purely defensive." They

from "suspicions," contrived and spread by Washington were motivated by the necessity to check the military

and Tokyo, that North Korea is working to develop readiness of American and South Korean forces "in the

nuclear weapons. It should be pointed out that the event of military aggression on the part of the DPRK." "suspicions" have so far received no confirmations of The American declaration is refuted by an analysis of the

any weight at all. Japan acknowledges that the "suspi- composition of the troops that took part and the nature

cions" are based on calculations proceeding from of the operations. Some 120,000 servicemen particiabstract assumptions with regard to the capacity to pated in the maneuvers. Of these, 50,000 were Amerproduce armament-quality plutonium using North ican. Over the course of 10 days, they went through

Korea's experimental nuclear reactor. Washington had offensive maneuvers such as breaching reinforced zones,

no difficulty prompting the IAEA to undertake the advancing deep behind "enemy" lines, naval and air

search for data to confirm the "suspicions." The Amer- assaults, and landing force operations. The exercises

ican side turned over to the IAEA some American began with the largest landing of marines in the entire

intelligence data on nuclear sites which, they said, were history of the exercises, in the region of the port of

not shown in the relevant Korean documents. The IAEA, Pohang, where the coastal strip and the terrain are

for its part, demanded that verification of these sites be similar to the eastern coast of the northern part of the

permitted. peninsula. There was no secret about it: the ships and

aircraft of the U.S. which took part in the exercises either

In the controversy which arose, Pyongyang took a con- had nuclear weapons on board or acted as potential

structive position. When the problem of the "discrepan- carriers of them. The most up-to-date military airplanes

cies" between the inspection data and Korean reports were transferred to South Korea to participate in "Team

first arose, Pyongyang proposed that IAEA inspectors Spirit-93"-the B-IB fighter-bomber and the F- 1 5e and

investigate the question at the nuclear sites, jointly with F-I 17a and "Stealth" fighters. For the first time, an

North Korean specialists; this could eliminate the neces- observer from Russia also attended "Team Spirit-93."

sity of any "special inspections." The Korean side has The presence of observers at military exercises is a

more than ample justification for refusing to permit customary thing. But in this case, the move could only
JPRS-TND-93-010

14 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

promote an increase in the already close-to-the-limit [Text] If nothing happens, 12 March 1993 will go down

tensions. It is worth recalling that during B. Yeltsin's in history as the day the world came apart at the seams.

visit to Seoul, an agreement was reached concerning The fact that the North Korean dictatorship, which has

military cooperation, which aroused in South Korean come under well-founded suspicion, is abrogating the

military circles the hope of conducting joint exercises Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty [NPT], comes very with Russia, where they are very familiar with their close to being a declaration of war to everyone. If this

former ally in the north of the Korean Peninsula. breaking out of the nonproliferation regime remains

What we have here is a dangerous situation, caused by uncorrected, as a result of the country's own insight or

the desire of the United States to impose solutions to through external pressure, the results are impossible to

international problems that are convenient for itself, by predict and full of danger. The first nuclear weapon in

resorting to forcible pressure or acting through interna- the wrong hands alters the global situation.

tional organizations, without taking into account the

sovereignty or the interests of particular countries. That Pyongyang did not accede to the treaty until 1985. Since

was how things stood in Panama and the Persian Gulf, then the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy

that is how things stand in the former Yugoslavia and the Agency have been having a hard time. Information about

Korean Peninsula. The difficulty of the situation consists advanced nuclear armament is now available. The

of the fact that, now that it is rid of the counterbalance of Vienna authority wanted an on-site inspection, and

the Soviet Union and has acquired an ally in the form of North Korea slammed the door shut: The secret nuclear

"democratic" Russia, Washington is losing its sense of armament becomes open.

moderation. If it stays at that, not only is the cartel shattered, a cartel

In this connection, one's attention is drawn to the calm, of older nuclear powers-all of them members of the UN

confident voice of Beijing, which has called for a polit- Security Council-that was established in the Nonpro- ical resolution to the problem-through negotiations and liferation Treaty in 1968 and essentially maintained

consultations. The question is whether anyone in Wash- until today; but a continuous race by smaller powers will

ington, and also in Moscow and the other capitals which also be unleashed, in East Asia perhaps by South Korea

are supporting the U.S. extremist course on the Korean and Japan. Then, unlike in the system of bipolarity,

Peninsula, is listening to the warning tone of Beijing's nuclear weapons can no longer be caught in the blockade

appeal. The People's Republic of China has substantial of first strike and second strike capabilities, or be intepowers of influence at its disposal, including the right of grated in a complicated system of treaties and controls.

veto in the UN Security Council.

The Korean side has a basis for political solutions. A The North Korean regime has no friends. It is almost

DPRK Government statement of 12 March 1993 says autistic, financially ruined by its government and its

that "all questions will find an unimpeded resolution," if brutal Marxism, overtaxed by armament, driven by

the U.S. will renounce threats and the IAEA will proceed paranoid fear, and shielded against the outside world,

on the principle of impartiality in its approach to the sclerotic at the top. The country is impenetrable and

DPRK. But two meetings between North Korean and unpredictable even for the closest neighbors. Does this

American representatives, held in Beijing immediately now involve ending the tentative negotiation process

after completion of the "Team Spirit-93" exercises (the with the South? Does the North, which has nothing but

most recent was on 19 March), yielded no results. The weapons, want to obtain better cards in the unification

Americans did not come to the negotiations with any process? Is it a matter of finding out an external enemy,

desire to reconcile the positions, but with an ultimatum: in order to keep the population at bay? The harsh war cry they demanded that Pyongyang reverse its decision to from the North suggests such conclusions.

withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

and unconditionally carry out IAEA decisions. Wash- Just how close the regime's technicians are to the bomb

ington announced its intention to get a UN Security is concealed from the outside world. It would not be

Council resolution to adopt sanctions against the DPRK. logical, however, if North Korea were to pay the price of

As long as the American policy of diktat is not countered loneliness without having the bomb within range or

by any effective opposition on the part of the sound- already having it. Tests have not been recorded, but for

thinking segment of the world community, the threat of a primitive weapon they are also dispensable. Missile

new bloodshed on the Korean Peninsula, in the imme- trajectories have been observed, however, and the

diate vicinity of the borders of Russia and China, will regime also exports medium-range systems to the councontinue, tries of some gloomy-looking gentlemen.

German Commentary Views NPT Withdrawal The Chinese leadership is now being tested. Itself

involved in armaments, it cannot regard North Korea's

'Full of Danger' adventure with pleasure. Beijing needs constancy and

93 WPOJ 1 7B Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER control for its economic modernization. The confidence

ALLGEMEINE in German 18 Mar 93 p I of the Chinese living abroad, who bring in the greater

part of the investments, needs to be cultivated. In recent

[Commentary by Michael Stuermer: Deterrence or years the relationship with the United States has also

Crash"] improved, and the People's Republic has played a role in
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 15

the Security Council. Playing the protector of the sinister talks between North Korea and the United States that

neighbor would bear a high price. And why should China took place Wednesday in Beijing, Western diplomats in

want to tolerate another Asian nuclear power in addition Tokyo and Seoul consider their assumptions confirmed

to itself? The entire region would be forced into unrest. that the action was well-planned and, to a certain extent

China's great power play is of a different kind. It follows as a semi-bluff, served a double purpose for Pyongyang:

Chinese interests, not the North Korean constraints. On the one hand the apparently spontaneous withdrawal

from the treaty during the "Team Spirit" maneuver in

Nuclear weapons are absolute weapons, and are not to be the south was the only certain and legal opportunity to

confused with other weapons or civilian power. Since lock out the inspectors from the International Atomic

defense is hardly possible, they are, combined with Energy Agency in Vienna. Everything indicates that,

missiles, weapons of the ultimate strike, but not of using new methods of analysis, they were in the process

warfare. Where the potential victim does not possess of finding out about the nuclear weapons production,

invulnerable second-strike capabilities, however, the disawoved as nonmilitary by North Korea, of even small

nuclear weapon carries the constant temptation of a first amounts of radioactive material. Second, the regime's

strike, once and for all. It is what the world fears if the war cry was apparently intended to stun the 21 million

nonproliferation regime, which is already endangered by North Koreans cut off from the outside world, possibly

a dozen threshold nations from Israel to India, were to even to silence protesting voices.

become impotent and obsolete. Even without North

Korea's withdrawal from the-weak--contractual obli- It is indisputable that there is an increasingly major

gations, it would long since have been time to deal with shortage of increasingly more goods in economically

greater urgency with fencing in the nuclear weapons after ruined North Korea. The only speculation concerns the

the Cold War. extent of the difficulties. No one knows whether in fact

There is danger ahead. The nonabrogation clause does trains are already coming to a halt, whether the populanot provide for specific sanctions. But during the three- tion must be satisfied with one and a half modest meals

month withdrawal period the contractual obligations a day, and due to the scarcity of energy the factories use

continue to be in force. Above all, however, it is recog- only 40 percent of their production capacity, as was

nized in international law-and this has prevented many asserted on Wednesday by the ASIAN WALL STREET

countries from crossing the threshold-that breaking the JOURNAL. A former adviser to President Kim Il-song

Nonproliferation Treaty involves a violation of peace who defected to South Korea said in Seoul that the North

and international security according to the UN Charter. could survive at most another two years. But the supply

This challenges the Security Council, and it must take cou sudie atfmos at t tw e ut terspl

action. NATO as well must see that this is a case of situation is judged differently by the unofficial German

Article Four of the Washington Agreement. It involves representation in Pyongyang, which works with half a

the question of whether the nuclear issue will continue to dozen employees in the Swedish mission. A rapid colbe a factor in global structural formation or whether it is lapse should not be anticipated: North Korea and the

disrupting the world, dynastic regime of its two Kims could last for years, it

If nothing drastic takes place, beyond consternation in was said, although only at the most modest level. The

the West and anxiety in the Far East, then the most representation is now sending a cautious warning to the

important international structure of order is just s Foreign Ministry. By radio it reported that Pyongyang

much paper. The effort to universalize the Nonprolifer- already lifted the blackout on Tuesday; the waration Treaty and its principles would be broken. The mongering incitement campaigns of the party organs

power of the West to convince the Soviet Union's have been relegated from the first to the back pages. In

nuclear successor nations would enter a vacuum. If the opinion of the German observer in Pyongyang, the

dissuasion does not work and deterrence has no power, bombshell of withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonprolifthen the plunge will follow. eration Treaty was orchestrated by the leadership to

gather the people in fear behind their unpopular "dear

'Speculations Continue' leader" Kim Chong-il, who does not enjoy a reputation

93 WPO1177A Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER even remotely approaching his father's. The regime had

ALLGEMEINE in German 19 Mar 93 p 14 even prepared a reply to possible sanctions by the UN

Security Council.

[Article by Uwe Schmitt: "A Half-Bluff by the Two

Kims; North Korea's War Cries Intended Above All To As unpredictable as the North Korean Government may

Stun Own People"] be and may want to be, which effortlessly found the way

[Text] The suspicion is growing increasingly strong that back to its Stalinist battle cry of "wiping out the aggresNorth Korea's astonishing abrogation of the Nuclear sors" on holy ground, accused half the world of lying and

Nonproliferation Treaty [NPT] and its threats of war swore not to make "any empty threats," it is also as

against "the U.S. imperialists and their South Korean obvious that an attack on rich, highly armed South

puppets" were primarily intended to intimidate and Korea, which furthermore is under the conventional as

mobilize the domestic population. After the first secret well as nuclear protection of the United States, would be
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

suicidal. In the event of an attack the South Korean "I believe the sale may be on a company-to-company

armed forces would have at least six hours of early basis and has nothing to do with the government," Najib

warning time, according to information by Defense said after Singapore reportedly agreed to block transhipMinister Kwon Yong-hae. No troop movements that ment of the vessels.

differ from the usual countermaneuvers during "Team News reports said Singapore had told its local shipping

Spirit" have been observed so far. On the other hand, the agent not to tranship the vessels to Libya in accordance

chief of the South Korean intelligence service Kim Tok with sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security

does not want to exclude "major or minor military Council.

provocations." Even Beijing, North Korea's last halfhearted ally, is said to have expressed concern and Najib said he did not believe local firms had the techindirect disapproval over the North Korean withdrawal nology to build such vessels, a day after his deputy

at a meeting of minister, Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan, expressed a similar the 35 board members of the Interna- sniet

tional Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. It was hoped sentiment.

that the situation would not develop into a crisis. The "This is the first time I am hearing of this. We have to

whole world is hoping that Beijing will use its influence verify the truth of this report," Fadzil was Saturday

accordingly. quoted by the local BUSINESS TIMES daily as saying.

A U.N. report said American and British experts had The speculations continue. Will North Korea, as one claimed that the vessels, called reactors, could be used to

news agency surmises, immediately seek to resume talks prepare chemicals for use in chemical weapons. Libya

with Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo as soon as the had said the vessels were for its oil industry.

maneuvers in the South are over, since the improvement

of relations and the cancellation of the treaty are The sale emerged at a recent meeting of a U.N. Security

"another problem?" Will the United States leave behind Council committee monitoring the year-old sanctions

weapons, equipment, and a part of the 19,000 additional against Libya, imposed after Tripoli refused to surrender

for trial in Britain or the United States two men susmaneuver troops at the request of South Korea? The pected of involvement in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am

Seoul government has always made it clear that it will flight over Lockerbie, Scotland.

neither respond to Pyongyang's action with armed force

nor offer the North cancellation of "Team Spirit 94" as Fadzil was reported as saying that Malaysia was cona counteroffer for returning to the Nuclear Nonprolifer- tinuing its trade relations with Libya as the sanctions

ation Treaty. One of the most original speculations against the country were only imposed by Washington

among diplomats in Tokyo even judges the withdrawal and its allies.

to be a camouflaged measure for relaxing tensions: Meanwhile, an official of the Malaysian Iron and Steel

Assuming that North Korea actually has nuclear produc- Industries Federation was quoted by BUSINESS TIMES

tion facilities to conceal, inspections would have led to as saying its members have the capability to produce the

dangerous incidents and possibly to a military interven- high-technology stainless steel vessels.

tion by the United Nations. Barring the inspectors would therefore be a form of preservation of international "We have been producing such vessels for a variety of

threfore, bpurposes, both for the domestic and export markets, but security. we do not know their end-use," Soong Siew Hoong, the

federation's president said.

MALAYSIA Soong said the federation would not know whether its

members were producing reactors for Libya.

Investigation of Libyan Chemical Weapons Aid

BK0304161693 Hong Kong AFP in English 0903 GMT SOUTH KOREA

3 Apr 93

[Text] KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (AFP)--Malaysia SK3003022993 Seoul, U.S. Agree Seoul to YONHAP 'Tougher in Action' English on 0202 DPRK GMT

Saturday [3 April] ordered a probe into a report that a 03022993

Kuala Lumpur firm had manufactured and was 30 Mar 93

exporting eight stainless steel vessels to Libya via Singapore for making chemical weapons. [Text] Washington, March 29 [date as received] (YONHAP)-Foreign Minister Han Sung-chu said Monday Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak said he had no that South Korea and the United States had agreed that

knowledge of the report but would order an investiga- it was desirable to take tough measures progressively and

tion. in stages against North Korea over the nuclear issue.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 17

"Tougher action (against North Korea) can be taken if all inevitable for the United Nations Security Council to

efforts to dissuade it from leaving the Nuclear Non- take up the North Korean nuclear issue, Han said.

proliferation Treaty fail," Han told Korean correspondents, winding up his talks with U.S. Government China also realized that North Korea should not be

leaders. allowed to possess nuclear weapons, Han said.

The efforts would include letters or visits with North THAILAND

Korean leaders by the United Nations secretary-general

or chairman of the Security Council, adoption of a

Security Council resolution and dialogue between South Thais Working on Libyan Chemical Weapons

and North Korea or between North Korea and the

United States, Han said. Plants 'High Risk Factor'

Han thus indicated that South Korea and the United BK2803084193 Bangkok SIAM POST in Thai

States intend to try and persuade North Korea first and 28 Mar 93 pp 1, 2

then impose sanctions if Pyongyang persists in refusing [Text] A high-level intelligence source has informed

to accept special inspections by the International Atomic SIAM POST on 27 March that the Thai Government is

Energy Agency (IAEA) of its nuclear facilities, facing acute pressure from countries opposing the proIn their efforts to persuade North Korea, South o duction of chemical weapons. The move is spearheaded

Ind their erts toterswuade NrthKrea, SuthKorea by the United States which has reliable information that

and the United States would take a two-pronged Thai nationals are participating in the chemical weapons

approach, Han said. project in Libya.

Declaring that referring the North Korean nuclear issue According to the source, the Libyan Government conto the U.N. Security Council was no longer avoidable, tacted a Thai company to work on the construction of

Han said that South Korea and the United States would the chemical weapons plant, which was delayed after the

try to convince North Korea of the adverse consequences withdrawal of German and Japanese firms and their

of its refusal to accept IAEA special inspections through technical expertise at the request of the United States.

international organizations. Construction of the plant first began in early 1985.

At the same time, in their separate contacts with North The source said the participation of Thai nationals in the

Korea, South Korea and the United States would try to Libyan project was based on their self interest and that

explain the "positive side" if Pyongyang retracts its the Thai Government had no knowledge of it. The Thai

decision to withdraw from the NPT and accepts special firm disguised its business as a worker exporting estabIAEA inspections, Han said. lishment, but it did not even have a Labor Department

Han stressed, however, that it wasn't the right time for permit.

South Korea, the United States and North Korea to hold According to the source, there is evidence attesting to

a conference or high-level U.S.-North Korean talks. Thai nationals working in the Libyan chemical plant. In

interviews with the media, returning Thai workers told

The current councilor-level contact between North of the plant's high risk factor and about being issued with

Korea and the United States in Beijing was good enough, only one gas mask each.

Han said.

The source said a campaign against chemical weapons But other levels of contact should not be ruled out, Han began in 1925, with the United States and 28 other

added, hinting that high-level talks between Washington countries including Thailand signing a convention in

and Pyongyang could be a possibility. Switzerland banning the use of chemical and biological

weapons. However, the convention did not ban its

Han acknowledged that the question of military action production, development, or storage.

against North Korea was being raised by certain quarters

in the United States, but said it was never brought up in The source said: "Based on its humanitarian concern,

his talks with officials of President Bill Clinton's admin- the United States became thepioneer in opposing counistration. tries producing chemical weapons and brought that to

the attention of the United Nations. Favorable response

"Stopping North Korea from possessing nuclear arms from the UK, France, Germany, and Japan resulted in a

without resorting to a military clash is our paramount temporary halt to the Libyan chemical plant project,

goal," Han said. until its revival as the result of the assistance of the

selfish Thai group." Han said he had asked the Clinton administration to

urge China to persuade North Korea. The source said that after getting concrete information

about participation of Thai nationals, the United States

Though China wanted to take time in persuading North persuaded the international community to sign a treaty

Korea, Beijing, too, would come to believe that it was against chemical weapons. Libya refused to join the
JPRS-TND-93-O10

18 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

treaty and tried to carry on with its project. Therefore, they refused to comply with the request. One of the

the United States turned pressure on Thailand to iden- companies claimed that Thai workers were working in a

tify the group participating in the Libyan project. tap water production plant and a military medical supply

The source concluded: "In case Thailand fails to factory.

respond, the United States will appeal to Western coun- A source in the National Security Council revealed that

tries to impose sanctions against countries supporting the tap water plant is a part of the project because clean

the project. Thailand will not be able to avoid the water is needed for production of chemical weapons. The

repercussions. Thai agencies are now cooperating fully in construction of the plant has been completed. The plant

checking the information to block Thai nationals from is now producing clean water for the production of

participating in the Libyan project." chemical weapons and is closely controlled by Thai

engineers and a number of Libyan workers. The chemical weapons project, under the supervision of the

Three Companies Linked Libyan Technology Institute, is scheduled to be comBK2903133993 Bangkok SIAM POST in Thai pleted in 1994.

29 Mar 93 pp 1, 2

After completion of the project, Libya will use its chem-

[Text] According to additional information provided for ical weapons as tools for political bargaining which is

SIAM POST by a high-level source in the Prime Minis- against the convention which banned the use of chemcial

ter's Office about heavy pressure levied on Thailand by weapons-also signed by Thailand. Libya refused to sign

the United States in response to the participation of Thai the convention. Since Thailand is a signatory of that

workers in the Libyan chemical weapons project, at least convention, involvement in the project by three private

three Thai private companies were involved in sending Thai companies lead Thailand to have problems with the

Thai workers to Libya for the project. Two of them have world community and the major powers.

their head offices in Bangkok and the other in Chiang

Mai Province. All three companies are owned by Thai A source from the Labor Skill Development Department

nationals who formerly worked in Libya. told SIAM POST that there is a large number of Thai

workers in Libya, but less than one percent are involved

The companies disguised their businesses as worker- in the project. One of the three companies disclosed that

exporting establishments and operated without permits these workers replaced German and Japanese laborers

from the Labor Department. The owner of one of the who withdrew from the project in 1986. There are 900 three companies was once arrested on a charge of illegal workers who have replaced the Japanese and German

possession of firearm ammunition and explosives. The

evidence gathered by authorities also indicates that he workers in 73 positions.

was involved in producing large quantities of explosives A number of Thai workers filed complaints with the

to ship to Libya. department that they have not received pay for their

In addition to their worker-exporting business, the three service in Libya. After inquiries, the companies said

companies were reportedly supplying materials, equip- Libya had not transferred the money to them. Some

ment, and tools to Libya because the latter is unable to workers complained that the companies have embezzled

maintain direct contact with foreign producers following their money.

the imposition of UN sanctions. A Thai worker who used to work for the project disclosed

Acting as procurers for Libya, the three companies make that the plant's safety system was very poor. Thai

a large profit and commission from the goods they send workers were at a high risk of exposure to chemicals.

to libya. Libya is forced to pay as high as 500 percent Only one gas mask was issued to each worker. At least

over normal prices for the goods. Through very subtle two Thai workers had to be hospitalized for exposure to

methods, the companies send the goods to Libya with chemicals and their fates are still unknown.

workers if they are not too big to carry. If the goods are

too big, they will be taken apart and reassembled in The same worker confirmed that the report on Thais

Libya. They have earned hundreds of millions of baht working in the chemcial weapons plant in Libya is true.

from doing business there. The owner of the company But the majority are not directly involved in weapons

whose head office is in Chiang Mai has not less than one production and only a few are aware of the facts.

billion baht in savings with the Arab Bank Corporation Workers were told that they were constructing a tunnel

in Singapore in the form of LC accounts. system to fetch water to new communities in Libya.

The Thai Government, in particular the National Secu- Besides the three companies, professors from the faculty

rity Council and Foreign Ministry, is reportedly well

aware of the problem and knows that such business can of engineering of a renowned educational institute in a

adversely affect Thailand's image in the world commu- province are involved in the construction of the tunnel

nity. Hence, the Foreign Ministry summoned the owners known as Project 300. The tunnel is, in fact, an underof the three companies for questioning and asked them ground chemical weapons plant that cannot be detected

to stop meddling with the chemical weapons project; but by satellite or attacked by air.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 19

More on Participation H., owned by Mr. A.N. [abbreviated names of compaBK3003104193 Bangkok SIAM POST in Thai nies and owners as published].

