White
House Warns of Russian Nuclear Activity
Paraphrased
by:
Steve Waldrop
May 15, 2002
Washington--
Bush administration officials claim to have disturbing intelligence
indicating that Russia is preparing to resume nuclear testing. This
comes just before President and President Vladimir Putin of Russia are
scheduled to meet to discuss arms control.
Selected members of Congress met in a closed session and were told of
a new analysis by the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee, a
panel that collects the views of many federal agencies on nuclear issues.
The
report described technical activities on a Russian island above the
Artic Circle that is the equivalent of the American nuclear test range
in Nevada. Officials said that the pattern of work on the island, Novaya
Zemlya, matches known Russian activities in preparation for past nuclear
tests.
Reaction to the assessment ranged from alarm to skepticism. This is
not the first time that American intelligence agencies has warned of
activities on the island. Some government analysts feel that Russia
may already have detonated tiny nuclear devices.
Some members of congress that attended the briefing, thought that the
report was just a tactic to help clear the way for the United States
to resume nuclear testing. Others were so concerned that they drafted
legislation that would call for access to Russian nuclear sites and
allow work on a new generation of U.S. nuclear warheads.
Russian officials continue to maintain that their nuclear program remains
within the constraints of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. President
Bill Clinton signed the treaty in 1996, but it has not been ratified
by the senate.
The Bush administration continues to honor the test moratorium, but
feels the treaty does not protect the nation's security interests.
