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Russia to earmark $2 billion for nonproliferation of weapons of mass
destruction
MOSCOW. Jan 10 (Interfax) - The Russian government will allocate no less than $2 billion over the next 10 years to finance the program of the G8 global partnership for non-proliferation of weapons and materials of mass destruction, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told journalists on Friday.
This is the second largest allocation after the United States, Yakovenko noted.
"In 2003, over $204 million will be disbursed from the federal budget towards priority projects in the framework of the global partnership," he said.
"The Russian agencies prepared specific proposals on cooperation in dismantling chemical weapons and nuclear submarines. The proposals were sent to the G8 partners," he said.
The global partnership for non-proliferation was forged at the G8 summit in Kananaskis. Russia and other CIS members will receive up to $20 billion over 10 years to ensure non-proliferation, disarmament and nuclear safety, and to eradicate terrorism.
Until 2012, the United States plans to disburse $10 billion, Britain $0.75 billion, and Canada $0.65 billion. Japan will allocate 0.2 billion euros, Germany 1.5 billion euros, Italy 1 billion euros, France 0.75 billion euros and the European Union 1 billion euros. The financing should help Russia recycle chemical weapons and dismantle decommissioned nuclear submarines.
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