30 Mar 93 p 3 In particular, the company owned by Mr. A. Th. was

responsible for sending 900 Thai nationals to replace the

[Article: "Thai Companies Join the Production of German and Japanese workers while taking over the

Deadly Weapons For Libya"] procurement of supplies and construction work from the

k town German and Japanese firms. Company W. is hired as a

[Text] Russian politics has become the talk of thet subcontractor responsible for operating public facilities

in comparison with the latest world developments and construction work under the project. Company H.

reported by renowned foreign news agencies including supplies chemists and researchers for Plant Pharma 150. CNN, VISNEWS, and Reuter. However, people are now Since the head office of Company H. is situated in

beginning to turn their attention to Libya's chemical Chiang Mai Province, professors and engineers from the

weapons projects again. This issue lost its publicity C re al ow instiuteofer edcinhe be

durin theGulfwar.local renowned institute of higher education have been

during the Gulf war. recruited to serve as advisors for the project.

Libya has been labelled by the West, in particular the In 1989 the United States exposed Libya's chemical

United States, as "the culprit" responsible for the oper- weapons project based on photos taken by its spy satelation of various terrorist movements. Despite several weans proec based o phtosutaken by Te

measures designed to put pressure on Libya, nobody lites and applied measures to put pressure on Libya. The

seems to be able to put an end to the absurdity of the plant was closed temporarily. Libya falsely announced seemsn toaer that the plant was destroyed by a fire.

Libyan leader.

The first attempt of Libya to produce chemical weapons Following a short period of inactivity, Libya revived the

to threaten the world community was in 1984. The project with the participation of the three Thai companies.

Libyan Government set aside a huge amount of money

to hire private companies with the required technical New equipment and tools were clandestinely brought to skills and purchased materials and equipment from Libya with Thai workers. Some were taken apart and

Germany, Italy, Switzerland and other Asian countries reassembled after their arrival in Libya. Libya is unable including Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and even Thailand. to purchase the equipment and tools directly from European countries due to the UN air embargo. Although the

The project advanced rapidly because production of chem- prices are as much as 500 percent higher, Libya is willing

ical weapons is uncomplicated and requires the same to pay for them.

technology used for production of powerful explosives.

Chemical experts confirm that any country with medium- With full supplies and equipment, the project was revived.

sized petrochemical industries, especially OPEC members, However, the plant was moved to a new site in Tarhunan

is capable of producing chemical weapons. township, 65 km from Tripoli. The new plant, renamed

Project 300, referred to among the Thai workers as Site 3,

Moreover, the chemicals used for production of the was built exactly the same as Plant Pharma 150.

weapons can be destroyed within a few hours without

leaving any traces for later detection. The new plant is situated in two connected giant underground tunnels constructed in the desert by Company W.

For these reasons, ill-intentioned countries wish to have and scheduled to be completed in 1995. According to U.S.

their own chemical weapons plants so that they can use intelligence, the plant will concentrate on producing nerve

the lethal ordnance, as good as nuclear weapons but gas.

cheaper, to increase their bargaining power. Libya apparently has no respect for the convention which bans With its bitter Plant Pharma 150 experiences, Libya

chemical weapons use. decided to build the new plant underground to prevent

satellite detection and air attacks.

The chemical weapons project is under the supervision

of the Technology Center Libya [name published in Thai workers not involved in the project were told that

English], which incorporates a chemical research center, the two giant tunnels are used to fetch water from the

known as Pharma 150 [name published in English], huge underground water source in the Sahara Desert to

mainly relying on supplies of chemicals and equipment communities along the coast.

from private companies in Japan and Germany. After

the withdrawal of the Japanese and German companies In any event, the tap water plant allegedly built by the

from the project due to U.S. pressure in 1985, private Thai companies does provide clean water for the chemThai companies were given the opportunity to take over ical weapons plant because clean water is one of the

the tasks of the Japanese and German firms, major parts of producing the deadly arms.

Three former Thai workers in Libya formed three com- The revival of the Libyan chemical weapons project has

panies to do profitable business there. The three compa- been closely watched by the United States. The particinies are Company S., owned by A. Th.; Company W., pation of the Thai private companies in Libyan lethal

owned by Mr. Ch. in Chiang Mai Province; and Comany weapons projects is a breach of the convention on
JPRS-TND-93-010

20 EAST ASIA 16 April 1993

banning chemical weapons as Thailand is also a signa- United States about Thai private companies supplying

tory to the agreement. More importantly, Thailand is workers for chemical weapons projects in Libya. He said

acting blatantly against the resolution of the world he went to the United States in February to give an

community. If the government allows the interests of a explanation to the U.S. State Department in Washington

few people to impair the country's image and prestige, D.C. on this matter. The United States understands that,

Thailand will be viewed as notoriously as Libya. as a democratic country, Thailand cannot impose a

restriction on its people.

Report of Up to 25,000 Workers Gen. Charan said Thailand realizes the danger of chemBK3003045593 Bangkok BANGKOK POST in English ical weapons and is opposed to it, but it cannot impose a

30 Mar 93 p 2 restriction on Thai workers. The Thai Government did

[Text] Labour attaches in Egypt will investigate a report send the director general of the Labor Department to

that Thais are working at a suspected chemical weapons Libya to persuade Thai workers to return home. It also

plant in Rabta, Libya Deputy Interior Minister Suthat asked their families to try to convince them to return.

Ngoenmuen said yesterday. This shows that Thailand never encouraged its workers to look for jobs in Libya. Yet, the effort to dissuade them

A press report has said that three Thai job placement was not very fruitful.

firms have sent Thai, workers to the Rabta plant, which "We even told the job placement companies which sent

the United States previously threatened to bomb. the Thai workers to the Libyan chemical weapons plant

He said there are about 25,000 Thai workers in Libya, not to send more workers there. Anyway, as a free

but only 12,000 were sent by the Skilled Labour Devel- democratic country, we cannot impose a ban. The

opment Department. United States, which is a model democracy itself, must

understand that it would be a violation of human rights

The rest went there by way of Egypt. if we imposed a ban," the secretary general of the

None of the workers sent by the department are at Rabta, National Security Council said.

he said. Most Thai workers in Libya are laying pipelines Gen. Charan said the United States should think careand building tunnels. Others are carpenters, masons, fully if it wants to sanction Thailand for this. However,

equipment operators and cooks, he added. he believes his mission was successful in explaining to

Thailand has no embassy in Libya, he said, so the the United States.

Interior Ministry has instructed Thai labour attaches in To a remark by reporters that Germany and Japan,

Cairo to investigate the reports about Rabta which is which are also democratic countries, called back their

believed to be the site of a chemical weapons factory. workers from Libya, Gen. Charan asked them which law

Mr Suthas said seven job placement companies supply could force workers to return home. He asked them workers to Libya, of which three reportedly sent Thai whether human rights should be violated. He said

workers to Rabta during 1989-1990. German and Japanese firms called back their workers.

As for Thai companies, Gen. Charan said they pulled

They were warned by the Foreign and Interior ministries out, but their contracts with workers were still valid.

to stop doing this, he added. "We cannot switch off immediately. We had a large

Two of the three companies are W & M and S.P.C. number of workers in Libya, but the number has been

Supachoke. greatly reduced over the past year. Besides, there are also

those working in other fields in Libya. We, therefore, do

Thailand is obliged to oppose chemical weapons, he said, not want to offend Libya for fear that our workers will be

and the Foreign and Interior ministries had informed the affected," Gen. Charan said.

United States that no Thai workers would be sent to

Rabta, which is about 90 kilometres south of the Libyan Granting an interview on the same day, Deputy Interior

capital Tripoli. Minister Suthat Ngoenmun said that there are presently

seven Thai private companies exporting workers to

In January 1989 the United States threatened to launch Libya. They are: the B.P.B. Company, P.P.C. Construcan air strike against the suspected chemical weapons tion (Thailand) Company, Kuta Company, Udon E.P.A.

plant, where about 700 Thais were reported to be Company, Criston Company, Bisco Company, and

working. Travel Master Company. Those companies send workers

for jobs regularly. Meanwhile, three other companies,

Security Council Head Responds the W. and M. Company, N.S. Group, and S.C.P.

BK3003115193 Bangkok SIAM POST in Thai Suphachok Company, sent Thai workers to Libya during

30 Mar 93 pp 1, 2 1989-1990. The S.C.P. Suphachok Company sent about

1,000 Thai workers who have fulfilled their contracts

[Text] General Charan Kunlawanit, secretary general of and returned home. There are no more Thai workers

the National Security Council, said during an interview who were exported by the S.C.P. Suphachok Company in

on 29 March that Thailand had already explained to the Libya now. The Labor Skill Development Department
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 EAST ASIA 21

also terminated permission for the company to send workers to Libya. Furthermore, none of the eight private

Thai workers to Libya in 199 1. companies which exported workers through the Labor

Skill Development Department ever sent workers to the Suthat said there are about 25,000 Thai workers in chemical plant. If it is determined that they sent workers

Libya, and 12,000 of them are working with permits there, they will face arrest or have their licenses withwhile another 13,000 went without permits from the drawn. The Labor Skill Development Department also

Labor Skill Development Department. The workers who checked at the office of the S.C.P. Suphachok Company, have gone through the process set up by the Labor Skill 34/131 Wiphawadi 60, Bangkhen, Bangkok, and found

Development Department have their travel contracts that the company closed down operations two years ago.

with the department, which can be checked. Most of The minister said he is checking with the Commerce

them are in Libya on contract to build water tunnels, lay Ministry for the names of the board members and

oil pipelines, and work as carpenters, masons, chauf- owners of the three companies cited in the reports. This

feurs, cooks, or officials in charge of community devel- should be known by 31 March.

opment. Chatchai Hongthong, manager of the Handle Group,

The deputy interior minister said that because we have said he did not know that the name of his company was

no labor office in Libya, it cannot be verified what the reported as being involved in construction of the Libyan

other 13,000 Thai workers are doing there. The Foreign chemical plant. He said his company is a small construcand Interior Ministries temporarily suspended permis- tion contractor company, founded about a year ago, and

sion to allow Thais to work in (Lotta), where the chem- it deals with small projects in Thailand only. Now it is

ical project is located. Anyway, the suspension has been bidding for tap water work on a housing project, and has

lifted after the situation returned to normal. Workers are nothing to do with Libya.

now allowed to go there. But from checking, there are no

Thai workers in (Lotta). "I am a construction engineer. I worked as a foreman

once in Libya, between 1984 and 1987. I have no

Regarding three companies mentioned in reports who knowledge about weapons manufacturing. I only read

sent Thai workers to assignments on the chemical project from magazines on tap water work once and learned that

in Libya, Deputy Interior Minister Suthat said that, from some Korean firms are involved in the chemical

checking, it was determined that none of them sent weapons project in Libya," Chatchai said.
JPRS-TND-93-010

22 EAST EUROPE 16 April 1993

SLOVAKIA car belonging to the Fizik brothers, in which uranium

was found. Jan Farkas was apprehended and interroProminent Businessman Accused of Uranium gated. [passage omitted]

Trafficking By the decision of the investigator at the Police Corps

LD3003221693 Prague CTK in English 1950 GMT District Office in Zvolen, criminal proceedings were

30 Mar 93 launched against Jan Fizik, Juraj Fizik, and-by a separate decision-against Jan Farkas, for the crime

[Text] Banska Bystrica, Central Slovakia March 30 according to Article 124a, paragraph I, of the penal code,

(CTK)-On Monday Slovak police found about three that is, for having in his possession radioisotopes of

kilogrammes of uranium with isotopes 235 and 238 in a uranium 235 and 238, to an amount of about 2.86 kg. In

car in Zvolen, Central Slovakia, police investigator Jan January 1992, Jan Farkas sold it in exchange for a

Dedko told CTK. Mitsubishi car, worth some 1 million korunas. It was

treated, of course, without the necessary precautions.

The land office investigator in Banska Bystrica, Central Accor

Slovakia, is prosecuting three people for violating the ac ding to the testimony, brothers Jan and Juraj

rulings on handling controlled goods and technologies acquired it from Jan Farkas, on his offering them comiAll the accused, still at liberty, are punishable with three pensation for their financial support in the election years in prison, campaign of the Party of Security and Labor in 1992.

According to the two accused men, they provided more

Banska Bystrica police confirmed that one of the accused than 1 million korunas to the leader of this party to boost

was the successful Romany businessman Jan Farkas his election success. Jan Farkas promised them, if he is

from Rimavska Sobota, South Slovakia. successful in the elections, that their money would

multiply several times over, and would be returned to

According to police information, the seized material them.

comes from Russia. The hygienists confirmed that the

uranium contained the mentioned isotopes but in view Well, what does it have to do with uranium? Jan Farkas

of the amount the population was not exposed to radia- offered them the aforementioned uranium 235 and 238

tion risk. as compensation for their funds [provided in the election

campaign]. Moreover, he promised that he would help

The investigator rejected the suspicion that the reloca- sell it and acquire $200,000.

tion of the uranium could be connected with the Czech The material was tested in a laboratory in the Special Republic or Germany but he did not mention the desti- Department of the Hygiene and Epidemiology in Banska

Bystrica, and it was confirmed that the material actually

Uranium with isotope 235 is used after enrichment in consists of radio-nuclides [radionuklidy] to which spenuclear power engineering. Its commercial price is bol- cial rules of distribution and regime apply.

stered by the fact that plutonium and neptunium, It was also found that this radioactive material was

applied in the armament industry for the production of acquired in and transported from the VLK [expansion

nuclear weapons, are manufactured from it. unknown] Company in Rimavska Sobota, whose owner

is Farkas. It was supposed to be distributed to certain

Police Arrest, Interrogate Uranium Smugglers entities in the Topolcany district. Jan Farkas is denying everything and says that these are fabrications. [passage A U0704100093 Bratislava SMENA in Slovak omitted] [Bratislava NARODNA OBRODA in Slovak

3 Apr 93 p 9 on 5 April on page 1, in a 200-word TA SR article

entitled "J. Farkas in Custody," states the following:

[By Aneta Hofmannova: "Clouds Over the King's "According to information provided by Jozef Simko,

Crown"] Commander of the District Command of the Police

Corps of the Slovak Republic in Rimavska Sobota, Jan

[Excerpts] In recent days, the case of Jan Farkas of Farkas was arrested on the basis of a warrant delivered to

Rimavska Sobota has been frequently discussed in the the District Command from the Regional Court in

papers. His name has appeared in connection with the Banska Bystrica on Saturday [3 April]."
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA 23

INDIA Touching on the NPT issue he said "India was second to

none in promoting the idea of non-proliferation, but

reiterated that the treaty itself was discriminatory." Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Under

Development Referring to a recent statement made by Dr Michael

93WPO114A Bombay THE SUNDAY TIMES OF Reiss, who had worked with a former U.S. National

INDIA in English 21 Feb 93 p 6 Security Adviser, Mr Brent Scowcroft, that India could

think of subscribing to fullscope safeguards, Dr

Chidambaram felt if this was done it would hinder

[Article: "BARC Developing New Reactor"] technology development.

[Text] Bombay, February 20. India is currently in the Dr Chidambaram said that India could review its stand

process of developing an advanced heavy water reactor on the NPT during the world conference in 1995.

which is stated to be the only one of its kind in the world.

This was announced here today by the chairman of the IRAQ

atomic energy commission, Dr R. Chidambaram, at a "meet-the-press" programme organised at the Bombay Nuclear Weapons Program Discussed

press club here today. 93WPO118A Moscow NEW TIMES INTERNATIONAL

Explaining some of the salient features of the advanced in English No 9, Feb 93 pp 22-25

reactor being designed by the Bhabha Atomic Research

Centre [BARC] scientists, Dr Chidambaram said it was [Article by Yakov Borovoy: "The History of the Bomb"]

expected to be economically competitive and equipped

with a "passive safety system." [Text] The beginning of Saddam Husayn's nuclear programme, as he aspired to become "the Arab nation's

"The new reactor would be evolutionary rather than mailed fist," dates back to the mid-1960s. Who could

revolutionary," he told newspersons adding that it would help him carry out his plans? Of course, the Soviet Union

incorporate some of the latest technologies, which completely supported the new Iraqi leader's "progressive reforms" and his "wise anti-imperialist policy," Speaking to this reporter, BARC's director of reactor and not only verbally. Late in the 1960s the USSR

design and development, Mr Anil Kakodkar, said that supplied Baghdad with a five megawatt nuclear reactor

the concept behind the design of the new advanced capable of producing plutonium, that very component reactor was to "maximise the use of electrical energy which is used in manufacturing nuclear weapons.

from thorium with minimum use of plutonium. The

combination is being introduced for the first time," he In 1969 Iraq signed the Nuclear Weapons Nonsaid. Proliferation Treaty. The reactor fell under the control of

Mr Kakodkar said the plan initially envisages the reactor the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the

Meneatoikag generating 220 sad megawatts. tegawatts. intiallyenvisagesg "At present a design tudy rea study organization peaceful use which of atomic was, energy. in particular, After to the supervise Treaty was the

was in progress and thereafter, a feasibility report would signed, aad m Hnelost altere frehis fiv

be sid.signed, pepard,"he Saddam Husayn lost all interest for his five

be prepared," he said. megawatt-strong "present."

According to Mr Kakodkar the advantage of this new

system is that a consumer would have to pay less for Around Osirak, or enemies all around

electricity. The cost of developing this advanced reactor Searches for new partners brought the Iraqi leader to

has yet to be worked out, Dr Chidambaram said. Paris. In September 1975 Saddam Husayn conducted

While explaining the numerous advantages of nuclear negotiations with French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac

power, Dr Chidambaram said one of the main con- on supplies to Iraq of three reactors (more powerful than

straints in its development and progress in India was the the Soviet one), Tammouz 1, Tammouz 2 and Osirak.

availability of finance. The sides agreed to cooperate, and soon a secret nuclear

complex able to produce dozens of kilos of enriched

"Borrowing money from public institutions was also uranium appeared 17 km southwest from Baghdad. The

expensive," he said. This was because the interest rate Iraqi nuclear programme became a reality.

was now 18 per cent as against 12 to 13 per cent earlier. This course of events in no way suited Israel. Tel Aviv

Dr Chidambaram said that BARC was also developing had no illusions as to where and against whom the Iraqi

its robotics programme and currently it was being used A-bomb would be used. Saddam Husayn didn't even try in areas like uncapping bottles containing plutonium. to conceal his intentions. Long before Desert Storm

Operation the Baghdad dictator threatened to "burn half In the recent past the centre had fabricated the most the Israeli territory with Iraqi fire."

powerful parallel processing system which, according to

Dr Chidambaram, could be better than the super- In response to such demarches, the Israeli secret services

computer. initiated preventive "retaliatory actions."
JPRS-TND-93-010

24 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA 16 April 1993

On April 5, 1979, the main components of the atomic on the US selling double-purpose technology used for

reactor due to be shipped to Iraq were seriously damaged both civil and military needs. Only nine months before

by an explosion at a depot in the French Mediterranian the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, President Bush issued a

sea port La Seyne. secret memo named Resolution in the Area of National

Security. This letter assigned the US state structures the

On June 14, 1980, the Egyptian physicist Yahya al- task of establishing closer contacts with Baghdad and

Mashhad who was in charge of the Iraqi nuclear pro- allowing new aid amounting to one thousand million

gramme was killed in Paris. dollars. George Bush not only signed this letter, he also

Finally, on early Sunday morning on June 7, 1981, the personally called banker Draper, his close friend since

Israeli Air Force dealt a powerful blow to the nuclear Yale days, requesting him to "agree to finance American

reactor Osirak, inflicting it serious damage. projects in Iraq." The Export-Import Bank which previously rejected this dubious deal, gave in. As a result, Iraq

Israel also started a "diplomatic offensive" against managed to spend these thousand million dollars on

France which was eventually crowned with success: in buying agricultural products in the USA, using the saved

1983 France officially terminated cooperation with Iraq currency for manufacturing an A-bomb.

in the nuclear energy sphere. Evidently the Americans came to see Husayn as an

But this wasn't to put an end to Baghdad's nuclear important barrier to Islamic fundamentalism. Only this

ambitions. The country had accumulated tremendous "fervent Arab nationalist" is in a position to thwart

reserves of unenriched uranium which it received in the Tehran's plans to establish domination in the Middle

1970s from Brazil, Portugal, China and Nigeria in East. The Americans hoped that US aid would force

exchange for the Iraqi oil. Unenriched uranium was also Husayn to act in a more restrained way and even play a

mined by Iraqi political prisoners in the north of the positive role in a peace process in the region. It's not for

country. Nothing much remained to be accomplished- nothing that US State Secretary James Baker chose

to buy the technology and centrifuges for enriching the namely his Iraqi counterpart, Tariq Aziz, as a person

uranium. who would fulfil this delicate assignment of persuading

the PLO to enter negotiations with Israel, having prom- To this end, Husayn poured thousands of millions of ised Iraq several hundred million dollars' worth military

dollars. Hundreds of nuclear physicists and engineers aid for the commission.

were recruited from other Arab countries, Germany,

Brazil and Italy and paid exorbitant salaries. All research Peter Rodman, the senior figure in the National Security

work was conducted in absolute secrecy. "Enemies are Council of the Reagan and Bush Administrations, stated

all around," taught "the leader of the Arab nation." "If cynically: Iraq was a natural ally of moderate Arab

not the Iranians, then the Israelis; if not the Israelis, then countries; it was Egypt's ally; it played a constructive role

the Americans..." in the Middle East peace process. What does it matter if

Saddam is a bandit and a murderer, this doesn't change

"So, what does it matter if Saddam is a bandit and a the essence of the situation... Under pressure from the

murderer..." pro-Iraqi lobby in the US echelons of power, the idea of

Most hearty relations were established between the imposing economic sanctions against Baghdad's regime

United States and Unitd Baghdad during the Iran-Iraq war. On was rejected three times during 1990 (the third time a Bagdaddurng Sate an he Ian-raqwar On month before the aggression against Kuwait occurred).

March 15, 1982, the Iraqi regime was struck off the

"terrorist list" by the US State Department. The CIA The economic result of it all is as follows: because of

handed Baghdad top-secret information about Iran's delayed payments, American taxpayers won't have back

military potential and Tehran's war preparations and two thousand million dollars out of the five thousand

plans, mainly through third countries. The CIA men million dollars in aid extended to Iraq over eight years.

were proud that from American spy satellite photographs it was clear whether "warriors of Allah" had

shaven themselves before battle... A couple of bottles of vodka for a kilo of uranium

Apart from covert assistance, from 1985 till 1990 the US The Baghdad leaders' "anti-imperialist political course"

Trade Ministry issued licences to 750 American compa- has always found support in Moscow. On April 9, 1972,

nies to provide goods for Iraqi military needs. The deals the Soviet Union signed a Friendship and Cooperation

totalled one and a half thousand million dollars. Among Treaty with Iraq. Since that time the USSR has been the

other items, Baghdad received equipment for nuclear major supplier of the Iraqi armed forces. According to

energy enterprises. An IBM supercomputer alone played Western intelligence, Iraq received over nine kilos of

an extremely important role in efforts to produce an uranium by the summer of 1990. By the way, this

A-bomb. quantity of uranium, after being enriched, is quite

enough to make one A-bomb as powerful as that

US ex-President George Bush was especially active in exploded by Americans over Nagasaki. Soviet experts

aiding Iraq. As early as during his vice-presidency in worked at Iraqi nuclear installations. In a way, the West

1987, he met with Nizar Hamdun, the Iraqi Ambassador and the Soviet Union sort of devided spheres of influto Washington, and assured him that Baghdad could rely ence in Iraq: the USSR sent unenriched uranium and
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA 25

nuclear experts there and the Western countries, high will be no problem to organize production of A-bombs

technology and related materials. with the help of these materials. I'm shocked."

