The mission of the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) is "to
support R&D projects submitted by Ukrainian scientists and engineers,
formerly involved with the development of weapons of mass destruction and
their means of delivery, as part of the general process of conversion from
a military to a civilian, market oriented environment." An agreement to
establish the center was signed on 25 October 1993 by Canada, Sweden, Ukraine,
and the United States. On 4 May 1994, Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk
signed the decree by which the STCU entered into force. The STCU became
fully active in January 1995 and became the first intergovernmental organization
based in Ukraine.[1] The STCU supports projects in diverse scientific fields,
encouraging those with potential commercial applications. During the first
two years of its operation, the STCU approved 155 projects totaling $18.3
million. In 1998 the STCU budget totalled $28 million. Georgia and Uzbekistan
also participate in STCU projects.[2] (For more information please see
the STCU website at http://www.stcu.kiev.ua.)
The STCU is a separate entity from the International
Science and Technology Center located in Russia.
Sources: [1] "First Annual Report," Science and Technology Center
in Ukraine, 1996, pp. 7-8. [2] Leonid Khomiakov, "The Brain Market,"
Eastern Economist,
12
January 1998, pp. 9-10. {Entered 3/4/99 SK}
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF UKRAINE DEVELOPMENTS:
5/27/99: STCU APPROVES 24 NEW PROJECTS At its May 1999 meeting, the Governing Board of the STCU committed $3.7
million to 24 new projects. Several special expedited projects will be
dedicated to resolving Y2K software coding problems at Ukrainian nuclear
power stations. Other projects will involve research on liquid radioactive
waste treatment methods and the study of lithium borate single crystals
for use in radiation detection equipment. The new projects will be carried
out across Ukraine and Uzbekistan, employing 435 scientists, 293 of whom
have experience working on WMD. The Board also expanded the base of its
partner organizations and sponsors, including a number of Canadian and
European firms. Since it began work in 1995, the STCU has funded projects
worth $29 million and employed over 4500 scientists.
["Joint Statement: 8th STCU Governing Board Meeting," 27
May 1999, STCU web site, http://www.stcu.kiev.ua/html/news/n_rel.htm.]
{Entered 8/19/99 SK}
11/26/98: SWEDEN WITHDRAWS FROM STCU AGREEMENT
BUT CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP THROUGH EU At the sixth STCU Board of Governors meeting in May
1998, Sweden gave notice that it planned to withdraw from the STCU Agreement
but would remain involved in the STCU as an EU member. The EU officially
joined the STCU agreement on 26 November 1998.[1] Sweden was an original
member of the STCU agreement along with Canada and the United States.
During its membership, Sweden funded 43 projects worth $1.6 million and
established a travel grant program supporting Ukrainian and Swedish scientists.[2]
Sources: [1] NISNP Correspondence with STCU Official, 12 October 1999, UKR991012. [2] STCU Annual Report 1998 (Kiev:
1999), p. 8. {Entered 10/12/99 GD}
12/16/97: STCU APPROVES 33 NEW PROJECTS At a December 1997 meeting, the Governing Board of
the STCU committed $3.6 million to 33 new projects. Three projects will
be Chornobyl-related, two examining thyroid cancer and leukemia cases among
Chornobyl accident victims, and a third will involve development of technology
for processing combustible radioactive technogenic waste from nuclear power
plants. Another project will examine new methods of radioactive waste transport
aboard railcars. The newly approved projects brings the cumulative total of former weapons scientists and engineers employed to over 2600.
["Ukraine Science and Technology Center
Approves of 33 New Projects," Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor,
9 February 1998, p. 8.] {Entered 8/16/99 SK}
6/95:STCU WRAPPED UP IN RED TAPE The STCU encountered a number of bureaucratic problems in getting started.
In early June 1995, the State Commission for Export Control informed the
STCU that the Committee must receive all project proposals for security
review before they can be approved. In addition, the Central Bank informed
the STCU that 50 percent of its local deposits must be converted into the
local currency.
[Adam Moody, "A Case Study on the Cooperative Threat Reduction
Science Center Initiative," prepared for the Nunn-Lugar CTR Program in
Monterey, 8/20-22/95, pp. 34-35.]
12/94: US STATE DEPARTMENT TO OVERSEE STCU PROJECT Funding sources changed when responsibility for the STCU was transferred
from DOE to the State Department.
[Adam Moody, "A Case Study on the Cooperative Threat Reduction
Science Center Initiative," prepared for the Nunn-Lugar CTR Program in
Monterey, 8/20-22/95, pp. 1-48.]
7/16/94:STCU ENTERS INTO FORCE BY DECREE The STCU agreement, which established the STCU in 10/93, entered into force
by presidential decree. In the agreement, the US committed $10 million,
Canada committed $2 million, and Sweden committed $1.5 million to get the
Center started. The majority of funds go directly to the scientists.
[Adam Moody, "A Case Study on the Cooperative Threat Reduction
Science Center Initiative," prepared for the Nunn-Lugar CTR Program in
Monterey, 8/20-22/95, pp. 1-48.]
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