Protecting Against the Spread of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons: An Action Agenda for the Global Partnership
On January 20, 2003, experts from fifteen security organizations from Europe, Russia, North America, and Asia met in London to release a detailed action agenda to reduce the threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and committed themselves to building the necessary political and public support to ensure international action on these urgent issues. This coalition of security organizations called on the G8 and other nations to follow the roadmap outlined in the report, "Protecting Against the Spread of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons".
This is the first time that experts from so many nations have reached consensus on specific steps to secure, account for, and safely dispose of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, agents, materials, and infrastructure in Russia and the former Soviet states. The coalition of security organizations provided a roadmap for implementing the commitment made by G8 leaders at their June 2002 summit meeting in Kananaskis, Canada, to devote $20 billion over the next decade to establish a Global Partnership aimed at stopping the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction.
The report also offers the first nation-by-nation assessment of what is currently being done to address the threat, identifies gaps in existing nonproliferation assistance programs in Russia and the former Soviet states, makes specific recommendations for future priorities, and proposes mechanisms for strengthening coordination.
The international coalition's report concludes that the relationship between the international community and Russia should be transformed from patronage to partnership. According to the report, "that means treating Russia not as a dependant client but as an equal partner who must be fully integrated into the design and operation of specific projects as well as the planning and guidance of the overall effort." Under this new relationship, Russia's responsibilities include overcoming the bureaucratic and other obstacles that have long impeded efforts to assist Moscow in securing and disposing of its Cold War legacy of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and infrastructure.
The report is the first phase in a project sponsored by NTI and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
About
"Protecting Against the Spread of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons: An Action Agenda for the Global Partnership" by Robert J. Einhorn and Michelle A. Flournoy, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), January 2003.
Understanding
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