Official contacts with Baghdad were terminated at the In the meantime, Russia upgrades protection over her

start of the Desert Storm. Soviet experts, including those nuclear raw materials. A relevant draft law is now under

who were directly or indirectly connected with making consideration in the Parliament: new articles have been

the A-bomb, returned back home. But the old ties introduced into the Penal Code of the Russian Federaremained... tion.

According to the Western mass media, last autumn an

international underworld group smuggled a large quan- The monster on the shores of Tigris and Euphrates

tity of uranium from one of the Russian plants with the

help of corrupt state officials in Moscow. This uranium However, other countries have also contributed to the

was to be brought to the Iraqi Embassy in Sofia and building of the military monster on the shores of Tigris forwarded to Baghdad by diplomatic mail. Should this and Euphrates. Germany supplied components for

deal had taken place, Saddam Husayn would have installations producing "super-centrifuges" which allow availed himself of the possibility to make about 20 a more effective process of enriching uranium, to the nuclear bombs several times more powerful than those degrees necessary for making nuclear weapons. The which destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. know-how for centrifuges of the new generation was developed by German, British and Dutch scientists. On

This criminal group included a British arms trader, a the whole, over a hundred German enterprises took part

Swedish businessman and two Polish entrepreneurs. in strengthening Iraqi military potential. The biggest

German chemicals concerns vehemently fought for the

They were a mere cover for a heterogeneous company of right to supply equipment for manufacturing poisonous

Russian and Bulgarian military and Party apparatchiks gases: those same gases which were used to destroy

eager to make millions of dollars on this deadly com- Iranian "warriors of Allah," peaceful Kurds in the north

modity. "The deal of the century" failed only because of of Iraq and defectors from the Iraqi Army in the moors

the vigilance of a British diplomat who accidentally of southern Iraq...

learned that 200 kilos of uranium could be bought in

Bulgaria for cash. Italians equipped radiochemical laboratories and supplied other equipment for Saddam's nuclear programme.

A consignment of uranium was earlier confiscated in Italy's biggest bank granted Iraq an unprecedentedly

Germany, destined to be used by Iraq for military large loan of $4,000 million for the development of its

purposes, having been smuggled in from Eastern Europe. military industrial complex.

A Swiss businessman, a Dane and Yugoslav were Belgians helped assemble the uranium-enriching instalarrested in 1991 in Italy in connection with the discovery lation in al-Qayn.

of illegal supplies of uranium leaving Russia. Brazilians taught the Iraqi military aerodynamics, carTwo former Soviet citizens were arrested in Germany in rying out test flights and controlling rocket trajectories.

March 1992 for trying to sell 1.2 kilos of enriched Brazil also exported electronic equipment and rocket

uranium for DM [Deutsche marks] 1.9 million, fuel to Iraq. These two countries signed a secret agreement on building an installation for enriching natural

Late in 1992 a consignment of uranium weighing "only" uranium supplied, incidentally, also by Brazil.

250 kilograms was confiscated in Poland. The traces led

to a small Udmurt town of Glazov. The workers of a The project of making Condor missiles was carried out

defence enterprise kept the smuggled strategic raw mate- in cooperation with Argentina and Egypt.

rials in... their own apartments' bathrooms amidst soap A Canadian engineer Gerald Bull, subsequently elimiand detergents. They sold uranium for the fantastic price nated by the Israeli intelligence Mossad in Brussels,

of a couple of bottles of vodka per kilo! provided assistance to Iraq in making the jet superIn a word, the impression is that nothing is easier than cannon Babylone...

stealing radioactive materials from 151 Russian instal- In a word, thanks to the efforts by the world community,

lations connected with extracting, enriching and manu- in August 1990 Iraq was, in the opinion of Hans Blix,

facturing uranium. Director-General of IAEA, "12 to 18 months from

The Russian firms extracting and processing radioactive making atomic weapons."

materials refuse point blank to admit to the fact of their

disappearance from their factories. Nevertheless, these The mysteries of the Baghdad Court

deadly substances travel around Europe in search of

Baghdad merchants. As a rule, these searches are suc- In the course of the Desert Storm Operation, Husayn's

cessful. And as concerns Russian experts in nuclear regime was heavily wounded, but not completely

physics, one of them, Sergey Mironov, has said: "There destroyed, making it doubly dangerous today.
JPRS-TND-93-010

26 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA 16 April 1993

Iraq's military potential wasn't destroyed by the allies' Iraqi intelligence. Commercial travellers from Baghdad,

bombings. Carefully disguised installations, capable of acting also through intermediaries and dummy compamanufacturing nuclear weapons, remained intact in the nies, rush around the world in search of weapons of the

north mountains of the country. So, George Bush was late Warsaw Pact sold at dumping prices.

obviously mistaken when he said that surgically precise

attacks put an end to Saddam's nuclear activities for a It's practically impossible to drop out of this risky

long time. The underground factories and laboratories game-"defectors" are eliminated. In December 1992

are still active. According to estimates by American an Iraqi nuclear physicist who decided to "share" with

secret services, Husayn has concealed at least 20 instal- journalists information about "the secret programme for

lations capable of producing enriched uranium. Despite creating an A-bomb" and who named those internaIraq's official statistics (claiming that there are only 500 tional companies which were helping Husayn's efforts,

grams of insufficiently enriched uranium in the country), bypassing the UN resolutions, was killed at Husayn's

Western secret services believe that actually Saddam has order in Amman. When seven of the executed scientist's

accumulated about 40 kilograms of this radioactive colleagues condemned this terrorist action, they were

material. also court-marshalled and executed.

As before top-class specialists from the world over work An American senator George Mitchell one said: "The

now for Iraqi war machine. They are payed generously dictator we help today may turn his arms against us

for their services but are always in danger of being tomorrow." This is precisely what has happened. Unforeliminated by Mossad. tunately, as is well known, the lessons of history, even

recent, teach us that they teach us nothing.

After the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 687 [Begin boxed item, p 22]

demanding the liquidation of all Iraq's weapons of mass

destruction and the discontinuation of its nuclear pro- Our Reference

grammes, several nuclear scientists as well as uranium

were smuggled to Algeria. Iraq managed to overcome the Enriching uranium is the process of artificially

military blockade of its coasts and borders and deliver increasing the percentage of fissionable uranium 235

over 10 tons of unenriched uranium to Jordan. From which makes only 0.7% of ordinary uranium. The differthere it was transferred to Algeria by sea. They fear in ence between the specific weights of two isotopes of

"Western intelligence communities" that these two Arab uranium is used. Uranium is turned into a gaseous state

countries, Iraq and Algeria, have formed "a nuclear and passed through centrifuges. Under the effect of the

axis" with the purpose of creating the Islamic world's centrifugal forces, the concentration of the heavier isofirst A-bomb. The Algerian reactor which is situated 100 tope, uranium 238, increases. This isotope serves as the

miles south of the capital in Ain-Oussera was built by the source of plutonium, secondary nuclear fuel.

Chinese and is of a yield adequate to produce two

A-bombs every three years. Last year this information [End boxed item]

was divulged by the world's leading news agencies and, [Begin boxed item, p 24]

naturally, immediately disavowed by the Algerian

authorities who claim that the reactor operates under Our Reference

strict control by IAEA.

Chief of the National Central Bureau of Interpol in

However, according to the data by IAEA, there have Russia Lieutenant General Vasily Ignatov claims that

remained secret mobile installations for enriching ura- "the journalists who wrote TV or newspaper pieces

nium in Iraq itself. They can't be traced by either about buying enriched uranium in Russia were either

international inspectors or spy satellites, because these victims of the scoundrels they wanted to unmask or at

mobile mini-reactors daily change their positions times made far-fetched interpretations."

throughout the country. Saddam Husayn's behaviour

resembles what is called "minor faults" in sports, i.e., the [End boxed item]

attempts to impede the contender's activity by unlawful

means, but not such as will entail a serious reprimand. Swiss Firms Accused of Supplying Nuclear

Program

To buy the required equipment, Saddam Husayn uses

secret dummy accounts in various banks around the LD2403115193 Bern Swiss Radio International

world. Part of the money is withdrawn from the dicta- in English 1100 GMT 24 Mar 93

tor's personal accounts-his assets are estimated at $30 [Text] Swiss firms have been accused of supplying key

thousand million. Only recently the Iraqi authorities parts for Iraq's nuclear program during the 1980s.

have put on the world market several kilos of gold from

Husayn's personal reserves kept outside Iraq. This German-language Swiss television says a secret report by

money is used by at least 44 entrepreneurs active in United Nations weapons inspectors shows that nearly

dozens of countries. This broad secret commercial net- one fifth of 600 key parts came from Switzerland. They

work is headed by Saddam's most trusted man, his included components which could be used to produce

brother Barzan Ibrahim who, in his time, headed the enriched uranium and make nuclear arms parts.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 NEAR EAST & SOUTH ASIA 27

However, a Swiss Government official said the material Iraqi nuclear scientists, the journal reports, have

had been exported to Iraq before the invasion of Kuwait advanced much closer to the creation of a bomb than

in 1990 and there was therefore no legal reason for Swiss their colleagues in Libya or Algeria. What their task in

authorities to ban exports to Iraq. these centers amounts to, therefore, is to observe local

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was in cadres, with the object of using them later in Iraq.

contact with the Swiss authorities over the issue, but a Another important mission is to accost Soviet and Chigovernment spokesman said there had been no official nese nuclear scientists who are not averse to cooperating

discussions. with Iraq but cannot get to Baghdad. The salaries of

these people are set at 2,000 dollars a month. Strictly

speaking, nuclear scientists from the CIS are not going to

Russian Scientist Said To Help Arms Program Algeria and Libya directly but through third countries.

93WPOI30A Moscow SOBESEDNIK in Russian No 7, This was reported to Arab journalists, in particular, by

Feb 93 [signed to press 15 Feb 93] p 12 someone named "Viktor." He used to work in a secret

research institute in Moscow. He signed a contract in

[Article by Aleksey Shumilin (special to SOBESEDNIK), Moscow with some Libyan organization to do "peaceful

Cairo: .'Viktor'-Father of the Iraqi Atomic Bomb?"] atomic" research. He moved to Tripoli and was followed

soon after by his family. He is getting the salary he was

[Text] While the Russian foreign intelligence service was promised, fully confident that he is working for the

gathering material for the sensational report about pos- Libyan outfit, but in reality he is under constant surveilsessors of nuclear weapons (see SOBESEDNIK, No 5), lance. Asked whether he is precisely aware, in the framethe Egyptian journal ROSE AL-YUSUF made an inde- work of his research, where the boundary between the

pendent investigation of a secret inter-Arab network "peaceful" and the "military" atom lies, he chose to

recruiting and using nuclear scientists to create Saddam answer with a thoughtful silence.

Husayn's atomic bomb. Persons from the CIS countries

are also involved. According to the Egyptian journalists' estimates, there

are around two dozen such "Viktors" from Russia and

The journal's published material indicates that the main the other CIS countries in Libya alone. About 10 Russian

countries doing research and development in these fields nuclear physicists have made their way to Algeria by

and actively amassing "intellectual potential" are Iraq, various routes.

Libya, and Algeria. Late last year, one group of Iraqi scientists opposed to

Husayn Kamal, Iraq's military industry minister and Saddam's regime told representatives of the InternaPresident Saddam Husayn's brother/son-in-law, is tional Atomic Energy Agency about many secret nuclear

forming special groups of scientists and sending them to facilities in Iraq and about the research effort that is soon

Algeria and Libya via Jordan. Officially, they are going to provide Saddam Husayn with the "red button" he

to do contract work in the Ayn-Asir Nuclear Energy craves. Scientists are convinced that if this happens, the

Center in a suburb of Algeria's capital and in the nuclear world-literally-could find itself on the verge of

chemistry center at a university in Tripoli. nuclear catastrophe.
JPRS-TND-93-010

28 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT Russian, Ukrainian Positions on Nuclear

STATES Weapons

Correspondent Reports Nuclear Smuggling from Russia Issues Statement

CIS LD0504164093 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service

LD2903193093 Moscow Ostankino Television First in Russian 1030 GMT 5 Apr 93

Channel Network in Russian 1800 GMT 26 Mar 93

["The Government of the Russian Federation Has

[Video report by correspondent Vladimir Kondratyev; Issued a Statement With Regard to Nuclear Weapons

from the "Novosti" newscast] Stationed on the Territory of Ukraine"-ITAR-TASS

headline]

[Text] Despite the soothing statements by those responsible in the CIS that a leak of nuclear material overseas is [Text] Moscow, 5 Apr (ITAR-TASS)-The government

practically impossible, the Federal Republic of Germany of the Russian Federation has issued a statement here. It

is already speaking openly about the appearance of a new says:

so-called nuclear mafia from the East. [video shows Recently the situation around nuclear weapons stationed

staged reconstruction of material handover] on the territory of Ukraine has sharply deteriorated.

One of the latest arrests of people trading in uranium and Ukrainian representatives plainly declare that these

plutonium, useful for making nuclear weapons, took nuclear weapons belong to Ukraine. Such statements can

place in a car park. The authorities are so far not making only be interpreted as a claim by Ukraine to the possesthe exact location and the full names of those arrested sion of nuclear weapons.

when a Polish citizen handed over highly dangerous This stance adopted by the Ukrainian leadership indicontraband to a known female German citizen. The cates direct violation of the decision adopted by the CIS

dosimeter went right off the clock when the contraband heads of state on 6 July 1992 about the participation of

was confiscated. CIS member states in the treaty on nonproliferation of

According to federal criminal department information, nuclear weapons. According to this decision, which had

more than 100 attempts to buy radioactive material in also been signed by Ukraine President Leonid Kravchuk,

the FRG were uncovered in the past year alone. It is the Russian Federation is the only state out of all the

assumed that this is just the tip of the iceberg, because legal successors of the USSR to possess nuclear weapons.

the police are not omnipotent. [video shows radioac- Other CIS member states have decided to join the treaty

tivity symbols, train, signs in German saying on nonproliferation of nuclear weapons in the capacity

Bundeskriminalamt and Security Zone] of states not possessing nuclear weapons.

Specialists have been shocked by the carelessness with Kiev's claims to the possession of nuclear weapons

which this cargo is being transported and stored. They stationed on the territory of Ukraine also violate the

can contaminate the water table, and cause fear and Lisbon protocol to the START I treaty according to

panic for whole towns, says Zachert, president of the which Ukraine undertook an obligation to join in the

department. [video now shows two persons in protective very near future the treaty on nonproliferation of nuclear

clothing and respirators approaching a luggage locker; weapons in the capacity of a nuclear-free state. The

unidentified man in suit interviewed in German, fading written statement of the Ukrainian side with regard to

into Russian report] the signing of that protocol clearly indicates that "the

right and responsibility of possessing nuclear weapons of

Fifteen kilos of caesium, which explodes on contact with the former USSR has been given solely to the Russian

air, have just been found on former Eastern bloc smug- Federation with the express agreement of Ukraine and

glers on the Swiss- German border. It was being kept in all the other legal successors of the former USSR."

two milk churns. [video shows Swiss customs post,

resumes interview with unidentified man in German, Kiev's policy is also at variance with Ukraine's commitfading into Russian report] ments with regard to the withdrawal of nuclear weapons

from its territory with the aim of dismantling and

It will probably not be possible to fight against the new destroying them by the end of 1994. On the contrary,

business. As the chief of the department said in Wiesba- Ukraine is taking practical steps aimed at taking nuclear

den, up to $3,000 has been asked for a few grams of weapons on the territory of this country into its own

fissile material, so the risk is worth it. [video shows hands. Thus, already in April 1992, the rocket and air

briefcase opened to reveal large quantity of German army, together with combat units and subunits stationed

marks, metal container with radioactivity symbol and in Ukraine, were included in the composition of the

the word Caution! in Russian] The criminal agency now Ukrainian Armed Forces. Later, a new staff structure

needs at least 500 extra employees to resist the nuclear was formed in its armed forces-the center for the

mafia. But thus far, there have not been that many administrative control of troops of the Ukrainian Minvolunteers for this sort of work. istry of Defense's strategic nuclear forces. By a decision
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 29

of the ministry's main headquarters, all nuclear- Russia is also ready to solve constructively the issue of

equipment units stationed in Ukraine were placed under the utilization of nuclear weapons, which is of interest to

the center's command. The personnel of two such units the Ukrainian side, in such a way that the nuclear

in charge of over 600 nuclear munitions swore allegiance substances that are retrieved could be used as fuel for

to Ukraine. The list of actions of this kind grows longer Ukrainian atomic power stations. The Russian side has

by the day. In connection with the above-mentioned, the already put forward its proposals on this account. Now it

government of the Russian Federation considers it nec- is Kiev's turn.

essary to state the following: Taking into account the special importance of ensuring

Russia, understanding its great responsibility to the the safety of nuclear weapons, the Russian Federation is

world community, is firmly advocating that the nuclear ready to fulfill all the tasks aimed at maintaining these

weapons that are temporarily sited on Ukraine territory weapons in Ukrainian territory in a safe state given the

should be under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federa- understanding that the Ukrainian side will provide all

tion. The position of Ukraine, which opposes this in the necessary conditions.

violation of commitments taken upon itself, is fraught A responsible moment has arrived when a balanced

with extremely dangerous consequences. The effective- decision should be taken immediately, a decision that is

ness of the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons regime is not aimed at obtaining political or other dividends. The

under threat. peoples of both Ukraine and Russia and the whole

international community will gain from it.

A question mark is put over whether the START I and

START II treaties will come into effect; i.e., over the For its part, Russia is ready to solve immediately all the

process of real nuclear disarmament. above-mentioned problems within the framework of the

Russian-Ukrainian talks currently under way.

The government of the Russian Federation would like to

draw attention to the undisputed fact that nuclear Ukraine in 'Flagrant Violation'

weapons cannot belong to a nuclear-free state. Only a OW0504113093 Moscow INTERFAX in English

nuclear state can possess such weapons. It has to be 1101 GMT 5 Apr 93

emphasized that the safety of nuclear weapons is indivisible. It can only be ensured through a system of links [Following item transmitted via KYODO]

connected in series under a single command and control.

This matter is too serious and it calls for a responsible [Text] The Russian Government takes note of the

attitude. All legal and political prerequisites are already increased tension resulting from the controversy over the

in place. It is now just a question of implementing them. nuclear weapons stationed in Ukraine. "Ukrainian

Nuclear weapons cannot and must not be an object of spokesmen insist that this weaponry is Ukraine's proppolitical games. erty. Such declarations are tantamount to Ukraine

claiming ownership of a nuclear capability," says a

For its part, Russia as a nuclear state is prepared to go its Russian government statement made public in Moscow

part of the way, in response to Ukraine's appeals, in Monday [5 April].

order to make it easier for Ukraine to meet its international commitments. As a depository of the treaty on This course of the Ukrainian leadership is in flagrant

nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, Russia is prepared violation of the July 6, 1992 decision adopted by the

to provide, along with other depositories, namely the heads of CIS states on the CIS member states adhering to

United States and the United Kingdom, guarantees of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. By that decision,

Ukraine's security, in accordance with the wishes of the of all the USSR's successors, Russia alone would remain

Ukrainian side. These guarantees are to come into effect a nuclear power.

after Ukraine joins the treaty as a nonnuclear state. Kiev's claims to ownership of nuclear weapons also

signal a violation of the Lisbon protocol appended to the

In addition to solving the issue of ensuring the safety of START-1 treaty whereby Ukraine undertook to join the

nuclear arms in Ukraine and striving to fully remove all Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state.

anxiety regarding these arms, the Russian side proposes The course taken by the Kiev government is also incomto detach as quickly as possible the front sections from patible with the commitments to remove nuclear weapthe missiles stationed in Ukrainian territory and to take onry from Ukrainian territory for dismantling and

all nuclear armaments to Russia where they will be destruction by the end of 1994.

subsequently destroyed under Ukraine's control as stipulated by the Russian-Ukrainian agreement signed in The Russian government statement insists that the

April 1992. In order to completely exclude the possible Ukrainian authorities take practical steps to take over

use of nuclear weapons from Ukrainian territory, in the nuclear weaponry stationed in the country. In paraddition to political guarantees (which are quite suffi- ticular, back in April 1992 the units of a rocket and an air

cient as they are) all the weapon-delivery vehicles could force army stationed in Ukraine were incorporated into

be relieved of flight assignments within the next few the Ukrainian armed forces. Later, a new structure, the

months. Center for Administrative Command of Strategic
JPRS-TND-93-010

30 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

Nuclear Forces, was set up in the Ukrainian Defense carrying out practical measures testifying to its desire to

Ministry. That Center took over all nuclear technical possess nuclear weapons, Russian Deputy Defence Minunits stationed on Ukrainian soil. ister Boris Gromov said.

Russia insists that the nuclear weapons temporarily He spoke at a press conference today which was held in

deployed in Ukraine remain under the jurisdiction of the connection with the Russian Government's statement conRussian Federation. The statement goes on to say that cerning nuclear weapons deployed on Ukraine's territory.

Kiev's opposition to this, in contravention of its earlier

commitments, may result in extremely dangerous conse- Mindful of the fact that Ukraine officially stated that it

quences. "The nonproliferation of nuclear weapons is will join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as a

endangered and doubt is cast on the ratification of nuclear-free state shortly, the Russian side came up with

START-I and START-2 treaties, or on the process of the proposal to take under its jurisdiction the nuclear

real nuclear disarmament." The government of Russia weaponry temporarily deployed on Ukraine's territory.

says that nuclear weaponry cannot be owned by a non- However, Ukraine did not accept this proposal.

nuclear state; the safety of nuclear weapons is indivis- "Being aware of the crisis situation regarding nuclear

ible. It can be assured only by an integrated system of safety that has formed in Ukraine and the unpredictelements under united management and supervision, ability of possible consequences in the event of accidents

Nuclear weaponry cannot be turned into a political involving nuclear weapons, we believe it is nucessary

football, that the next round of talks with Ukraine shall return

Moscow declared that, as a depositary of the Nuclear once again to solving this problem in the hope that the

Nonproliferation Treaty, Russia is prepared to grant, Ukrainian side will continue these talks in the more

together with other depositaries, the U.S. and Great constructive vein," Gromov said.

Britain, the security guarantees that Kiev wants as soon Russia attaches immense importance to Ukraine's move

as Ukraine joins that treaty as a nonnuclear state. to join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as a nuclearRussia suggests that as soon as possible the warheads be free state, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory

separated from the missiles stationed in Ukraine and Berdennikov said. This is very important as a conference

removed to Russia for destruction under Ukraine's to review the nuclear non-proliferation treaty should

supervision. To eliminate the possibility of delivering take place in 1995. It will decide the issue of extending

nuclear weapons from Ukrainian soil, the political guar- this treaty and Russia advocates that it be extended for

antees can be supplemented by removing mission profile unlimited duration.

programs from all delivery capabilities, the statement In case a new nuclear state emerges, this may put in peril

goes on. the entire nuclear non-proliferation regime and serve as

Russia is also prepared to resolve constructively the issue a very dangerous precedent for other countries that are

that Kiev raised, utilization of the nuclear warheads as on the verge of acquiring the nuclear capability. "In this

fuel in Ukrainian power stations. regard, we are interested in the commitments voluntarily

assumed by Ukraine to be fulfilled as soon as possible,"

Because it is very important to see to it that nuclear Berdennikov emphasised.

weapons do not go out of control, Russia is prepared to

perform all activities required to maintain safety of such Differences Over START Viewed

weapons on Ukrainian soil "on the understanding that MK0604111493 Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY

the Ukrainian side creates a favorable climate for that." in Russian 6 Apr 93 p 9

The Russian government states that Moscow is prepared

to resolve all these problems in the course of Russo- [Viktor Zamyatin report: "Russian-Ukrainian DifferUkrainian negotiations now underway. ences Over START. Moscow Does Not Agree With

Kiev's Arguments"]

Nuclear-Free Status Urged [Text] In its statement yesterday, the Russian Government expressed concern over Ukraine's actions testifying LD0504164793 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English to its desire to acquire the status of a nuclear power. The

1550 GMT 5 Apr 93 statement was delivered after the Russian and U.S.

Presidents had expressed the hope in Vancouver that all

the former USSR's countries would join the Treaty on [By ITAR-TASS diplomatic correspondents Boris the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Krivoshey and Aleksandr Krylovich]

Yuriy Dubinin, head of the Russian delegation to the

[Text] Moscow April 5 TASS-The situation that has talks with Ukraine, set out the essence of the statement at

formed around nuclear weapons which are temporarily a briefing yesterday. He noted that Kiev, despite its

deployed on Ukraine's territory has generated increasing statements about wanting nonnuclear status, is carrying

concern lately because Ukrainian leaders, contrary to out measures testifying to the reverse. In particular, in

their statement on Ukraine's nuclear-free status, are 1992 Ukraine included the 43d Missile Army and the
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 31

46th Air Army in the composition of its armed forces, However, the real technical condition of the nuclear

and the Center for Administrative Control of Strategic munitions on Ukrainian territory is indeed causing speNuclear Forces Troops was recently created within the cialists entirely justified concern. Scheduled mainteUkrainian Defense Ministry. Russia, which the U.S. nance of nuclear charges is more than 10 months

President supported in Vancouver, believes that nuclear overdue here. These charges are being kept in dumps

weapons cannot have "two masters." According to Dubi- alongside warheads from strategic ballistic missiles. The

nin, Moscow intends to return to the discussion of this concentration of assemblies [bloki] and warheads in one

question in the near future. He also said that Russia's building is more than seven times the norm.

proposals had already been conveyed to Ukraine, and

now it remains to wait for its reaction. In justifying the All this not only drastically increases the background

dragging out of nuclear disarmament, Kiev is advancing radiation in the arsenals, but can also, specialists claim,

both political reasons (nuclear weapons are a factor cause nuclear munitions to end up in an uncontrollable

deterring "Moscow's imperial ambitions") and financial state and may result in emergencies and an unauthorized

reasons (Ukraine's experts believe that implementing the explosion. They claim that such an explosion may not

START- 1 Treaty will cost the republic $2.8 billion, while necessarily be a nuclear explosion, but, in terms of its

the United States is promising it only $175 million of consequences in the form of the dispersal of fissionable

aid). Moscow rejects these arguments and considers the material-weapons-grade plutonium, uranium-and the

guarantee of Ukraine's security on the part of Russia and radioactive contamination of soil and water, it may

the United States to be entirely adequate. Yevgeniy indeed be comparable to the results of the Chernobyl

Ambartsumov, head of the Russian parliamentary com- catastrophe.

mittee for international affairs, noted that Ukraine is This must not be used to scare people, it is simply

obviously "testing the water as to retaining its nuclear Thisamusto be u tare peoe it isumly stats,"whih wll akeRussa'sratfictio ofthe necessary to be aware of it. There are roughly 1,200 status," which will make Russia's ratification of the nuclear warhead assemblies [yadernyye bloki] for straSTART-2 Treaty much harder. Tomorrow KOMMER- ncerwredasmle ydr~eboi o ta SANT-DALY willy acquaitreader Tomorowih s Ukr s tegic missiles on Ukrainian territory and more than 600 SANT-DAILY will acquaint readers with Ukraine's air-launched cruise missile warhead assemblies. reaction to the Russian Government's statement. According to the information at our disposal, 446 stra-

[Article contains the following boxed text] tegic missile warhead assemblies and 162 cruise missiles

did not have the necessary chemical components guarCurrently there are 1,600 nuclear warheads in Ukraine anteeing their total nuclear safety changed during 1992

on: or the first three months of 1993. 130 SS- 19 (15A25) intercontinental missiles; 46 SS-24 (RS-22) intercontinental missiles; Nuclear specialists describe these components as absor24 Tu-95MS heavy bombers; bents, which act as filters to neutralize the gases given off

19 Tu-M160 heavy bombers; by the nuclear charges during protracted storage, impede

the formation of combustible compounds in them, and

Russia's proposals conveyed to Ukraine: thus prevent emergencies from arising.

to transfer all nuclear weapons located in Ukraine exclu- Ukraine does not produce these components. What is

sively to Russian jurisdiction morain e do not haveete e legal Wht to

to remove warheads and to transport to Russia and more, its specialists do not have the legal right to

destroy under Ukrainian control all nuclear ammunition dismantle or assemble these munitions or change particto discontinue training sorties by delivery vehicles in ular components in them since the republic is not a

Ukraine nuclear power and cannot authorize its citizens to carry

to use salvageable nuclear ammunition for fuel for out this work.

Ukrainian nuclear electric power stations At the same time, Russia too, which does possess these

to create a system to supervise nuclear weapons on components, effectively does not have the legal right to

Ukrainian territory change them. Ukraine has declared the nuclear warheads

to be its property. For Russian specialists to carry out

any work on these warheads means acknowledging Nuclear Arms 'Pose Danger' Ukraine to be a nuclear power and backing its decision,

PM0704085193 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian and this constitutes a most flagrant breach of the nuclear

7 Apr 93 First Edition p 5 nonproliferation treaty, of which Russia is a depositary.

So we have a juridical deadlock and a legal moot point

[By Viktor Litovkin: "Nuclear Warheads in Ukraine which the leaders of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry

Pose Danger"] brought upon themselves and others by announcing the

creation of the Center for the Control of Strategic

Nuclear Forces and virtually placing all nuclear-

[Text] Relations between Ukraine and Russia have again technical bases under their own command.

worsened over the nuclear weapons sited on Ukrainian

territory. The Russian Government statement issued "The nuclear munitions sited in Ukraine do not in fact

Monday [5 April] is evidence of that. have a real owner today," I was told at a Russian Defense
JPRS-TND-93-010

32 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

Ministry main directorate, "there is no one to call Otherwise, they say, Ukraine must openly state that it is

anyone to account for their safety and good technical becoming a nuclear power and take full legal and techcondition and no one to be called to account." nical responsibility for the nuclear safety of these

weapons and for the other international legal conseTwo rounds of talks between government delegations quences.

from the two countries held on Russia's initiative in One thing alone must not be allowed: uncertainty as to

order to ensure proper care of nuclear weapons and their which state the nuclear munitions belong to. Experts

technical security have ended in failure. The Ukrainian joke bleakly that it is impossible to be "slightly pregside is insisting that these weapons belong to Ukraine nant." It is a question of either-or. One thing or the

and is refusing to allow the Russian side the necessary other.

opportunities to carry out guaranteed maintenance on

the nuclear warheads. News Conference on Arms

PM0604181193 Moscow KRASNA YA ZVEZDA

The Ukrainian officials' statement regarding Russia's in Russian 7 Apr 93 pp 1, 3

desire to deprive Ukraine of its right to compensation for

the components of these weapons is totally unfounded, I [Oleg Vladykin report: "Do Not Set a Dangerous Precewas told by Colonel General Yevgeniy Maslin, one of the dent; Question of Siting Nuclear Weapons on Ukrainian

participants in the intergovernmental talks and head of a Territory"]

Russian Defense Ministry main directorate. They are

well aware that the communique signed by Presidents [Text] A news conference for Russian and foreign jourKravchuk and Yeltsin says that these components are to nalists was held in Moscow on Monday 5 April in

be processed for use as fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power connection with the Russian Government statement on

stations. And Russia is ready to agree on that. the question of the siting of nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory. Opening this conference, Russian Deputy

But while talks are under way, how can the nuclear safety Foreign Minister Grigoriy Berdennikov said that the

of the warhead assemblies on Ukrainian territory be talks with Ukraine on the problems of the latter's subensured? scribing to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty as a

nuclear-free state and its ratifying the START I Treaty

have not hitherto borne any fruit. This is accordingly Col. Gen. Yevgeniy Maslin said that there may be giving rise to concern, as reflected in the published

statement, since it may set a dangerous precedent. If

another nuclear state emerges, the whole nuclear non-

"First," the general said, "the nuclear munitions of proliferation regime may be placed in jeopardy.

long-range cruise missiles for heavy strategic bombers

should be placed in a state of reduced combat readiness Ambassador at Large Yuriy Dubinin, head of the Rusand taken to central factory gate bases for subsequent sian state delegation at the talks with Ukraine, drew

disassembly, as envisaged by the agreement between the journalists' attention to the Russian Federation's readitwo countries. Under Ukrainian supervision, more- ness to perform all the tasks of keeping the nuclear

over." weapons safe in their current locations on the territory of

the former union republics. According to him, the UkraiSecond, he said, ballistic missile nose cones and their nian side was handed the draft of the relevant agreement.

warhead assemblies should be taken to central factory This speaks in particular of ensuring warranty and

gate bases for the same purpose--disassembly. That can manufacturer's inspection of missile system maintebe done within 18 months. And third-and perhaps nance [garantiyniy i avtorskiy kontrol za eksplutatsiyey

most important-the targeting information [poletnyye raketnykh kompleksov]. What is more, in order to

zadaniya] should be removed from all nuclear weapon remove all concern over nuclear weapons, the Russian

delivery vehicles in Ukraine and the world community delegation has proposed detaching [otstykovat] the nose

secured against an unauthorized nuclear missile launch. sections of the missiles sited on Ukrainian territory within a very short period and bringing all nuclear munitions to Russia for subsequent destruction.

Other specialists think that if Ukraine does not want to

remove these munitions before the question of repro- Colonel General Boris Gromov, Russian Federation

cessing them as nuclear fuel for its nuclear power sta- deputy defense minister, who spoke at the press confertions is resolved it could have the option of transferring ence, stressed that despite statements regarding its nonall the nuclear technical and missile technical support nuclear status the Ukrainian leadership is taking pracbases and arsenals to Russian jurisdiction. Russia could tical steps that attest to Ukraine's desire to possess

then take full responsibility for preserving the security of nuclear weapons. In particular, he pointed out, the

the dread weapons and make pledges regarding their Ukrainian president's edict No. 209 of 5 April 1992,

material-technical, ecological, and financial mainte- followed by an order issued by the Ukrainian defense

nance throughout the duration of their temporary minister, incorporated the 43d Missile and 46th Air

sojourn on Ukrainian territory. Armies (176 missile launchers and 43 strategic bombers)
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 33

in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In May 1992 the per- The artificially created excitement around the nuclear

sonnel of two nuclear-technical troop units of the 46th weapons on the territory of Ukraine is aimed at

Air Army, where roughly 670 strategic nuclear munitions achieving Russia's jurisdiction over these weapons, so

are stationed, swore the Ukrainian military oath. All this that Ukraine may be deprived of its right to compensaindicates that control has effectively been established tion for the components of the weapons.

over these munitions and the Ukrainian side has begun

handling them [nachata ikh ekspluatatsiya]. What is Therefore, we are dealing with yet another attempt to

more, the subunits guarding the missile systems are blackmail and intimidate us.

being manned solely by citizens of the republic. Ukraine Ukraine has repeatedly stated and states now that it is

has thus acquired an opportunity in principle to use ready to discuss and resolve, at any level, problems of

nuclear weapons. nuclear and ecological safety of strategic nuclear forces

It is obvious, Boris Gromov said, that the Ukrainian side in Ukraine. Regarding the speculations on this theme, we

has no intention either of totally eliminating the strategic are ready to consider the question on the possibility of

arms on its territory within seven years as envisaged by inviting an authoritative international commission of

the START I Treaty. The second round of talks saw the experts.

first outright reference to Ukrainian ownership of the We are sure that the world community will draw a

nuclear weapons temporarily stationed on Ukrainian correct conclusion from such a dangerous call, as it did

territory. It is thus no coincidence that this January a in the case of Russia's attempt to play the role of a

new staff structure emerged within the Ukrainian Armed self-styled "guarantor" of peace on the territory of the

Forces, a structure whose name speaks for itself-the former USSR. We also appeal to the world community

Center for Administrative Command of the Strategic with a request to promote the creation of preconditions

Nuclear Forces [Tsentr administrativnogo upravleniya for nuclear disarmament not only in Ukraine, but also

voyskami strategicheskikh yadernykh sil]. worldwide.

Meanwhile, in response to journalists' questions, Col. Kiev, 31 March 1993

Gen. Gromov cited as guarantees against the unauthorized use of nuclear weapons the centralized command

of these weapons-not by two or more, but one "mas- Ukraine Cabinet's Stance

ter"-and the ordinary common sense displayed by the LD0604192093 Kiev Radio Ukraine World Service

people directly effecting this command. These guarantees are still in existence today. In Russia, Belarus, in Ukrainian 1500 GMT6 Apr 93

Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Although the situation is very [Text] In connection with the Russian Federation Govtricky. ernment statement disseminated 5 April regarding

nuclear weapons located on Ukraine's territory, the press

Ukrainian Ministries' Statement service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is authoAU0704102493 Kiev HOLOS UKRA YINY in Ukrainian rized to state the following:

2 Apr 93 p 10 Unfortunately, the Russian side has again resorted to

distortions of Ukraine's position and made unfounded

accusations against Ukraine. This requires additional

["Statement by Ukraine's Ministries of Defense and explanation of Ukraine's approaches to this issue. ConForeign Affairs" issued in Kiev on 31 March] trary to the Russian Government's assertions, the Ukrainian leadership has up to now not made statements

[Text] Regarding reports carried by information agencies which deviate from the intention declared by the

to the effect that on 31 March Russian Federation Supreme Council of Ukraine to acquire nonnuclear

Minister of Defense Grachev called upon the world status in the future. As is well known, this issue is

community to exert pressure upon Ukraine, Ukraine's currently under examination by the Ukrainian parliaMinistry of Defense and Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign ment, which is carrying out an all-round analysis of it.

Affairs are authorized to make the following statement: Ukraine is opposed to having this entirely serious

The attempts to frighten the world community with a problem as the subject of political games. It is worth

possible recurrence of the Chernobyl tragedy in Ukraine recalling that with the aim of removing speculation on

sound like mockery, considering that they come from the subject of the safety of nuclear weapons on Ukraine's

that same country from which that tragedy came to our territory, the Ukrainian side proposed on 31 March to

land. It appears that Russia's own economic and political examine the possibility of inviting an authoritative interpressure upon Ukraine are no longer sufficient, and its national commission. As one of the successors to the

officials are now appealing to the world community for former Soviet Union, and in accordance with the law of

assistance. The questions of nuclear weapons in Ukraine Ukraine of 10 September 1991 on enterprises, establishare now being discussed by the Ukrainian parliament ments, and organizations under Union jurisdiction

that will adopt decisions in the best interests of the located on Ukraine's territory, Ukraine confirms its right

Ukrainian people and Ukrainian state. of ownership to nuclear components of weapons, and not
JPRS-TND-93-010

34 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

to nuclear weapons located on its territory, including endeavored to create all the necessary conditions for

tactical weapons previously removed, this, and is ready to go on fully cooperating with the Russian side on the issues mentioned.

As is well known, in accordance with the Minsk agreement

of 30 December 1991, nuclear weapons located on Ukraine calls on the Russian side to occupy a more

Ukraine's territory are operationally subordinate to the constructive and realistic position in resolving these

unified command of the CIS strategic forces, and so there problems at bilateral talks. We are interested in all the

are no grounds for changing this status. This position does complex issues of Ukrainian-Russian cooperation in the

not mean that Ukraine intends to acquire control over matter of destroying nuclear arms located in Ukraine

nuclear warheads. In owning only components of strategic being resolved without superfluous polemics and mutual

nuclear weapons of the former Soviet Union, Ukraine does accusations. The language of ultimata and pressure is not

not have the possibility of unilaterally using these an acceptable form of contact between states, says the

weapons, since elements of the control system are located statement of the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers

beyond the boundaries of its territory. Neither does of Ukraine.

Ukraine intend to acquire such possibilities. Kravchuk: Talks Reach 'Impasse'

The realistic timetable for removing nuclear weapons

from Ukraine's territory with the aim of dismantling and LD0604155093 Kiev UKRINFORM in Ukrainian

destroying them will be determined by a whole series of 1251 GMT 6 Apr 93

factors, not least of which will be the completion of the

relevant Ukrainian-Russian talks and the conclusion of [By UKRINFORM correspondent Anatoliy Grigoryev]

agreements which will make possible the elimination of [Excerpt] Kiev, 6 April-Ukrainian-Russian talks on the

nuclear weapons located in Ukraine. fate of strategic nuclear weapons located on the territory

Although the implementation of functions of operational of Ukraine have reached an impasse. Therefore, I have

control of strategic forces on Ukraine's territory is proposed to Boris Yeltsin that the solution to this

reserved for the unified command of the CIS strategic problem should be at the level of premiers of both

forces, the administrative control of them was handed countries, Ukraine President Leonid Kravchuk stated

over to the Ministry of Defense. Nothing in the concept during a meeting with members of the U.S. Congress

of administrative control of the troops of strategic today. The representative delegation of American connuclear forces located in Ukraine gives grounds to see in gressmen was in Kiev on a visit.

it the intention to acquire direct control over nuclear Russia is presenting the problem as if Ukraine does not

weapons. want its solution, continued Leonid Kravchuk. I suppose

Out of considerations of principle, Ukraine cannot agree that some politicians in the West do not know the details

to foreign troops being located on its territory, to which either. Strategic nuclear forces which are located on the

the declaration of Russian Federation jurisdiction over territory of Ukraine are subordinate to the CIS, that is,

nuclear weapons located in Ukraine will lead. including also Ukraine. Russia is now raising the question of the subordination of these forces to itself. Thus, The disconnection of the main components of the mis- what is at issue is a change in the status of the strategic

siles located on Ukraine's territory alone, without the nuclear forces on the territory of Ukraine. First, howparallel dismantling of the missiles themselves, would ever, a legal document on the basis of which this could be

not ensure adherence to the demands of physical and accomplished does not exist. Second, a change in the

ecological safety of missile complexes. All procedures of status would mean that foreign troops would be situated

elimination of nuclear weapons are to be implemented in in our land, Leonid Kravchuk stressed. In Ukraine there

clearly defined sequence, proceeding from legal, tech- is no law which permits foreign troops to stay on its

nical, financial, organizational, and other possibilities, territory.

In this manner Ukraine has a serious and responsible

attitude to the resolution of complicated problems con- Everything which is on the territories of both Ukraine

nected with the existence of nuclear weapons on its and Russia is the property of the state on which it is

territory, and is guided by agreements valid for it on situated. This means that in order to transfer nuclear

relevant issues; it is not violating any of them. warheads or components to Russia-incidentally, they

could be used at nuclear power plants-it is necessary to

Ukraine welcomes Russia's readiness to give it addi- change the law. Therefore, in the opinion of the head of

tional security guarantees. The main thing now is to the Ukrainian state, all questions about the fate of

ensure the necessary form, time, level and volume of nuclear weapons in Ukraine should be resolved not by

giving these guarantees. We perceive with satisfaction means of pressure but proceeding from the realities

Russia's readiness also to resolve the issue of compensa- which have arisen. Prime ministers of both states could

tion for nuclear materials, which are Ukraine's property. unite the efforts of the sides to achieve a mutually

We understand that this readiness is also extended to acceptable goal, Leonid Kravchuk considers. [passage

components of tactical nuclear weapons which were omitted; Kravchuk talks to delegation about Ukraine

previously removed. Ukraine gives especial significance economy, delegation expressed U.S. willingness to assist

to ensuring the safety of nuclear weapons, has always Ukraine in achieving nonnuclear status]
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 35

Early START Ratification Urged learn at least the Ukrainian Government's initial reac0W0604210093 Moscow INTERFAX in English tion. When this request was put to Prime Minister L.

1928 GMT 6 Apr 93 Kuchma, he said that he still had not read the official

document and thus because of his official position

[Following item transmitted via KYODO] simply has no right to comment on any extracts from it.

[Text] Deputy Parliamentary Chairman Vladimir But the shaping of public opinion surrounding the RusGrinyev says Ukrainian deputies must ratify all interna- sian Government statement has nevertheless already

tional agreements on nuclear-weapon cuts as early as begun. Ukrainian television was first to react. Its politpossible. Speaking at a news conference in Kiev on ical observer produced a commentary in which he called

Tuesday, Grinyev said he wanted Ukraine to become a the latest Russian document an "imperial outburst

nuclear-free state at the earliest time, adding that he addressed to a former 'younger brother."'

would defend his position in the Supreme Soviet. However, I would stress, that is not an official viewpoint.

At the same time, he warned against Russia's attempts to At the level of experts and working groups a view has

try to juggle the issue and talk in an ultimatum-like tone effectively emerged on how to implement the idea of the

with Ukraine, describing this as a hopeless policy, republic's nuclear disarmament. There are two fundaGrinyev said that nothing short of a sustained movement mental principles. Ukraine will be ready to say farewell

towards a nuclear-free status and realization that this to nuclear weapons if there are effective guarantees from

was a common problem could lead to a success. the nuclear powers regarding its subsequent security and

territorial integrity. In addition, the destruction of the

In Sevastopol, the Ukrainian official reaffirmed his nuclear warheads must take place in both the time and

commitment to the idea of transferring it for long-term the proportions which the United States and Russia have

lease to Russia, an option that he believes would make accepted for their own countries. The second fundaboth sides happy. However, he said this would imply mental condition is that Ukraine for the moment not

Russia's legal recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty over sign the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear

the Crimean territory and help resolve the issue of the Weapons, which would effectively ban it from having its

Black Sea Fleet. own nuclear industry. Without uranium enrichment and

On the prospects of relations with Moscow, Grinyev said the production of nuclear fuel for its own nuclear power

the economies of the two countries would remain inter- stations Ukraine could in the future be left completely

linked for the next twenty years. He said Ukraine would dependent on energy sources from Russia.

remain Russia's main trading partner in the West for a This logic dictates Ukraine's unusual method of realizing

long while yet. Grinyev believes that the huge economic the republic's nonnuclear status proclaimed in the decpotential that Ukraine inherited from the former Soviet laration.

Union can only be exploited together with other republics.

Security Guarantee Sought Ukraine Hails Russian Intent

LD0604084293 Kiev Radio Ukraine World Service LD0704112893 Moscow Mayak Radio Network

in Ukrainian 0500 GMT 6 Apr 93 in Russian 1000 GMT 7 Apr 93

[Text] The parliament will ratify START I and the

Nuclear Arms Nonproliferation Treaty on the condition [Text] Ukraine hails Russia's intention to compensate it

that Ukraine will be given guarantees of its security. This for nuclear components of strategic missiles and hopes

was stated by Ivan Plyushch at a meeting with the that space rockets withdrawn earlier from its territory

delegation of U.S. Congress representatives which took will also be part of this intention. This was pointed out in

place on 5 April in Kiev. a statement of the Ukrainian cabinet. However, the

document goes on to say, the Ukrainian leadership is not

No Comment on Russian Statement going to allow Russia's jurisdiction over strategic armaPM0704091593 Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian ments stationed on Ukrainian territory. Operationally,

7 Apr 93 First Edition p 5 they mand; come under the control of the CIS Allied Com- administratively-of Ukraine.

[Sergey Tsikora report: "Imperial Outburst or Business- The Ukrainian Government is against this extremely

like Proposal?"] serious problem becoming an object of political games.

[Text] Kiev-By noon 6 April, there had still been no There is no one single document or statement where the

official reaction to the Russian Government's statement Ukrainian side would cast a doubt over its wish to

on the nuclear weapons stationed on Ukrainian territory. become a nonnuclear state in the future. However, the

speed of this process is geared to only one thing: the

Neither the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers or volume of Ukraine's security guarantees and negotiaof the Ukrainian Foreign and Defense Ministries could tions with Russia, says the statement of the Ukrainian

satisfy the curiosity of the journalists who wanted to cabinet press service.
JPRS-TND-93-010

36 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

RUSSIA The fact that the total number of warheads includes all

nuclear charges mounted on heavy bombers without

Article Questions Progress Under START II exception-be they the latest long-range cruise missile or

PM3003130 193 Moscow NOVOYE VREMYA an obsolete gravity bomb-is an important element in

in Russian No 12, Mar 93 (signed to press 16 Mar 93) the treaty.

pp 28-29 Thus, as a result of the implementation of the START II

Treaty, a structure for the sides' strategic nuclear forces

[Igor Sutyagin article: "How Many Nuclear Weapons could take shape, one possible version of which is

Does Russia Need. START II Treaty: Step Forward or depicted below.

Step Into Abyss?"]

Naturally, the table below does not necessarily depict the [Text] After Presidents Boris Yeltsin and George Bush optimum or the only version possible. For instance,

signed the Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offen- Russia might deploy a larger number of RS-12M missive Arms (the START II Treaty), fierce controversy siles-either mobile or silo-launched-and make fuller

began in our country over how to assess this event-as use of the permitted quota of 3,500 warheads. The

an historic breakthrough to a glorious future or as an act United States might in the future stop keeping groundof supreme betrayal of national interests? The dispute launched ICBM's in its arsenal, then 96 nuclearinvolves generals, scientists, democrats, the opposition, equipped B-lB heavy bombers and up to 67 B-52H's

patriots, and Westeruists. could be kept in the arsenal.

This dispute became particularly trenchant after the

parliamentary hearings on the treaty began in the Rus- Russia United States

sian Supreme Soviet. It is thought that it will take ICBM's

parliamentarians about two months to come to a final 105500 Minutemen-3

decision either to ratify the treaty, despite its enemies' 105 RS-18's

views, or to reject it. 350 mobile RS-12M's

300 silo-launched RS-12M's

The Stores Will Not Be Empty SLBM's

Russia and the United States agreed to cut back their 6 Typhoon submarines 18 Ohio submarines

strategic nuclear forces by 1 January 2003 so that the (1,200 warheads on 120 SLBM's) (1,728 warheads

total number of nuclear warheads on deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles [ICBM's], submarine-launched 7 Kalmar submarines on 432 SLBM's)

ballistic missiles [SLBM's], and heavy bombers would (336 warheads on 112 SLBM's)

not exceed 3,500 units. 4 Delfin submarines (192 warheads on 64 SLBM's)

That notwithstanding MIRV'ed ICBM's must be Heavy Bombers

destroyed, with the exception of no more than 105 such 80 TU-95MS's (480 warheads) 20 B-2's (80 warheads)

missiles of a single type, transformed into singlewarhead missiles. These missiles must be sited in the 20 Tu-160's (240 warheads) 75 B-lB's (900 warheads)

launchers they were in at the time that the previous 36 B-52H's (288 warheads)

START I Treaty was signed. Total

In practice this means that the treaty authorizes 105 3,203 warheads 13,496 warheads

RS- 18 (known in the West as SS-19) missile systems to (1,151 carrers)[ (1,078 carrers)

be retained in the arsenal of the Russian Strategic Rocket

Forces. These systems currently carry six warheads each.

Each system will be left with one warhead. The treaty How Can America Be Turned Into Africa?

especially stipulates that there is no need to destroy the

removed warheads' standard [shtatnyy] platforms. That Opponents of the START II Treaty claim that it underis the remaining RS- 18's retain room to accommodate mines the might of our national strategic deterrence

another five warheads. The same applies to submarines, forces, leaving Russia defenseless in the face of overthe number of whose warheads is also to be cut back. whelming U.S. superiority.

The treaty especially stipulates a commitment to elimi- I would not want to repeat facts that are well-known, but

nate all so-called "heavy" missiles, these being our back in 1990-1991 the General Staff, in conjunction with

RS-20's, widely known by the Western designation of the relevant branches of the armed forces, conducted a

SS- 18. Some 90 launchers can be kept provided they are detailed study of the question of the maximum permisconverted into single-warhead missile launchers. sible level of cuts in the then Soviet strategic nuclear

forces, a level that would not increase the danger for the

As of I January 2003, in accordance with the treaty, the USSR or increase uncertainty when planning to deter

total number of warheads sited on SLBM's must not potential aggressors. The magic number is perfectly

exceed 1,700-1,750 units. well-known-2,500 warheads.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 37

Undoubtedly, people obsessed with a certain political attacking missiles would be detected in advance due to the

stance will reject from the outset the justice of this different flight times to targets located at different disassessment. However, you can only argue with people tances. Clearly, Russian missiles would start to be

who are willing to accept their opponent's arguments- launched in retaliation from the more remote regions

otherwise it is no argument, but a crude squabble. It immediately after the attack on the "closest" Russian

therefore seems productive to try to evaluate the possible targets.

consequences arising from Russia's using the number of

warheads to be retained following the implementation of In every case the number of nuclear warheads that would

the START II Treaty. reach U.S. territory would be considerably higher than

200-270. As a result the United States would for at least

The point is that the most vehement enemies of the 10-15 years be put in a position that is not even compatreaty seriously underestimate the vulnerability of a rable to the position of today's developing African counmodem industrially developed state in the event of tries.

nuclear weapons' being employed and overestimate the

counterforce potential of nuclear arms. The calculations All that does, I think, give grounds to say that, even if the

carried out by certain specialists do, however, show that START II Treaty still bears the mark of the "cold war,"

the destruction of just 57-65 installations from the it is a step in the right direction, since it removes an

military infrastructure on U.S. territory would deprive unjustifiably plentiful supply of the "megadeath" that

the United States for at least 5-10 years of the chance of both the USSR (now Russia) and the United States took

resuming production of certain key categories of modem years to stockpile for "use" on the territory of the "most

weapons, heavy transport aircraft, and so on. likely adversary" should the need arise. If the treaty is

ratified, there will be more common sense in internaDestroying or merely inflicting serious damage on the tional relations. Saying that the START II Treaty

reactors at 68 nuclear power stations operating in the destroys Russia's ability to check possible aggressive

United States would render about 195,000-430,000 square actions against it, is somewhat awkward...

km totally unfit for habitation for several decades.

This result, terrible per se, would have catastrophic conse- Offers of Help With CW Dismantling Welcomed

quences for the U.S. economy: Some 49 nuclear power PM2903141093 Moscow KRASNA YA ZVEZDA

stations are located on the eastern seaboard and in the in Russian 27 Mar 93 p 2

Mid-West, and the industrial regions of the Atlantic seaboard and the Great Lakes would end up in an area [Mikhail Pogorelyy article: "Difficulties Still To Come"]

dangerous for habitation. Florida would cease to be a

resort area-it would begin to be reminiscent of the dead [Text] In the two months since the signing of the Conarea around Chernobyl. For the same reason New York vention on Chemical Weapons in Paris, 10 more states

would lose its reputation as the financial capital of the have acceded to this agreement. So the number of

world. The destruction of just one terminal in the Alaskan countries that have embarked on the path of renouncing

port of Valdez would deprive the United States for several the production and stockpiling of chemical weapons has

years of 30 percent of the oil used in the continental reached 140. But only two states have yet ratified the

United States. And there are after all also chemical enter- convention-Fiji and Mauritius. The document stipuprises and major reservoirs on U.S. territory. lates that it will come into force 180 days after its

ratification by at least 65 participants, but not later than

In order for this apocalyptic picture to take shape, two years after it was signed.

200-270 warheads have to be delivered to U.S. territory.

Given the level of the strategic nuclear forces prescribed So after 13 January 1995 one more problem will be

by the START II Treaty that quantity of nuclear war- added to all our others-the need to destroy chemical

heads--or even more--could certainly be delivered to weapon stockpiles. For Russia, this will be a particularly

targets in North America even in the worst case scenario difficult task. Fulfilling our commitments under the

for the Russian Army. convention will require not only the formal consideration of a new factor in international politics, but also

What If the Americans Strike First? very substantial financial expenditure.

That would, for instance, be the case were, first, the U.S. In Russia, as President Yeltsin expressively put it the

forces to be the first to attack Russian nuclear weapons other day, several times more chemical weapons have

from alert duty operations mode, that is without raising been stockpiled than could possibly be needed by all the

the strategic forces' level of readiness, something that countries in the world. And unlike the United States we

could be detected in advance, have no ready-made infrastructure for the destruction of

the lethal stockpiles. Creating one would take, according

Second, if all the targets on Russian territory were attacked to various estimates, several billion (!) dollars. Obviously

by the Americans simultaneously and the surviving Rus- that is a burden beyond Russia's powers. And we cannot

sian missiles only began to be launched once the U.S. cope with it single-handed. Therefore what is now parattack was completely over. But in practice that scenario ticularly interesting and relevant is the experience of

has no chance of being carried out since some of the France, the FRG, Italy, and other countries, which have
JPRS-TND-93-010

38 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

decided, on their own initiative, to help us in the cause of Applications for the export of released assets of military

eliminating weapons of mass destruction. International designation are issued upon additional coordination

assistance would help, on the one hand, to make not only with the Russian Federation State Committee on the

Russia but the entire world safer, and on the other, to lift Management of State Assets.

part of the financial and economic burden from the

shoulders of our state and ultimately the Russian people. The Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic

Relations, jointly with the Russian Federation State

Statute on Military Product Export Control Customs Committee upon coordination with the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense, has the right to

93 WPOO97A Moscow KOMMERSANT in Russian introduce necessary changes to the Product NomenclaNo 5, 1-7 Feb 93 p 24 ture of Foreign Economic Activity (henceforth termed

TN VED).

["Statute on Licensing Procedure for the Export and

Import of Military-Designated Production (Work, Ser- 3. The following comprise grounds for the registration of

vices) on the Territory of the Russian Federation, an export license for military-designated production

Approved by Decree of the Council of Ministers- (work, services):

Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 Dated 28 -decision of the Russian Federation government;

January 1993"; first paragraph is KOMMERSANT

introduction] -application drawn up according to established proce-

[Text] The Russian Government has confirmed the dure;

listing of military-designated production, export and ---original of a certificate of the end user of militaryimport of which are effected by license. The Ministry for designated production (work, services) issued by an

Foreign Economic Relations will issue licenses only in authorized organ of the receiving country;

cases where the appropriate government decision has

been made. A license is issued for one production -signed or initialed contract for the export of militaryvariety, designated production (work, services);

Statute on Licensing Procedure for the Export and -original of authorization, or its certified true copy, for

Import of Military-Designated Production (Work, the accomplishment of export-import operations by a

Services) in the Territory of the Russian Federation foreign firm in military-designated production (work,

services), issued by an authorized organ of the country 1. This statute determines licensing procedure for the in which this firm is registered.

export and import of military-designated production

(work, services) on the territory of the Russian Federa- The Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic

tion. Relations has the right to request that an applicant

provide additional information necessary for issue of a Licensing in the Russian Federation of shipments of license.

special components for the production of arms and

military equipment within the framework of CIS 4. The following comprise grounds for issue of an import

member states is effected in accordance with procedure license for military-designated production (work, seras determined by Decree of the Russian Federation vices): Government No. 517 dated 24 July 1992. -- decision of the Russian Federation government;

2. The export and import of military-designated production (work, services) is effected on the basis of licenses -application drawn up according to established proceissued by the Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign dure;

Economic Relations. -- signed or initialed contract for the import of militaryA license is issued to entities of economic activity which designated production (work, services).

have received the authorization of the Russian Federation government to export and import military- 5. A license for export (import) of military-designated

designated production (work, services). production (work, services) is issued for one production

variety on the TN VED, regardless of the number of

A license which has been issued is not transferable to production entries included in a contract.

other juridical or physical persons. In certain situations, issue of a general license for several

The procedure for registering a license is determined by production varieties is permitted to entities of economic

the Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic activity authorized to export (import) militaryRelations. In this regard, applications for the export of designated production (work, services) by decision of the

military-designated production (work, services) are coor- Russian Federation government on the basis of agreedinated with the Russian Federation Committee on ments of the Russian Federation with foreign countries,

Defense Sectors of Industry and the Russian Federation if these production varieties belong to the same product

Ministry of Defense. subheading of the TN VED.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 39

6. A general license is issued to an applicant for a period 11. Entities of economic activity bear responsibility for

of one calendar year. Export (import) operations under a violations of this statute in accordance with legislation of

general license may be carried out through one or several the Russian Federation.

transactions.

A one-time license is issued to an applicant for a period Approved by Decree of the Council of Ministersof up to 12 months for the conduct of export (import) Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 dated 28

operations for each separate transaction. January 1993

The period of validity of a license may be extended at the

justified request of an applicant by the Russian Federa- Listing of Military-Designated Production (Work, tion Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations. Exten- Services) on the Territory of the Russian Federation

sion of the period of validity of a license is confirmed in Whose Export or Import Is Effected by License

writing.

Production Designation TN VED Code*

The Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic

Relations sends copies of licenses issued based on deci- Tanks and other self-propelled 00000 armored vehicles with and sions of the Russian Federation Government to the without armament, parts and Russian Federation Ministry of Defense. accessories to these-8710

7. A license or justified refusal to issue one is sent to the Military aircraft:

applicant not later than 25 days after the date the Helicopters with empty weight 11900

application arrives at the Russian Federation Ministry not greater than 2,000 kg-8802

for Foreign Economic Relations. Helicopters with empty weight 12900

greater than 2,000 kg-8802

In the event an applicant is asked to provide additional Planes and other aircraft with 20900

information, the time frame for issue of a license is empty weight not greater than

computed from the date such information arrives at the 2,000 kg-8802

Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic Planes and other aircraft with 30900

Relations, and comprises not more than 15 days. empty weight greater than 2,000

kg, but not greater than 15,000

Issued licenses are registered with the Russian Federa- kg-8802

tion Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations. Planes and other aircraft with 40900

empty weight greater than 15,000

8. The Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Eco- kg-8802

nomic Relations has the right to cancel the validity of a Parts for aircraft classified within 10900

license based on decisions of the Russian Federation product headings 8802-8803

government or Interdepartmental Commission on Mili- 8803 20900

tary-Technical Cooperation Between the Russian Feder- 8803 30900

ation and Foreign Countries, as well as to suspend its

validity in the event a license holder violates the proce- 8803 20900

dure established by this statute. 8803 30900

8803 90100

Suspension of the validity of a license by the Russian 8803

Federation Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations 8803 90990

may be appealed to the Interdepartmental Commission Apparatus for aircraft take-off 10100

on Military-Technical Cooperation Between the Russian and flight; carrier deck braking

Federation and Foreign Countries, whose decision is apparatus or similar mechanisms

final, for aircraft landings; ground-based simulators; parts for such apparatus--8805

9. The Russian Federation Ministry for Foreign Eco- 8805

nomic Relations determines procedure according to 8805 10900

which exporters and importers of military-designated 8805 20900

production (work, services) submit information for sta- Warships-8906 00100

tistical accounting and reporting, and for verifying that Military weapons (except 00000

payments are made as established by legislation of the revolvers, pistols, and other

Russian Federation. weapons classified under product

heading 9307)-9301

10. The Russian Federation State Customs Committee Revolvers and pistols (except 00100

exercises control over export from the territory of the those classified under product

Russian Federation and import into the territory of the headings 9303 and 9304)-9302

Russian Federation of military-designated production 9302 00900

(work, services).
JPRS-TND-93-010

40 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

Production Designation TN VED Code* Article Views Arms Export Control Regulations

Parts and accessories to military 10000 93 WPOO82A Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY

weapons, revolvers, and pistols in Russian 3 Feb 93 p 2

classified under product headings

9301 and 9302-9305 [Article by Vadim Bardin: "Government To Control

9305 90100 Export of Special Equipment"]

Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, 90100 [Text] Viktor Chernomyrdin, chairman of the Council of

mines, missiles, and similar Ministers, has signed a government decree "On Licensing

weapons for conducting combat

operations and their parts; Procedures for the Export and Import of Military Products

cartridges, other ammunition, (Works, Services) on the Territory of the Russian Federaprojectiles and their parts---9306 tion." Thus "B" experts believe, a new basis has been

Military-use powders--3601 00000 created for state control of the most effective type of national

Military-use explosives-3602 00000 export. Yesterday the decree was officially distributed.

Military-use detonation 00900 The competitiveness of nationally produced weapons

devices-3603 and accompanying goods is generally recognized. It is

Telescopic and laser sights for 10000 quite natural, therefore, that the uncontrolled export of

mounting on weapons, military products has been one of the consequences of

periscopes, military-use optical the process of arms reduction in Russia occurring in

and laser scopes, mechanisms, parallel with the withdrawal of the former Soviet Army devices, parts, and accessories to from the Soviet Republics and the creation of various

them-9013 autonomous military formations in these now indepen- Military-use navigational devices 00000 dent states. But attempts to concentrate all Russian

and accessories to them-9014 military exports in special associations of the Ministry of

Military-use radar apparatus, 00000 Foreign Economic Ties are actively opposed by the

radio navigation devices, and changing defense industry.

remote-control radio equipment,

parts and accessories to The procedures approved by the government differ funthem-8526 _damentally from usual export licensing: in order to

Military-use parachutes 00000 obtain a license for military products, government con- (including airship parachutes)

and rotating parachutes, their sent for the corresponding export is required. Further

parts and accessories-8804 processing of the license is transferred to the discretion

of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Ties. There the radiotelephone and requests for export are coordinated with the Committee

radio-telegraph communications, on the Defense Sectors of Industry and with the Defense

radio or television broadcasting, Ministry of Russia. Consent for the export of freed-up with or without receiving military property is also coordinated with the Goskomiequipment, sound-recording, or militar p roperty coo a itthe Goskomireproduction apparatus, mushchestvo [State Property Committee]. Licenses for

military-use television cameras, the export (import) of military products are issued for

parts and accessories to each product type, and general licenses are issued for these-8525 several types of products only in those cases when the

Means of protection from toxic 00000* government has allowed its recipient the export (import) substances used in combat, parts of military products on the basis of Russian intergovern- and accessories to these*--9308 mental agreements. There is also another condition: a

Military uniforms and 00000 * general license is issued for goods which belong to a

accessories*--6508 single product group.

Military-designated work and At the end of the appropriate TN

services* VED code insert "I" instead of A one-time license is issued for one deal and is in force "..0"* for up to 12 months. A general license is for one year,

Normative-technical At the end of the appropriate TN without restriction in the number of deals. A time limit

documentation for VED code insert "2" instead of for consideration of a license request is also defined: 25

military-designated production "0" days from the moment that the documents reach the

(design and operation ministry. The ministry also has the right to annul

documentation)* licenses already granted, on the basis of a decision of the

*TN VED-Product Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity government or of the Interdepartmental Commission for

Military-Technical Cooperation, which has the final say

when disputes arise.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 41

Overall, the "B" experts believe that the government Enrich? Russia Seeks a Place in the World Market, but

decree, which officially does not limit the number of Without Impairing Its Own Security"]

exporters of military goods, introduces clarity in the

licensing of exports and provides a very effective mech- [Text] It is unwise for the uninitiated to get involved in

anism for state control of this type of export activity, the discordant disputes over the sale of uranium. Some

shout: "They have betrayed Russia"; others that "Russia

Some types of licensed military products: has betrayed us." But all of them have the same argument: "Highly enriched uranium from the warheads of "* Telescopic and laser sights for mounting on weapons, our missiles is disappearing across the ocean with the

periscopes, military optical and laser tubes, devices, knowledge and active participation of the authorities."

instruments, parts and accessories for them. Code TN In other words, we are selling for a song the guarantees of

VED 901310000. our own security to the former enemy on whom those

"* Military navigational instruments and accessories to missiles were targeted for many years.

them. Code TN VED 901400000.

* Military powder. Code TN VED 360100000. Is that actually so? What is the truth here, do we have

* Military explosives. Code TN VED 360200000. deliberate rumormongering or naive delusion? I began

* Military parachutes (including dirigible parachutes) my conversation with Professor Viktor Nikitovich

and rotating parachutes, their parts, and accessories. Mikhaylov, Russian Federation atomic energy minister,

Code TN VED 880400000. with those questions. His answer was categorical: "The

* Transmitting apparatus for radiotelephone and radio- rumors are the product of false ideas: It is not highly

telegraph apparatus, radio broadcasting and televi- enriched but low-enriched uranium, not nuclear explosion, including or not including receiver, apparatus; sive material but fuel for peaceful atomic power stations.

sound recording or reproduction apparatus, military That's how it all started."

television cameras, parts, and accessories to them.

Code TN VED 852500000. But now everything is in order. The "Uranium Project"

* Protective equipment against military toxic mate- (as it is called) was set up in the former USSR on the

rials, parts, and accessories to them. Code TN VED basis of the accelerated development of atomic energy

930800000. and for purely military purposes. Both those tasks were

* Military uniforms and accessories to them. Code TN resolved. The world's first AES [nuclear electric power

VED 650800000. station] was commissioned, power reactors were created

for submarines and surface ships, as were atomic and

Grounds for processing a license for the export (import) hydrogen bombs, warheads for missiles... Moreover, we

of military goods: built up vast stockpiles of uranium, which will be enough

for 10-15 years of continuous operation of all the AES's "* Decision of the government of Russia and Commonwealth countries.

"* A duly processed request (coordinated with the Committee for Defense Sectors of Industry, the Ministry Such is the result of the decades of the cold war, of the

of Defense, and, if necessary, with Goskomimush- unrestrained buildup of nuclear muscle and rivalry with

chestvo the United States. But then the "era of disarmament," as

"* A signed or initialed contract it is known, dawned, and the inevitable question arose:

"* An original of the certificate of the user of the goods, What is to be done with the weapons-grade uranium

issued by the authorized organ of the receiving from the warheads? It has a high-90 percentcountry (only for the export of military goods) concentration. The idea of "reprocessing" or "diluting" "* An original or official copy of the consent for execu- the highly concentrated uranium with natural uranium

tion of export/import deals involving special equip- in order to obtain low-enriched power-grade fuel also

ment by a foreign company, issued by the authorized arose at the time. As did the idea, given that we have

organ of the base country of the company (only for the enough of both, of selling some of it abroad.

export of military goods) And again the question arises: Whom will the unenThe Ministry of Foreign Economic Ties has the right to riched uranium enrich? The answer is clear cut: Russia.

elicit from the applicant any information necessary for The Americans will naturally not come out losers either.

issuance of the license (only for the export of military The laws of the market are such that everyone seeks to

goods). get his own share. What share is another matter.

Russian uranium (and plutonium too) are cheaper than

Paper, Minister Review Uranium Trade Outlook their American counterparts. The content of uraniumPM2903150193 Moscow KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 235 in its natural state is extremely small-only 0.7

in Russian 20 Mar 93 p 4 percent. Such a concentration rules out its use in atomic

warheads and in most kinds of nuclear reactors. Enrich-

[Mikhail Rebrov article, incorporating interview with ment is essential, which demands special production

Russian Atomic Energy Minister V.N. Mikhaylov, car- techniques, highly sophisticated modern equipment, and

ried under the "Defense Complex" rubric; date and considerable energy costs. And although many people in

place not given: "Whom Will Unenriched Uranium the West consider Russian technology "old-fashioned
JPRS-TND-93-010

42 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

and trapped in the grip of a wrecked economy," the to "nursemaid" foreign civil servants and will continue

Americans are 15 or even 20 years behind us. seeking to secure his own rights and interests; in short, Russia will not accept discriminatory terms.

As far as converting weapons-grade uranium into powergrade uranium is concerned, that too is very advanta- Another important point. The signed agreement sets out

geous, as it is not necessary to carry out mining opera- strict limits to the use of the uranium bought from us: It

tions, start up sublimate production and enrichment can only be directed toward peaceful purposes. And that

plants etc. The cost of converting the highly enriched will strengthen the nuclear weapons nonproliferation

uranium contained in nuclear weapons into unenriched regime, facilitate the recording of all nuclear materials,

uranium (or, more precisely, into the necessary concen- and enhance their "physical protection" and, consetration) is substantially lower than by conventional quently, the protection of the environment too.

means of production. "If we do not reach agreement with the Americans on all

"The fissile material contained in our nuclear arsenals points in our plan," the minister concluded, "the conrepresents a large unutilized asset which can be con- tract could be canceled. But it is not we but the Ameriverted into hard currency-primarily for the purposes of cans who will lose. They need time to retool their

converting the nuclear weapons complex, implementing enterprises and create new technology. And there are

Russia's environmental revival program, and creating many people in the world who want nuclear fuel...."

our own national Russian science support fund. Leaving

aside this immediate advantages, I would say that the

sale of uranium will benefit Russia rather than the Interpol Russia Chief on 'Radioactive Exporting'

Western countries through the repayment of our MK0304132093 Moscow FEDERATSIYA in Russian

debts..." No 37, 2 Apr 93 p 3

An "Agreement Between the Government of the Russian

Federation and the Government of the United States on

the Use of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted From [Militia Lieutenant General V.P. Ignatov, chief of InterNuclear Weapons" was signed at the end of February. It por's Russia bureau, answers questions by FEDERis anticipated that the value of the uranium sold will be ATSIYA editorial office, reported by Veniamin Polubinto $8-9 billion; Russia's earnings will be worth $1 50-200 skiy "Only for FEDERATSIYA": "Radioactive

million per annum in the first five years and will then Business: Myths and Reality"] increase. The American side has also agreed additionally [Text] Lately, the mass media has been frequently

to buy Russian unenriched uranium (4-5 percent in reporting on attempts to take various radioactive mateterms of the isotope uranium-235) for a sum of $115 rials out of Russia and on criminal groups' cashing in on

million. the sale of Russian strategic raw materials abroad.

Thus the fact of Russia's access to the world market with To what extent does this information correspond to

a high level of competition and high added value on reality? How extensive is the "radioactive exporting

uranium products is already noteworthy in itself. What business" and does the underground trade in these

will we gain from this agreement? And here Mikhaylov materials not pose the real threat that homemade nuclear

adduced weighty arguments: weapons will eventually crop up somewhere? These were

"It will make it possible to set up production to process the questions the editors put to Militia Lieutenant Genhighly enriched uranium into power-grade uranium, to eral V.P. Ignatov, chief of Interpol's Russian national

ensure its long-term operation, to increase the workload central bureau.

of existing separator plant capacities, to reduce state

expenditure on storing nuclear material released as a In Pursuit of Sensation

result of disarmament and will also promote further

building of confidence between Russia and the United I need to say frankly that many news media reports States..." about attempts to take radioactive materials out of the

country contain inaccuracies, and the facts published are All that is so. But, I repeat, the market is the market. The not always verified and checked by editorial offices.

arrival of our uranium on it has caused dissatisfaction Some reports are obviously designed to "tickle" the

among certain U.S. circles, people have started talking readers' nerves.

about sanctions against Russia, and a so-called dumping investigation has been organized. And the price of repro- Not so long ago "Ostankino," in a bid for sensationcessed uranium ore has fallen on the U.S. market, which alism, revealed to TV viewers that in Omsk the lawhas caused extraction to be cut back, and, given that the enforcement agencies had thwarted an attempt to steal

U.S. Department of Energy holds the interests of its own so-called "red mercury" allegedly used in nuclear technuclear industry dearer than the Russian, it has wished nologies. It even showed test tubes and vessels with this

to become a go-between on more favorable terms. The substance confiscated from the criminals, and it was

Atomic Energy Ministry thinks otherwise, however; shouted from the rooftops that we should soon learn the

according to the minister's statement, he does not intend secret of the radioactive "specter" that foreign special
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 43

services have for so many years been hunting so unsuc- a Polish citizen. Another "entrepreneur" was arrested at

cessfully ,and which is now being hunted too by under- the Belorusskiy railway terminal in Moscow in the

ground nuclear business operators. However, the prom- middle of a deal with a Lithuanian citizen. Eight factory

ised continuation of that TV feature never came. workers and several city residents were implicated in the

illegal operations with the stolen uranium. During the Almost at the same time NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA search of the detainees over 60 kg of uranium was

reported on the courageous adventures of a reporter discovered, and also thousands of dollars and large sums

from a Prague newspaper, M. Mrnk [as transliterated], of money.

who managed to get hold of a whole test tube full of "red

mercury." According to the successful journalist, it "is Apart from this incident, in 1992, another two attempts produced in the famous Krasnoyarsk-25, which manu- to steal radioactive materials were stopped. Criminals

factures classical-type nuclear bombs." attempted to steal 1.5 kg of uranium from a Moscow

Oblast enterprise, and eight kg at a plant in Nizhniy This story is fiction, pure and simple, from beginning to Novgorod Oblast.

end. Moreover there is no such city on Krasnoyarsk soil,

and no nuclear bombs are produced there. The main I can state with full responsibility that not a single

thing, however, is that it has been incontestably proved criminal attempt to steal weapons-grade nuclear matethat "red mercury" does not exist in nature. And if from rials has been registered at any Russian military industime to time people come forward claiming that they trial installation. All instances of the illegal use of radiopossess a substance of this name, invariably it transpires active substances uncovered by our law enforcement

that they have fallen victim to smart confidence trick- agencies were related to those that cannot be used to

sters. The latter simply foist on the unsuspecting buyers fabricate weapons without special technologies and

ordinary mercury slightly colored by additives or its equipment. In an overwhelming majority of cases the

simple compounds. subject of the illegal use were ionizing radiation mate- rials (strontium, caesium, and cobalt).

It could be argued that where there is smoke there is fire

and if the concept "red mercury" has existed for nearly It should be stressed that one of the driving motives for

half a century, there must be something real behind it. such criminal operations is the impression, artificially

Everything will fall into place once we turn to history. As created by some mass media outlets, that there is allegis known, the nuclear industry in the USSR was created edly a huge demand for the above materials in foreign in the midforties. Naturally, from the start, not only countries, that their prices are high, and that it is easy to

information about production, but also all nuclear mate- export them from Russia. Our bureau, at its own initiarials were strictly classified. It was precisely for that tive, repeatedly asked corresponding foreign countries

reason that an idea was born to designate them by the whether such statements tally with reality. Virtually

code name of "red mercury," especially since that term none of them has confirmed that these rumors are

was already being used by foreign nuclear scientists. That correct.

is the entire explanation of the fact that neither special

services nor journalists have thus far been able to find For our part, we are seeking to thoroughly consolidate

this mysterious substance. contacts with our foreign colleagues on questions of

preventing and solving crimes related to radioactive

And Yet Journalists Are Right materials. In the past year alone we have received from

abroad 21 reports on such cases. On each of them They are right in that the criminals are not abandoning requisite checks were made and their results were duly

attempts to steal radioactive materials and take them out reported to the initiators of the inquiries.

of Russia to foreign countries. They are correct in their

concern over the possible serious consequences of such The West Is Also Concerned

criminal acts.

Problems of illegal circulation of radioactive substances The fact remains: People seeking easy gain are hunting have recently been causing growing concern in the internot only for the radioactive "specter," but also the quite national community. It is no accident that Interpol is

corporeal caesium, plutonium, and uranium. Not so long giving such serious attention to questions of preventing

ago the prosecutor's office of the Udmurtia republic and fighting these crimes. In January 1993, the first

started criminal proceedings and opened an investiga- European working meeting on the illegal circulation of

tion into a case of the stealing, illegal storage, and such materials was held in its General Secretariat

transfer of uranium. Over several months 100 kg of (Lyons, France). Taking part in it were delegations from

uranium was stolen from the Chepetsk mechanical works 23 European countries, including one from the Russian

located in the city of Glazov. Having established requi- Internal Affairs Ministry, and also representatives of the

site ties with their nearby foreign parts and with more United States and Canada as observers.

distant foreign countries, the criminals tried to forward

the stolen strategic raw materials there. Luckily, their It was stressed at the forum that the above offenses

transactions were thwarted in good time by law enforce- should be looked at in the overall context of ecological

ment agencies. One of the traders was detained in Brest crimes. The situation in this field in some European

when attempting to sell several kilograms of the metal to countries was analyzed. It was noted that along with
JPRS-TND-93-010

44 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

normal trade exchanges and use of radioactive sub- -theft of radioactive materials (Article 223/

stances in science and various technologies, in a number 3-imprisonment for terms between three and 10

of Western countries there is a "black market" in them, years with or without confiscation of property);

while illegal circulation is increasing. Thus, whereas in

1991 in Germany only one illegal transaction involving -threatening to commit the theft of radioactive matesuch materials was registered, in 1992 there were 15 such rials or to use them (Article 223/4, under part Ideals. Along with this, several hundred cases of fraudu- imprisonment for a term of up to three years, under

lent operations were registered involving enriched part IL-up to five years);

nuclear materials. What is usually offered for sale is -violation of the rules of storage, use, accounting, and

metallic uranium or sources of ionizing radiation. In conveyance of radioactive materials and of other rules

Belgium in the past three years, 21 instances of unautho- of their handling (Article 223/5, under part Irized circulation of allegedly radioactive substances were imprisonment for a term of up to three years, under

registered. However, subsequent investigation revealed prt IIe to oup years).t0 

that all these transactions were of a purely fraudulent part IL-up to 10 years).

nature. Without in the least belittling the danger inherent in the

illegal radioactive business, at the same time the situaParticipants in the meeting also familiarized themselves tion should not be overdramatized. The talk about the

with Austrian legislation providing for liability for neg- so-called threat originating from Russia's territory has

ligent (careless) handling of radioactive materials and no foundation in reality. Its law enforcement agencies

also for polluting the environment with them. Crimes have sufficient possibilities to more or less safely close

related to them are now in the charge of a special Internal off the channels for the uncontrolled disappearance of

Affairs Ministry task force created as part of the Anti- radioactive materials abroad.

terrorism Directorate.

Our delegation reported on measures undertaken at the City's Plan To Export Osmium-187 Examined

state level to ensure nuclear and radiation security in

Russia and also on concrete examples of international 934KO739A Moscow LITERATURNAYA GAZETA

cooperation in this field. We raised the question of the in Russian No 11, 17 Mar 93 p 13

need to work out an international legal act (possibly a

Convention) to combat nuclear terrorism that would [Article by LITERATURNAYA GAZETA special correprovide a legal foundation for closer collaboration of the spondent Kirill Belyaninov: "Theater of the Absurd

states interested in preventing it. Surrounding Osmium-187: A Few Words About the

The European meeting in Lyons once again confirmed Mayor of St. Petersburg's Contribution to the Developthe general concern over this increasingly prominent ment of National Physics"]

phenomenon that poses a serious threat to public [Text] On 13 October 1992 D.V. Sergeyev, deputy mayor

security. of St. Petersburg for economic matters, moved onto the

world market. The move had been occasioned, strictly

On a Firm Regulatory Basis speaking, by exclusively domestic factors: winter was

advancing on the city, and there was no chance of coping

Along with the strengthening of practical measures taken with it without the attraction of foreign capital.

by law enforcement agencies, Russia is revising its normative basis defining not only nuclear, radiation, and D.V. Sergeyev set forth his thoughts on the results of a

technological security standards, but also requirements study of the overseas market in the form of a letter to the

for ensuring dependable protection of nuclear materials government, requesting for "a solution of the problems

and installations. In particular the Supreme Soviet is of maintenance of the viability of the municipal econcurrently considering a draft law of the Russian Federa- omy" the granting of an export license for 20 kg of tion "On the Use of Nuclear Energy." osmium- 187. The government responded favorably to

the request, and S.Yu. Glazyev, deputy minister of

Nonetheless, even now there are sufficient legal means to foreign economic relations at that time, replied: "In the

fight the above crimes. I would like to remind you that in event of the allocation of export quotas, the Ministry of

line with Russia's commitments arising from the inter- Foreign Economic Relations of Russia will accept for

national Convention "On Physical Protection of Nuclear consideration an application for the granting of licenses

Material," back in 1988, the RSFSR Supreme Soviet for exports of osmium-187." The letter then made its

Presidium passed an edict whereby the following new way to the Committee of the Russian Federation for

statutory crime provisions were included in our Penal Precious Metals and Gemstones and, subsequently, to a

Code: number of very serious organizations. And it seemed

that the dazzling foreign economic prospects opening up

-illegal acquisition, storage, use, transfer or destruction to the St. Petersburg City Hall would finally make it

of radioactive materials (Articles 223/2, under part possible not only to supply hot water in good time but

I-imprisonment for a term of up to five years, under also to touch up if only a little the facade of the "cradle

part II-up to 10 years); of the revolution," had the scientists not interfered.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 45

V.N. Prusakov, director of the Molecular Physics Insti- USSR any quantities of any commodity. And as confirtute of the "Kurchatov Institute" Russian research mation he spreads out those same official papers,

center, for example, requested of the Ministry of observing: "If I can bring out for you such a rare product

Finances additional funds for testing and announced, as osmium-187, well, for some conventional metals it

incidentally: "There was speculative demand for goes without saying...." Having obtained the credit, the

osmium-187 isotopes in 1992. Price was to the pur- entrepreneur usually goes into hiding. And that, most

chasers 'no object.' The situation is such that the product likely, is that.

could have great commercial value. Together with this

we, as physicists, wonder: Which of osmium- 187's prop- Some experts, come to that, assume that it is a question

erties evoked such great interest in it? There is as of this of an elementary game of world market prices. Regular

time a number of versions concerning its application, osmium is so specific a commodity that even negligible

but none of them can be taken as reliable." In conclusion offers for purchase could lead to a significant rise in

the director requested of the Ministry of Finances 7 prices. Simply put, it was the producers of this metal who

million rubles and 2-2.5 kg of natural osmium, prom- were involved in the osmium game. It is, as before,

ising within six to eight months of research to have merely the St. Petersburg City Hall situation which is not

obtained 5-10 grams of the notorious osmium-187. all that clear. Even if it is allowed that 20 kilos of a

superpure isotope were obtained in the secret laboratoS.K. Kalinin, corresponding member of the Kazakh ries of the Smolnyy and it was planned to use the cruiser

Academy of Sciences, and V.I. Lavetskiy, chief of the Aurora for its conveyance overseas.

Engineering Division of the Dzhezkazgantsvetmet I have to upset those awaiting specific conclusions from

Research-Production Association, were even more spe- this story. If only because a logical explanation of the

cific in their exegesis of the situation. According to their actions of the authorities is impossible. Neither in predata, in samples of the ore of the Dzhezkazgan deposit- vious Russian governments nor in the present one have

the biggest source of osmium-the osmium- 187 content two things ever been popular: specialists' advice and the

constitutes three ten-millionths, that is, "for 1 billion rule that one reads papers which are presented for

atoms of other elements the ore contains only 1 atom of signature. And this being the case, we may shortly expect

the isotope osmium-187." And "the quantity of the one further letter from St. Petersburg requesting the

specimen in... the consignments sold to various research granting of an export license for the Anichkov Bridge.

organizations constitutes grams, tens of grams at the Once again in connection with the difficult economic

most." Obtaining an osmium-187 sample of approxi- situation against the background of the approaching

mately 99 percent purity is altogether impossible for "it spring.

would be necessary to obtain several hundred grams of

such a specimen to process almost the entire volume of

world production of regular osmium." Plutonium Theft Trial Opens in Moscow

PM0604110593 Moscow KOMSOMOLSKA YA

In short, neither the Kurchatov Institute nor, even less, PRA VDA in Russian 6 Apr 93 p 1

the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan had as yet

suspected the staggering successes scored by St. Peters- [N. Yefimovich report: "Plutonium Can Damage Your

burg's city hall in the study of physics. Although, I Health"]

repeat, several versions emerged in this connection. [Text] Orel-Several staffers at the Orel branch of the

"There is no question at all of any purchase in the West Moscow Instrument Making Institute attempted to sell

of the osmium isotope, of exports, even less," V.V. 75 grams of plutonium for $100,000. They had stolen

Skripchenko, chairman of the Commission of the this rare nuclear material from a laboratory at their

Supreme Soviet of Russia for Deputies' Control of the institute. This deal, unusual for the local market, did not

Use of Currency Resources and Foreign Credit, believes, go ahead-the militia intervened. Criminal proceedings

"Considering the cost of I gram of this specimen, it may have been instituted against its participants.

easily be estimated that a kilo would cost $1.5-2 million.

No businessman would offer the city hall $40 million for Red Mercury Theft Scare Debunked

a commodity for which it is hard to find an application." 93P50134A Moscow KOMMERSANT-DAILY

in Russian 27 Mar 93 p 20

Skripchenko is sure, for that matter, that the techniques

of the conclusion of the deal are in this case far simpler: [Andrey Sasko article: "Investigation of the Theft of Red

a foreign entrepreneur is interested not in the com- Mercury: The Mercury in Fact Turned Out Not To Be

modity but merely the documents for it. Having as a Strategic"]

result of negotiations obtained two or three official

papers with the signatures of members of the govern- [Text] Yesterday it was finally established that the red

ment and the stamps of serious ministries, he may with mercury stolen from an Omsk factory by two Kazakh

an easy conscience return home and go to any corpora- brothers is not that strategic substance about which there

tion interested in trade with Russia. Once there, intro- has been so much talk in recent years. The brothers were

ducing himself, he offers to deliver from the former detained while trying to sell 4 kilograms of mercury.
JPRS-TND-93-010

46 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

KOMMERSANT as early as 20 March expressed doubts small or medium power are placed in shafts and detoas to whether the stolen mercury was the so-called "red." nated in such a way that the resulting waves cause

Experts also confirmed this conclusion after analyzing narrowly directed wavelike tremors of the earth's crust in

the stolen substance in the possession of the thieves, a specific area. According to the informant, as early as at

the beginning of the 1970's, such a directional explosion Yevgeniy Ovchinnikov, senior investigator in a depart- detonated in Semipalatinsk was recorded in Chukotka.

ment of the Internal Affairs Administration, reported

yesterday to KOMMERSANT that there is now no Tectonic weapons were quite successfully developed in

question of smuggling "red mercury." In fact the sub- the former Soviet Union, and this area of development

stance is called "red mercuric oxide" [rtut okis kras- was a priority one. That is why the Eshery laboratory as

naya]. The Omsk office of the Institute of Catalysis of the well as other laboratories of the 12th Administration

Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences were classified as even more top secret than the activities

carried out its analysis. It was carried out in glass of military intelligence. It is claimed that the dismantling

half-liter containers, labelled "pure red mercuric oxide" of the laboratory will cost several hundred million dolTU6-09-3927-75, net weight 1 kilogram, batch 18, lars, and it is virtually impossible to dismantle such

Slavgorod Factory imeni Vereshchagin. The experts' precision equipment complete with biological sensors of

conclusions: "The substance in each of the four con- seismological activity.

tainers is red oxide of mercury [krasniy oksid rtuti]. It is

used in laboratory work and to derive chemical flow If one is to believe the statements by the Russian military

sources" [polucheniye khimicheskikh istochnikov toka]. leadership, no personnel remain today at the Eshery

As the investigator explained, there were also mistakes as laboratory, which is located in the immediate vicinity of

to who was buying and who was selling. This substance the frontline in the confrontation between Georgia and

has no strategic value; one can find it in any school Abkhazia. About 800 Russian assault troops are

laboratory. guarding the territory of the laboratory.

Eduard Shevardnadze, as one of the high-ranking comNuclear Facility Said Disguised as Seismological munist leaders back in the 1970's and 1980's, perhaps Lab knew about the actual state of affairs in the laboratory

and, for that reason, offered the Russian side the chance

A U2403134493 Kiev HOLOS UKRA YINY in Ukrainian either to use it jointly or to invite international observers

23 Mar 93 p 1 to monitor the facility. The Russian side responded by

categorically refusing the offer.

[Besik Barateli commentary from Tbilisi: "A Bang in In the opinion of competent military experts in Tbilisi,

Semipalatinsk Resounds in Chukotka, or Why the Seis- the very presence of this laboratory in the path of

mological Laboratory in Nizhniy Eshery Is So Dear to advancing Georgian troops last August caused a halt to

Russia"] their offensive at the beginning of the Georgian-

[Text] As a high-ranking military official-a retired Abkhazian conflict. As experts maintain, this particular

Russian Army colonel presently residing in Tbilisi- laboratory as well as the strategically extremely imporstated in a confidential conversation, the military facility tant air base in Gudauta-the main center of Abkhazian

in the village of Nizhniy Eshery has the status of separate separatists-are within the sphere of Russia's militarybattalion and is a seismological laboratory. It belongs to strategic interests in the Georgian Black Sea shore area.

the 12th Main Administration of Russia's Ministry of

Defense Headquarters, which deals with questions asso- Military Spokesmen on Eshery Lab

ciated with nuclear weapons. All together, there are ten

such facilities on the territory of the former Soviet Union 934K0767B Moscow ARGUMENTY I FAKTY

and they constitute a special brigade with the headquar- in Russian No 13, Apr 93 p 6

ters in the town of Zagorsk-7 near Moscow. Beside

Eshery, such military units are located in Plesetsk,

Novaya Zemlya, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and elsewhere. [Report by D. Makarov: "It Is Impossible To Create a

The laboratory in Eshery conducts observations on the Tectonic Weapon"]

seismological state of the earth's crust on the southern

flank of NATO, in North Africa, the Middle East, and [Text] "The lab in Eshery is as capable of influencing the

the Persian Gulf. However, according to the source, who seismological situation as the thermometer outside your

used to work at the Eshery laboratory in the 1970's and window is capable of influencing the weather,'" said

1980's, its activity is not limited to observations of the Colonel Yu. Cherepanov, deputy chief of the Russian

seismological state of the earth's crust. The laboratory is Ministry of Defense's seismological service. Our converlocated underground at a depth approximately equal to sation with officers of the 12th Main Directorate of the

the height of a 30-story building and is literally stuffed Russian Ministry of Defense [GU MO] took place after

with expensive uranium-containing equipment. This ARGUMENTY I FAKTY published in issue No. 9 Radio

equipment is used to conduct experiments with direc- Liberty's information on the development of the so-called

tional nuclear explosions. As a rule, nuclear charges of tectonic weapon.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 47

"Labs such as the one in Nizhniy Eshery are indeed One can ask a logical question: Why did Radio Liberty

located all over the former USSR. Their task is to broadcast such "strange" information?

monitor compliance with international agreements on

nuclear testing; they have no other functions," said a This is what General Zelentsov thinks on this subject: "A

deputy chief of the 12th GU MO, Lieutenant General S. tectonic weapon, had it been created, would be a weapon

Zelentsov. "The United States has the same kind of labs, of mass destruction. It does not work selectively. Thereand not just on their own territory, but also in Europe, fore, we are being accused of developing a barbaric weapon

Turkey, and other places." for use against peaceful inhabitants, thus driving a wedge

between the civilian population and the military."

"If underground nuclear explosions were to take place in

Eshery or somewhere else in the former USSR, it would Scientist Claims Binary Bomb at Secret Base

have been instantly detected. However, we have not

conducted any nuclear explosions for three years. PM3003174293 Moscow NEW TIMES

INTERNATIONAL in English No 10, Mar 93 "From the standpoint of physics, in principle, it is

impossible to create tectonic weapons for several rea- [Interview with Vladimir Uglev, described as "only

sons: recently one of the leading Soviet scientists in the chem-

"First, it is impossible to generate a directional seismic ical weapons development sphere," by Oleg Vishnyakov;

wave by an underground nuclear explosion, date, place not given: "An Interview With a Noose

Around the Neck. One of the Makers of the Soviet

"Second, even if we collect all nuclear weapons accumu- Binary Bomb Claims That It Is Being Kept at a Secret

lated on earth and explode them underground, the Base in the Bryansk Region"-first four paragraphs are

seismic energy generated will be barely equivalent to the introduction]

energy produced by an earthquake measuring 8.9 on the [Text] He arrived a half hour before the appointed time.

Richter scale, which happens approximately once every He said he felt nervous and he hadn't slept all night,

three years. getting ready for the first interview in his life. Vladimir

"Third, some may object that an underground nuclear Uglev, 46, only recently one of the leading Soviet scienexplosion, which indeed is not capable of creating an tists in the chemical weapons development sphere who

earthquake on its own, may serve as a sort of a trigger for had worked for 15 years in a super-secret town Volsk- 17

a quake already 'readied' by nature. For this, however, (about 100 kilometres off Saratov) had the courage to

we would have to know how to predict earthquakes so speak. He admitted that he does so after seeing no other

that they could be influenced. Unfortunately, we have way to openly support his colleague Vil Mirzayanov who

not learned to do it yet. is prosecuted for allegedly divulging a state secret.

"And something else. There are about 1,000 earthquakes "The Mirzayanov case" became widely known thanks to

taking place on earth every year, but so far nobody has the Russian and world press. NEW TIMES was the only

been able to establish any connection between them and magazine which managed to interview the scientist just

underground nuclear testing." the day before his arrest. In his interview, Mirzayanov

spoke about the new class of poison gases developed in

"All of the above," continued General Zelentsov, "is the USSR, whose toxic power surpasses all known of

very well known to Western physicists and the military, similar chemical agents, and about the binary weapon

Therefore, such accusations have never been put forward created on its basis in defiance of, if not the letter, then

in serious scientific literature or in communications of the spirit of the corresponding international agreements.

U.S. or NATO officials." At that time NEW TIMES undertook an independent

There was a question, however, that the officers of the investigation of "the binary bomb case." We managed to

12th GU MO could not answer with certainty and could interview an engineer of the National Organic Chemistry

only offer some guesses. The question goes more or less and Technology Institute (GSNIIOKhT) Andrey

like this: "Why do earthquakes on the territory of the Zheleznyakov who took part in laboratory experiments

former USSR happen, of all places, in the zones of ethnic with the binary weapon created on the basis of the

conflict?" chemical agent code-named Novichok (Fresher). As a

result of an accident he was exposed to Novichok and

One can only offer hypotheses in this respect, believes remained an invalid for the rest of his life.

Colonel M. Sazonov, a department chief in the seismic Now the maker of this deadly weapon was sitting in

service. In principle, any natural changes affect human

psyche to some extent; this includes the change of editorial office in person.

seasons and magnetic storms. It is possible that changes [Vishnyakov] To begin with, how was it that you started

in physical fields that take place during earthquakes have working in military chemistry?

a widespread impact on people living in seismologically

unstable regions. But this is only a hypothesis which [Uglev] In 1975 I graduated from the Moscow Institute

must be proven by special scientific research. of Chemical Technology and was assigned a job in the
JPRS-TND-93-010

48 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

Volsk branch of GSNIIOKhT. I immediately started I worked in secret archives, that I found their calculaworking as a member of a group headed by a well-known tions. All their plans were frustrated by the intelligence

scientist who developed new types of poisonous agents. I reports about the success of the Swedish scientist. As a

won't call him by name, because he still works in the result, their work was discontinued and all efforts were

Institute. It's he who managed to synthesize a principally focussed on making our own VX.

new phosphorous nerve agent which was later called

Novichok. [Vishnyakov] Your discovery must have created a sensation in scientific circles...

When I started my job in this laboratory, the work on

synthesizing the new chemical was already in full [Uglev] It did, though at first we did our best to keep the

swing-primary investigations were completed and the results of our work secret from our colleagues. This

first results obtained. Over a hundred chemicals of that would have afforded us to quietly continue investigaclass were synthesized during the 15 years that I worked tions. But Victor Petrunin who was Deputy Director of

there. Only five of them, those which were of "combat the Volsk branch of GSNIIOKhT made haste to report

use," were thoroughly investigated. The dubious honour the success to Moscow. Ivan Martynov, Director of

of discovering three of them belongs to me. GSNIIOKhT, immediately rushed to Volsk- 17.

[Vishnyakov] What does "thorough investigation" We were supplied with first-rate equipment-the only

mean? thing expected from us was work. We continued our

experiments, but we no longer felt at ease. All experi-

[Uglev] It means that the substance has passed all the ments conducted in our laboratory were classified "work

three stages of examination: the gauging of its main of prime importance," the highest degree of secrecy in

parameters, perfection of the technology of its produc- those years. All our reports, in hand writing as was

tion and, finally, field tests. required those days, were sent directly to GSNIIOKhT

in Moscow.

[Vishnyakov] Which means that the testing of this new

agent did take place at the test-site in Shikhany? Also in 1976 we filed an official application for a

certificate of authorshp. No answer from Moscow. Only

[Uglev] I personally have more than once taken part in it. 8 years afterwards I happened to accidentally learn that

A few kilos of such substances are manufactured with the absolute outsiders had defended their candidate and

help of experimental plants for each such test. In prin- doctoral dissertations based on the reports we submitted

ciple, one kilo would be enough to kill thousands of to Moscow. Boris Martynov, son of the then GSNIpeople. IOKhT Director, was among them.

[Vishnyakov] Vil Mirzayanov stated in his interview to

our magazine and in his other publications that the [Text] When we realized that our discovery had simply

destructive power of the agent surpasses the currently been stolen, I wrote a letter to the Director. My boss and

most powerful of them all, gas VX, by 5 to 8 times. An I were called to Moscow, they showed us our documents.

expert in the West has alrady expressed his opinion in Our applications from 1976, as well as our signatures,

the American press that this is impossible. were falsified. They offered us a deal-a considerable

promotion in exchange for our silence, but we refused.

[Uglev] This is possible. Laboratory experiments dem- After prolonged debates we managed to have the "outonstrated that the destructive power of the new agent siders" names erased from our application for authorand of VX must be approximately the same. Yet our ship of the invention but none of them was ever deprived

field tests made it clear that our "product" was much of their scientific degrees. Boris Martynov, D.Sc.(Chemmore effective. The military, who directed the tests, istry), is still heading a laboratory in GSNIIOKhT.

wouldn't even dare report the results to the high authorities for a long time, because they looked incredible. I'm positive that this plagiarism would have been impossible without Victor Petrunin's active participation, a

[Vishyakov] Couldn't you tell us, how many times more person totally devoid of any moral principles. Very soon

potent your "discovery" is than VX? he made a swift climb up in rank-now he occupies the

Director's chair at GSNIIOKhT.

[Uglev] Of course, I don't have the exact data, but the

military told me in a whisper that it was at least 5 to 10 [Vishnyakov] Is it true that neither the chemical agent

times stronger. you synthesized nor its components (precursors) were

included in any of the three lists of semifinished

[Vishnyakov] Do you see your discovery as being of the chemical agents whose reserves are subject to obligasame dimensions as the one made by the Swedish tory declaration and inspection under the Geneva

chemist Tammilin who was the first to synthesize VX in Convention?

1956?

[Uglev] Quite right. Besides, even having eliminated or

[Uglev] It's not for me to judge. I will only note that as "reconverted," under the Convention, all production

early as in the mid-1950's our scientists were very close facilities for the manufacturing of these poisonous

to the discovery of this chemical agent. It was later, when agents, we'll easily be able to arrange production of the
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 49

new agent from ordinary chemical products, if need be. [Vishnyakov] Last September the press published a list

One only has to know the technology. This is one more of double-purpose chemical agents and technologies.

"advantage" of this agent over other phosphorous poi- Henceforward their export requires special licences. The

sonous gases; sarin, soman and VX. resolution was signed personally by Boris Yeltsin. V.

Mirzayanov insists that this list fails to include the

[Vishnyakov] The leaders of your military chemical components both of the new agent and of the "Novochecomplex claim that Russia has never had binary chem- boksarsk VX." Consequently, they can be easily

ical weapons. Is that true? exported...

[Uglev] This is a lie. Out of the three new poison agents [Uglev] It really does fail to include either. The list

I have synthesized, one of them is the main component mentions the components of the binary weapon based on

in binary gas which, to the best of my knowledge, has the "classical" VX and not that which has been produced

successfully passed field tests. in Novocheboksarsk for 15 years. The latter, although it

has the same basic formula C 1,H26,OsPSN as VX, is

I also have other information about Russia having at substantially different from it on the level of radicals.

least one more type of binary gas made on the basis of Essentially, this agent is only akin to V-gas, which,

the so-called "Novocheboksarsk product," a chemical however, doesn't dimish its destructive power.

agent which we declared as VX in international agreements. I guess the work over both binary weapons was [Vishnyakov] But the President's advisors who had precarried out simultaneously. pared the list (perhaps this concerns A. Kuntsevich

again) couldn't have been unaware that it was incom-

[Vishnyakov] But in this case you are speaking about plete. Could they really have consciously drawn up such

developing and testing, and not about manufacturing, an incomplete document?

these weapons. In the opinion of the military, developing [Uglev] I can't offer a different answer to your question. doesn't count. [ge]Icntofradfeetase oyu usin As far as I see it, they could have been guided by two

[Uglev] I'm also informed about an undetermined quan- motives: the opportunity to sell unhindered strategic

tity of components for binary weapons having been chemical agents and technologies to countries like Iraq,

manufactured and currently being stored at a secret Libya or North Korea (none of which has joined the

depot somewhere in the Bryansk Region. If, of course, Geneva Convention) and thus enrich themselves or,

they haven't destroyed it to "cover their tracks." which is even more likely, the desire to "undermine" the

President on the eve of the signing of the Convention

There is also indirect evidence for the existence of binary and thus impede the process of chemical disarmament.

weapons-the Lenin Prize A. Kuntsevich, V. Petrunin Nor do I rule out the possibility of a collusion between

and other "strategians" were awarded in spring of 1991. the Russian and American military with the purpose to

This could occur only after [printed in boldface] an disrupt detente.

experimental consignment of a product launched into [Vishnyakov] Are you serious?

production was obtained.

[Uglev] You should understand that neither Kuntsevich [Vishnyakov] Can the components of the Russian binary and Petrunin nor their American colleagues can

agent be used separately for the benefit of the national applaude chemical disarmament. When as a young speeconomy? cialist I started working in Volsk-I 7, I believed that

chemical weapons were vitally important to our country

[Uglev] Such a weapon, if it existed, would be ideal to the tpevent Aericns fro waging a chmawr

military in all respects-any country, even having against us. Yet I couldn't obtain from our military an

assumed the obligations not to produce chemical answer to the simple question as to if we had a concept weapons, could nevertheless produce components of for using these weapons. Even today I'm confident that

binary gas with an easy conscience and use them as they've never had such a concept for their use-chemical

insect-killers or dies; at the same time, it would be ready weapons were a nice source of subsistence for our

for chemical warfare if the necessity arose. As far as I generals "ruh a fr ch o getsstate awrds,

know, such perfect weapons don't exist yet. Neverthe- generals, a "trough" from which to get state awards,

less, the agent I have synthesized can be rather easily prizes and subsidies for investigations.

disguised as a chemical product for civilian use in case of Now they try to forget about it, but in the the days of the

an international inspection. August putsch the generals of chemical troops were

among the first who saluted the "restoration of order" As concerns the other, not principally important compo- and who announced their support for the putschists.

nent, it has a rather respectable use in the national

economy. [Vishnyakov] Are you aware that after this publication

you are likely to share Vil Mirzayanov's fate? [Vishnyakov] In which domain?

[Uglev] I made this decision absolutely consciously and

[Uglev] I'd rather not answer this question. I'm prepared to take the consequences.
JPRS-TND-93-010

50 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

Tomsk Authorities Deny Biological Weapon built at government expense and intended for the medProduction ical industry has been appropriated by the private

LD2903093893 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English "Apromed" company. And "Apromed," of course, will

0911 GMT 29 Mar 93 not relinquish it voluntarily.

For a long time the collective of the VNIlbiokhimash-

[By ITAR-TASS correspondent Vladimir Yakushev] proekt, created to develop technologies based on fine

microbiological analysis, had not even had normal [Text] Tomsk March 29 TASS---Experts working in working conditions. They had randomly rented premises

Tomsk biological industry have categorically denied that scattered around Moscow and had taken shelter in attics

bacteriological weapons were ever produced in Tomsk. and cellars. But they gradually built a place for themThe statement was made following publications in the selves and finally created the complex of buildings in

American NEWSWEEK magazine, lately published by which the laboratory building under construction,

the MOSCOW NEWS, which greatly alarmed residents building "D," as it was called, was assigned not the least

of the city full of defence enterprises. significant role. Important things were being done within

the walls of the institute, including things for military

The publications contained a chart mapping out former purposes, for which the institute is now being reproached

Soviet cities-centers of bacteriological weapons pro- by its former chiefs, who have become the managers of

duction, testing and storage. Tomsk was among those the "Apromed" AO [joint-stock company]. After all, it's

cities indicated on the chart. stylish now to curse the military-industrial complex, "Tomsk," forgetting that it was not just a consumer but also a

"We do not know anything about this in Tocreator, who created not the worst products in the world

Professor Gennadiy Plekhanov, director of Biology and and who brought the country hard currency.

Biophysics Research Institute, said on Monday.

"This is misinformation. We have never had anything to With the start of conversion, the NPO "Biomash," of

do with bacteriological weapons," said Nikolay Cherny, which the institute is now part, focused totally on the

director of "Virion" Scientific and Research Associa- problems of the national economy, developing technoltion. ogies medicine, for obtaining biologically active substances for the food industry, and agriculture. Here they

Many other polled experts in biology also categorically created processes for obtaining beta-carotene (prevents

denied the development and production of biological many disorders, including oncological ones), amino

weapons in Tomsk. acids, pectins, microbiological polysaccharides (they

increase the yield of oil from wells). They found stimulating additives for animals, ecologically pure plant Privatization of 'Biomash' NPO Plant Contested protectants, biological fertilizers, the technology for

93P60150A Moscow TR UD in Russian 28 Jan 93 p 2 obtaining extracts from medicinal herbs with a high

output of useful substances, and much else.

[Article by Lidiya Ivchenko: "The Building 'D' Affair. A Naturally, the workers became interested in having their

Private Firm Has Privatized a Major Medical Factory developments pass beyond the boundaries of the laborafor a Song"] tories and yield as valuable products as possible. And

[Text] One morning in January a group of men wearing here the collective placed their greatest hopes on

paratrooper uniforms and armed with police truncheons building "D," which, as it were, completed the experitook the fence of the guarded territory of the Moscow mental-production cycle.

Scientific Production Association "Biomash" by storm

and ensconced themselves in a building under construc- In June 1990, when the USSR Council of Ministers

tion. The leader of the detachment explained to the NPO Decree No. 590 "On Approving the Regulation on

[scientific production association] management that the Joint-Stock Companies and Companies With Limited

men of this private sub-unit were acting under contract Liability" came out, on the wave of new trends the

with the "Apromed" joint-stock company, which has former managers of the NPO decided to create a jointbeen asserting a claim to the seized building, and that stock company in order, in their words, to attract money

they would remain there as long as their employer from commercial structures and finish construction of

required. At the same time, "Apromed" was planning to the building. In a few short days "Biomash" became one

demolish the fence and make a gate in order to have its of the founders of the "Apromed" AO, which was

own entrance to the building, which it considers its own. headed by M. Kuzmich and V. Makarevich, who simultaneously remained the deputies of the "Biomash" gen- This is a story for the prosecutor rather than for the eral director. Working in the interests of the private

newspaper. It contains a host of complicated legal issues, structure created by them, they contributed the unfinand all possible investigations amount to clearing them ished building "D"-state property which did not belong

up amidst an avalanche of contradictory documents. But to "Biomash"-to the joint-stock company's capital

the essence of the matter is that a laboratory building fund.
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 51

"Perhaps at the time we didn't know, didn't understand hats? Is uncompensated transfer of a building under

what we were doing, that actually privatization was construction-state property-into private hands conoccurring," says "Apromed" AO President M. Kuzmich, trary to the RSFSR Law "On Privatization of State and

"but this uncompleted building, then valued at 1.1 Municipal Enterprises in the RSFSR," lawful? Was it

million rubles, was contributed to the capital fund. Yes, from state positions that former Deputy Chairman of the

it was state property, but after official registration of the Russian Property Committee A. Yutkin-who began

documents, everything transferred to the capital fund, in this "privatization" with his decision-spoke? And is a

accordance with the 'Law on Property in the RSFSR,' "Certificate of Ownership for a Privatized Enterprise"

becomes the common property of the stockholders..." issued for a building that no one had privatized, legal?

And that is how it all began. In the beginning the Everyone interprets these answers in his own way: this is

collective protested: Why hadn't people been asked? not at all easy amidst the masses of mutually exclusive

After all, the decision to create a joint-stock company laws, regulations, decrees and addenda. To crown it all

was made individually by General Director V. Popov, in off, by decree of the Russian Federation Government

violation of the fifth paragraph of the aforementioned dated 30 December 1991, building "D" is included in a

Council of Ministers decree. The director "reassured" list of the most important construction projects for 1992

the gathering that the NPO was not part of any joint- being financed from the state budget! It's enough to

stock companies. When this was said, "Biomash" had make your head spin...

already been listed as a founder of "Apromed" for a half I feel for the collective of the scientific production

year. As it turns out, were there reasons to conceal the i fo but r the of m one suction

truth? At the same time documents were being officially association but I can offer them only one suggestion-c registered. Literally one month later the uncompleted apply for arbitration, for the knot of legal ignorance, buildinged."D"tewaslytransferredlatto building "D" was transferred to the the "Apromed" uApromedshortsightedness, AO untied (or cut) by scheming a court. And and deception can only be I have related this for

balance sheet. And gave cceted.. what th oter is more, Tis quietly, n paceof secretly, he one ealutier others' edification: cut) by in a a court. complex And I time haerlate of conflict, thifwhen

gave, the other accepted... This in place of the real innumerable abuses exist, it is still best to learn from

commission, documents, and grounds that are required others' experience.

for actions of this kind.

Under the pressure of circumstances, the new director of Commentary Urges Pyongyang To Clarify Nuclear

the NPO, K. Alibekov, announced [its] withdrawal from Intent

the joint-stock company, especially as the deal had been SK2903114993 Moscow Radio Moscow in Korean

declared illegal by the "Biopreparat" concern (arisen 1000 GMT 24 Mar 93

from the fragments of the former Minmedprom) to

which "Biomash," together with other subdivisions, [Talk by station commentator Yuriy Solton from the

belonged. Naturally he wanted to return his investment. "Focus on Asia" Program; "Will Pyongyang Make Nothing of the sort happened. One may invest, but not

"un-invest"-the stockholder has no right to demand his Public the Secret of Its Nuclear Project?"]

shares back. [Text] Tension is relaxing on the Korean peninsula. It

has been reported that Pyongyang has lifted the complete "It is now the property of the joint-stock company," combat-ready posture of its army. However, Pyongyexplains M. Kuzmich. "Now, if everyone begins to ang's official statements so far have not answered the

demand his investment back, we will have to disband question of whether it would accept the International

ourselves! We are ready to reimburse 'Biomash' the Atomic Energy Agency's [IAEA] inspections of its milimonetary value of its investment..." tary sites. The deadline given by the IAEA is 31 March.

There is probably no point in explaining what a thou- Since its declaration on the withdrawal from the Nuclear

sand-square-meter facility is, compared with 1.1 million Nonproliferation Treaty [NPT), Pyongyang has kept

inflated rubles. That's right, an enterprise which operates silent on this matter. This has led people to suspect that

70 percent for public health needs (the concern supplies its nuclear project has military purposes.

8 billion rubles worth of medicines, blood transfusion

systems, etc.) has lost its production area. A private Regarding this, several recent newspaper articles have

company engaged in the manufacture of cosmetic cream attracted our attention. In a report by its Moscow

and hair gel has become the proprietor of a building built correspondent, Japan's SANKEI SHIMBUN said that at

at government expense. What is more, without compen- the end of the Brezhnev rule, Pyongyang had planned to

sation, having for this a "Certificate of Ownership for a test its nuclear bombs at one of the Soviet nuclear test

Privatized Enterprise," issued by the Russian State sites. There is also a report that Pyongyang has had secret

Property Committee. dealings with Tehran. The report also says that the

DPRK promised to hand over its technology for nuclear

I personally had a lot of questions about this. Is it lawful weapons manufacturing to Iran for $500 million. Moreto consider irreversible a conversion to joint-stock com- over, Korea is known to have completed its project to

pany status carried out by the unconstrained decision of manufacture Soviet-designed Scud missiles. Iraq used a

people who were simultaneously wearing two official similar model during the Persian Gulf war. According to
JPRS-TND-93-010

52 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

several other newspaper reports, Pyongyang has devel- The meeting also examined a draft decree by the Armeoped the Nodong 1 ballistic missile capable of loading a nian president on measures to control the export of

small nuclear warhead with a shooting range of up to material, equipment, and technology from Armenia that

1,000 km. might be used to produce weapons of mass destruction.

This report is based on [word indistinct] experts' opinion The meeting opened the way for an agreement that

and intelligence information. Therefore, its accuracy is allows the European Bank for Reconstruction and

(?beyond doubt). Development to allocate $57.4 million in credits to

Armenia for the construction of the fifth unit of the

Still, this report can hardly repel our doubts. In this Razdan Power Plant. The credit will be repaid in 15

regard, the United States, Japan, and the ROK are going years.

so far as to prepare countermeasures: In the event that

Pyongyang does not accept the IAEA's inspections, this The meeting also decided on a system of control over the

issue will be discussed at the UN Security Council. Then, distribution, use, and committed expenditure of the

it will end up with sanctions against the DPRK. credits that will be issued for investment purposes.

China opposes the sanctions which would aggravate the BELARUS

situation. No one can exercise its influence on

Pyongyang to ensure that it accepts the IAEA's inspec- UK, U.S., Russia Give Security Guarantees to

tion or rejoins the NPT. However, unless the DPRK Belarus

clarifies its nuclear project, it may be faced with stern 0W0504133993 Moscow INTERFAX in English

measures by its neighboring countries. Stability in the 1106 GMT 5 Apr 93

region will then be aggravated to the extreme.

[Following item transmitted via KYODO]

ARMIENIA [Text] Great Britain, the United States, and Russia have

given Belarus additional security guarantees, of which

the republic's Foreign Affairs Ministry received an official confirmation on Monday [5 April]. The guarantees Armenia Considers Export Controls of Material were given to Belarus in connection with the country's

NC0304103693 Yerevan Radio Yerevan International compliance with the treaty on non-proliferation of

Service in Armenian 1530 GMT 2 Apr 93 nuclear arms and the Belarusian parliament's ratification of START I.

[Text] An expanded session of the Armenian Council of

Ministers Presidium was held under Prime Minister A memo from London states that "the United Kingdom,

Grant Bagratyan. in accordance with the UN Charter, will aid any nonnuclear state which is a member of the treaty on nonIt adopted a decision on organizing border trade proliferation of nuclear arms, including Belarus, if it

according to the Armenian-Iranian trade and economic becomes a victim of aggression or is subject to the threat

agreement. The decision is to be published, of aggression with the use of nuclear arms."
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 53

ESTONIA [Shkolnik] Last year Kazakhstan declared its adherence

to that organization. 147 states are members of it. To

eStolen Again in Estonia join the IAEA one must sign several agreements about

Cesium-137 Isotope Ssafeguards. Placing peaceful nuclear facilities under safe0W2903215693 Moscow BALTFAX in English guards includes a large complex of technical and organi1847 GMT 29 Mar 93 zational measures, connected with establishing the

appropriate monitoring of nuclear technologies and

[Following item transmitted via KYODO] materials, in order to prevent their use for non-peaceful

purposes.

[Text] A piece of equipment has been recently stolen

from the Kokhtla-Jarve located "Slantsekhim" corpora- This is already the second visit by IAEA specialists to the

tion mineral fertilizer plant, containing radioactive Republic of Kazakhstan. The first time they came they

Cesium-137 isotope. This is already the second instance acquainted themselves with the work of the nuclear

of the kind at the plant. The first theft occurred last fall, faciltiies in Aktau and the Nuclear Physics Institute near

and police managed to find the stolen object in Tallin. Alma-Ata. This time they visited Ust-Kamenogorsk and

Kurchatov. Among the members of the group were three

"Baltfax" obtained from competent sources information employees of Division S of the Safeguards Department,

that once disassembled the equipment becomes a source headed by a section chief, Mr Murakami.

of powerful gamma radiation and poses a threat to the

health of the thief and those around him. The purpose of the visit was to acquaint them with our

nuclear facilties and to work out further plans for coopPolice Detain Thieves eration in placing them under safeguards, training personnel, and defining specific aid to the Republic of

0W0704015493 Moscow BALTFAX in English Kazakhstan in performing this work.

1915 GMT 6 Apr 93

At the IAEA's expense, an international seminar for

[Following item transmitted via KYODO] workers in the nuclear industry complex and the corresponding state structures will be held in Alma-Ata in

[Text] On Tuesday [6 April], employees of the Estonian June.

security police's Ida-Viru bureau detained two men who [Borisov] Will not the financial contribution, required

stole a device containing radioactive isotope Cesium- [BorisoiWin th o e finania cor required

137 at the mineral fertilizers plant of the industrial upon joining the IAEA, be burdensome for Kazakhstan?

association Slantsekhim in the city of Kokhtla-Yarve. [Shkolnik] It is not so large and it is greatly exceeded by

The detained, aged 28 and 35, worked as assistants of an the benefits which membership in that international

engine-driver in the industrial association Eesti organization will give us. Joing the IAEA will increase

Pylevkivi. They extracted 2.8 grams of cesium from the the prestige of our state and will make our nuclear policy

stolen device and intended to sell it, $9,000 per gram. open. Secondly, it will give us access to new nuclear

technologies and will expand the possibilities of our

Cesium-137 is a source of high-level gamma-radiation. market.

According to the police employees, the thieves experi- [Borisov] Will inspections by IAEA inspectors be unanenced a real shock when they learned the dose of radia- [ourisdvo will inspeuon by aeA in beuantion they received during their efforts. nounced or will their schedule be agreed on in advance?

[Shkolnik] The schedule for inspectors' trips and their

KAZAKHSTAN purposes will be considered by specialists in our agency.

An inspection does not signify interference in our

internal affairs, still less sniffing out any sort of nuclear

Kazakhstan Nuclear Chief on IAEA Inspections secrets or new technologies.

93P50151A Alma-Ata AZIYA (INTERNATIONAL [Borisov] What assessment have the IAEA specialists

WEEKLY) in Russian No 6, Feb 93 p 3 made of the nuclear facilities which they have visited?

[Interview by Sergey Borisov of AZIYA with Vladimir [Shkolnik] According to the specialists' conclusions, the

Shkolnik, general director of the Atomic Energy Agency level of technical equipment in our establishments, from

of the Republic of Kazakhstan; date and place not given: the point of view of establishing reliable monitoring, is

"It Is Most Important To Learn and To Learn From the high enough and makes it possible, in very short order, to

IAEA"] prepare them for a safeguards regime. Such an assessment was also given to the Swedish nuclear energy

[Text] [Borisov] Vladimir Sergeyevich, short reports have inspectors, with whom we closely cooperate. In that

appeared in newspapers about visits to Kazakhstani country there is a very high level of work in connection

nuclear facilities by inspectors of the International Atomic with nuclear safety. My upcoming visit to Sweden envisEnergy Agency [IAEAI. What are these "bride-shows" ages discussing what has already been done, as well as

connected with? training programs for Kazakhstani specialists in that
JPRS-TND-93-010

54 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

country. Such training will take place in March, and a initial information from the yearly nuclear fuel invengroup of 80 persons has already been chosen. tory, a lost container of nuclear fuel was not found by the

The work connected with joining the IAEA is going end of March.

forward according to a strict schedule. If there are no The Ignalina commission investigating the incident has

problems-and there is practically no reason to expect established that the container was delivered with nine

them-then in September-precisely when an IAEA other containers to the plant's reactor building on August

general conference will be held-our republic will

become a full-fledged member of that organization. 8/, 1992.

Of course, joining that organization is not an end in The commission decided to conduct a repeat inventory

itself. It is one of the most important phases in creating of all nuclear fuel at the Ignalina plant by April 20 of this

the republic's nuclear policy. The most important thing year. If the container does not turn up, they will run a

is that we must form in society such high concepts of check on all containters that were delivered to the first

culture and security that they will become superior to reactor in the second half of 1992. They will be able to do

any motivations for human activities, this only in July, when the reactor is to shut down for

planned repairs. The commission has not lost hope that

LITHUANIA the missing container may be found in the first reactor.

As is known, specialists from the power plant discovered

Lithuanian Nuclear Fuel Container Missing the loss of the container in the beginning of the year,

LD3003132493 Moscow ITAR-TASS in English when conducting an inventory of nuclear fuel. Later it

1212 GMT 30 Mar 93 was established that the container's technical documentation - "passport" - is also missing.

[By ITAR-TASS correspondent Vladas Burbulis] The State Inspectorate on Atomic Energy Safety and the

[Text] Vilnius March 30 TASS-A careful search International Agency for Atomic Energy have already throughout March has failed to find an unused container been notified of the missing container.

of nuclear fuel which has gone missing from Ignalina

nuclear power station, according to today's edition of the

newspaper RESPUBLIKA. UKRAINE

The cassette which weighs 270 kilogrammes, together Ukraine's Kravchuk Interviewed on Nuclear Issues

with registration certificate has disappeared without

leaving a trace. According to Yuriy Naumov, deputy LD0304183393 Kiev Radio Ukraine World Service

manager of the nuclear reactors, it costs around 60 in Ukrainian 0500 GMT 3 Apr 93

thousand U.S. dollars on the world market.

[Report by station observer Valentyn Vasylko on "main He said that 15-20 new nuclear fuel cassettes are stacked points" of 2 April live interview with Ukraine's Presieach week in every reactor and this is 60 per cent of the dent Leonid Kravchuk, answering questions posed by

cost of one kilowatt of generated electricity. readership of MOLOD UKRAYINY newspaper; por-

"The question of the missing cassette is not only finan- tions within quotation marks recorded]

cial, it is also one of prestige for the whole Ignalina [Text] Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk, in a live

nuclear power plant. Bookkeeping of nuclear fuel is Ukrainian television and radio broadcast on 2 April, extremely poor at the station and this is unsafe for the answered a variety of questions posed by the readership environment and people", writes RESPUBLIKA. of the newspaper MOLOD UKRAYINY. Radio Ukraine

A nuclear power plant which cannot keep reliable books observer Valentyn Vasylko introduces the audience of

and store nuclear fuel should be deprived of the right to Radio Ukraine External Service to the main points of

furthering its acquisition, and is justifiably alarming Leonid Kravchuk's answers.

neighbouring countries and international organizations, [Vasylko] Here is what Leonid Kravchuk said answering

it added. the question on nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the first in

a number of topics raised:

Further Reporting [Kravchuk] "It is not for the first time that this question

0W0204210893 Moscow BALTFAX in English is being asked. It is even being posed by deputies. Today, 1616 GMT 2 Apr 93 I received a statement by the Lvov Viche [People's

Assembly]. The statement openly demands that the

[Following item transmitted via KYODO] president declare Ukraine a nuclear state.

[Text] Director of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in "Well, to begin with, these issues today are no longer

Lithuania Viktor Shevaldin stated that, according to settled by the president, because there is a Supreme
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 CENTRAL EURASIA 55

Council declaration, or rather a Supreme Council reso- [Kravchuk] "There are forces today which would not like

lution, to the effect that Ukrainian policy in this sphere to see Ukraine independent. There are forces which

is gradually-I would like to stress this-gradually to understand independence in a particular way. They say

attain a nuclear-free status and be a state which will it has got to be an independent republic within the

accede to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. All of framework of either the CIS or the Union, or something

this is our policy, else. That is to say, these forces understand independence partially and not completely, not as sovereignty "However, policy is one thing. We also must take exactly and full independence.

the road that we have determined and not be a state

whose policy changes, because in that case we would not "What partial independence are they talking about?

be respected. I have already said this on several occa- There are those who are against independence, and we

sions and want to stress this once again for you. know this. It is hard to say how large these forces are, but

"But there also are military, technological, economic, they exist. I think here our fear of it should not be

and other aspects of this matter. After all, a nuclear state exaggerated, but it is there.

can only be nuclear by having a nuclear industry. That is "As for combating these forces, it should only be based on

to say, the warheads that are today on the nuclear law. If we transgress the law, everybody must realize that

missiles cannot be used by Ukraine as weapons because that is the road to totalitarianism and lawlessness. We have

they were not manufactured by us. This is the main already experienced all of this, and those who are older

point. We never want to use the warheads as weapons. know about the grave consequences this had for us."

We stand for the elimination of nuclear weapons

throughout the world. Thus Ukraine wants to (?set an [Vasylko] Following the question on opposition to

example), but to do so prudently. Ukrainian independence, Leonid Kravchuk was asked

"We have certain issues that must be settled, those in about his support for such a notorious figure as Metrorespect of Ukraine's security, compensation, aid, politan Filaret. In reply, the Ukrainian president said:

finance, organization, and others. These issues must be

settled and we will settle them in accordance with our [Kravchuk] "First, I support nobody. My attitude is the

state policy." same toward everybody, both toward Volodymyr and

Filaret, as well as toward Lyubachivskyy [Cardinal

Myroslav Ivan Lyubachivskyy of Ukrainian Catholic [Vasylko] Answering a question on the former CPSU Church], and all the heads of church that function in

functionaries, or partocrats, stepping up their activity Ukraine today. [passage indistinct] In all the documents

generally in Ukraine, and particularly in parliament, adopted by me, I raise the same issue of principle in all

President Kravchuk said: of [word indistinct], and that is that the state should

[Kravchuk] "I would not like to generalize all the depu- form conditions for religious rights to be exercised, for

ties. The term partocrat has already become widely used. equal rights and opportunities for all the churches and all

But no generalization can be made. As far as using this the beliefs to function. Here I do not provide any

terminology is concerned, partocrats differ, (?it seems to advantage for anyone.

me). Not all of the former Communists in the Supreme "The only thing is that I would like to appeal to believers

Council assess the current situation in the same way and and representatives and heads of church to find strength

act in the same way. in themselves, and for the possibility not to exacerbate

"However, we must not forget that there are both the the interdenominational quarrel, and to take the road of

right- and left-wings. I want this to be known and unity. [passage indistinct] The internal struggle has got to

analyzed correspondingly. Everything today cannot be stop and the road to concord has to be found.

blamed on one side. No lesser harm is being caused to us

by both the right- and left-wings. However, I understand "As for the structures of power and others, they must not

that a significant distance will have to be traversed so directly interfere in interdenominational and (?tradithat people may understand the situation and (?contrib- tional) matters. This should only be done on the basis of

ute to) the protection of the state. law. [passage indistinct]."

"But someone might not understand this, and a constitution really needs to be adopted now. [Words indistinct] [Vasylko] Next followed a question on Russianwill execute its will and its command. But it is unrealistic Ukrainian relations. In particular, Leonid Kravchuk was

to believe that today someone can be forcefully prohib- asked about his meeting with Ruslan Khasbulatov and

ited or someone can be forcefully ousted from the his attitude toward territorial claims made by Russia

Supreme Council or a local council. This would not be against Ukraine. Here is Leonid Kravchuk's reply: democracy. This would not be a law-abiding state." [Kravchuk] "First, I needed a meeting with Khasbulatov

[Vasylko] The third topic raised concerned the presi- in Kiev at the residence of the president to speak to him

dent's awareness of opposition to Ukrainian indepen- once again and to propose that everything possible

dence. Here is Leonid Kravchuk's answer: should be done by the Supreme Soviet chairman to
JPRS-TND-93-010

56 CENTRAL EURASIA 16 April 1993

prevent the further examination of issues connected with newspapers-I simply do not read papers that are pubthe territorial integrity of Ukraine. As for me, this was lished abroad. However, Ukraine is building its indepenthe main point, dent state, Ukraine is building its independent economy-we are managing this with difficulties, Ukraine is

"I can openly say that, of course, Khasbulatov under- pursuing its independent foreign policy and we are

stands the complexity of all of this. But not everything managing with difficulties as well and we will be doing

depends on him in this instance. I do not make excuses everything to uphold the independence of our state, in

for Khasbulatov, because he has got his own point of the first place, with the help of our own people and also

view and he has the right to hold this point of view. by means of (?close) cooperation and mutual underHowever, whether or not to raise this at the Supreme standing with other peoples including Russia.

Soviet and its commissions does not entirely depend on I want everyone to understand that we have no grounds

Khasbulatov. The composition of deputies and, unfor- and no right before ourselves, before history and before

tunately, the manner of thinking of many Russian dep- our grandchildren to quarrel with Russia at present. We

uties is such that they cannot come to terms with the fact can and must live with Russia only in peace, accord,

that Ukraine is an independent state, and they cannot partnership and friendship. There simply is no any other

accept the fact that the Crimea and Sevastopol at a way. If someone understands this in a way that one can

certain time in the past [words indistinct) were trans- pursue the line of confrontation-this means being

ferred to Ukraine in accordance with the laws adopted doomed to complete confrontation. We cannot allow

by resolutions and decisions without any violations, this-there are millions of people. Russia is great and

Ukraine is great; can they afford such an unconsidered

"I cannot agree with those rhetorical questions that raise and careless policy as that which is sometimes suggested

to us? I repeat, only cooperation, mutual help as well as the reconsideration of the borders. I insist and maintain accord, friendship and partnership must determine our

that the only correct way for this question to be posed today's and long-term goals."

today is not to raise the issue of territorial integrity, the

issue of the borders. [Vasylko] Leonid Kravchuk was also asked the following

question: In his opinion, how will Ukraine live in a year

"Everybody has to realize straight away that, if we take or in two or three years?

that road it is going to be the road of (?danger and) [Kravchuk] "It depends on two factors how Ukraine will

confrontation. "We have got to live with Russia as live in a year or in two or three years: on our ability and

friendly neighbors and equal partners. This is what was wisdom to govern the state and not to allow confrontadetermined for us by destiny, and this is what was tion. I apply this, in the first place, to the president, the

determined for us by history. That is why steps which government and the Supreme Council. And, second, on

would exacerbate our (?neighborliness) should not be the ability of people to work and not argue. If these two

taken today." factors work, we will govern and will quickly get rid of

those mistakes, and these mistakes do exist, and people

[Vasylko] Kravchuk was asked a question about certain will stop going against each other--one party against

forecasts in the West that Ukraine will be swallowed up another, one movement against another-and will unite,

by Russia in a year or so. will achieve accord and will start working for Ukraine.

So if these two factors start working, I am convinced that

[Kravchuk] First, [words indistinct] I do not know what in a year or two Ukraine will be both independent and

Western politicians make such analysis and give such richer and a legal state. We will preserve the state of

recommendations that Russia will swallow up Ukraine Ukraine (?for ourselves) and (?for) our children and

in a year and a half. It is possible that they write this in grandchildren (?and will) be building it."
JPRS-TND-93-010

16 April 1993 WEST EUROPE 57

GERMANY Heidsieck: It is a bitter thing to do, but necessary if we

are to win back lost trust. The entire work force here is

united in this.

Company Official on Controls of Dual-Use VDI Nachrichten: Why do you accept such trade losses

Materials when the pertinent laws and export regulations would

93WS026IC Duesseldorf VDI NA CHRICHTEN permit such trade?

in German 29 Jan 93 p 5

Heidsieck: To protect ourselves. It was not so very long

ago that Iraq was viewed very favorably by the West

[Article by Juergen Salz: "Regaining Trust"] because a good many politicians saw Iraq as a bulwark

against the spread of fundamentalism. Then the Gulf

[Text] VDI-N, Hanau, 29 Jan 93-Because of its contro- war broke out and many companies suddenly found [Texi VI-N 9 Jn Hanu, 93Becusethemselves being pilloried. The situation with Iran was

versial exports to countries like Iraq, Libya, and Pakistan, them opposing pilly, Iran was

Leybold AG, vacuum technology specialist in Hanau, has just the opposite. Initially, Iran was isolated for many

been constantly making the headlines. The company is years, then German industrialists were being encouraged

promising promistangty to improvekits improve its thecord record, howliev. however. Supec Suspect cpn- con- i to aprvlatnsosmecurishngrpdy.I invest there and help in reconstruction. Obviously, the

tracts are now being refused, and in the process, Leybold approval ratings of some countries change rapidly. In

trcs areing miono bing resed, aorder not to be left out in the cold, we consider it prudent

is losing millions in income, to assume some responsibility by a policy of selfVDI Nachrichten: Dr. Heidsieck, for some months now restraint.

Leybold has had strict internal guidelines in place with VDI Nachrichten: And if you were to receive a request

respect to exports. Do you have a bad conscience today from Iran today...?

because of your earlier exports to Iraq, Libya, and

Pakistan of dual-use goods, i.e., goods that can be used Heidsieck: ...We would refer it immediately to the Govfor both military and civil purposes? ernment Export Control Office. The same policy would

hold for India, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, and Syria. Heidsieck: It is not a question of having a bad con- With some customers we have put agreements in place

science. It is simply that we have reacted to the changed that would give us permission to conduct inspections on

political, societal, and legal conditions in place since the the spot to determine with certainty that our products

end of the Gulf war by changing our internal guidelines, are not being used for purposes other than those stipulated.

VDI Nachrichten: Just how do you describe your new

company policy in practical terms? VDI Nachrichten: Customers from these sensitive counHeidsieck: According to our new guidelines, we abso- tries would not always approach Leybold directly.

lutely do not export when we know, or have grounds for Heidsieck: That is correct, but experience to date shows

knowing, that our products will be misused by the that attempts to circumvent our control system are

customer or end user for the development and produc- detected. We have established a staff office for export

tion of nuclear weapons or their delivery systems. controls. Its four-member staff thoroughly checks out

every contract. Nothing leaves the company without a

Last year, for example, we refused to put an arc smelting signature of approval by the head of that control office.

furnace into operation in India, even though the project Incidently, the same procedures can also be required for

had been approved by the responsible German authori- deliveries within Germany. We inspect each packing

ties. After receiving our government's approval, we were crate before it leaves the premises to ascertain with

informed by certain U.S. sources that the products to be finality that everything therein contained is as described.

produced in our furnace could possibly be used for

military purposes. We then made further inquiries in

U.S. offices and the Atomic Energy Agency [AEA]. But Kohl Calls for Bilateral Nuclear Dialogue

no one could give us any additional information, nor was 93WPOI13A Madras THE HINDU in English

any official agency prepared to provide us with specific 20 Feb 93 p 9

information.

VDI Nachrichten: How many million German marks [Article: "Germany Willing To Have N-Talks"]

[DM] in trade turnover has Leybold lost in this way? [Text] New Delhi, Feb. 19. Germany has expressed its

desire to enter into bilateral nuclear dialogue with India

Heidsieck: Calculated for the year, we easily reach a even as it feels that New Delhi should ratify the Nuclear

figure of tens of millions. Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

VDI Nachrichten: How do you explain to your "We know that you share our aim of drastically reducing

employees the fact that you are refusing contracts, while nuclear weapons as well as preventing their proliferation.

at the same time you are eliminating many jobs and We therefore hope that soon, India too, will be able to

entering red figures in the books? ratify the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
JPRS-TND-93-010

58 WEST EUROPE 16 April 1993

weapons and the control regime which is a part of it," the several powerful quarters to sign the NPT, India has so

German Chancellor, Mr. Helmut Kohl said at a banquet far stuck to its guns, rejecting the NPT as discriminatory.

held in his honour by the Prime Minister today. Significantly, the German Chancellor's address in the

context of disarmament and non-proliferation, links

Mr. Kohl said, "We are prepared to conduct a compre- India's ratification of NPT to Indo-German economic

hensive dialogue with you on aspects of non- and technical co-operation. Ratification of the NPT by

proliferation." India would be "beneficial to Indo-German economic

and technical co-operation," Mr. Kohl, said.

The comment assumes importance in the context of the Referring to the Indo-Pak bilateral dialogue, Mr. Kohl

possibility of the expansion of India's nuclear diplomacy urged both countries to consistently continue the confiat a bilateral level. Notwithstanding pressures from dence building process.
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