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PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES G8 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS May 30, 2003 Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that Canada would contribute close to $149 million towards new projects under the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction initiative launched at last year's G8 Summit in Kananaskis. This is the first contribution under Canada's overall commitment of up to $1 billion over ten years toward the G8 Global Partnership. At the 2002 G8 Summit, Leaders committed to raising up to $20 billion US in support of non-proliferation, disarmament, counterterrorism, and nuclear safety co-operation in Russia and other former countries of the Soviet Union. "The Global Partnership projects announced today will improve international security by destroying chemical weapons, dismantling nuclear submarines, disposing of fissile materials and redirecting former weapons scientists into peaceful research," said the Prime Minister. "These actions will also prevent terrorist groups from acquiring key ingredients for weapons of mass destruction." The new projects include:
For additional background information on the Global Partnership and Canada's efforts, please visit http://www.globalpartnership.gc.ca Funding for these projects was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
BACKGROUNDER - DESTRUCTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS – GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Recognizing the threat posed by terrorist acquisition of weapons and materials of mass destruction, G8 leaders launched the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction at the Kananaskis Summit on June 27, 2002. Under this initiative, G8 leaders undertook to raise up to US$20 billion to support cooperation projects, initially in Russia, to address the terrorist threat. As Chair of the G8 for 2002, Canada led this effort t o strengthen international security and safety. The destruction of chemical weapons was identified by leaders as among the priority concerns to be addressed by the Global Partnership. At the end of the Soviet era, the Russian Federation inherited the world's largest arsenal of chemical weapons (CW). At approximately 40,000 metric tonnes, Russia's declared stockpile includes deadly nerve agents (sarin, soman and VX) and blister agents (mustard and lewisite). Destroying these weapons, as Russia has undertaken to do pursuant to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), will be a lengthy undertaking, likely costing in excess of US$8 billion (close to 11 billion CDN). The CWC requires all states parties to destroy their chemical weapons in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Certain methods—such as dumping in a body of water, land burial, or open pit burning—are not permitted. The CWC stipulates that destruction of national stockpiles is to be accomplished within 10 years of the Convention's entry into force; that is, by April 29, 2007. The Russian Federation has formally requested a five-year extension of this deadline. Russia successfully completed the first stage of its destruction program in April 2003, destroying 400 tonnes of chemical weapons (i.e. one percent of its total stockpile). The Convention provides extensive, detailed verification measures - including declarations and on-site inspections - to support its basic prohibition of all chemical weapons. Destruction of all CW is verified through the continuous on-site presence of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Under the Global Partnership Program, support for Russian CW destruction will enhance international security and safety by helping to prevent terrorists, or those that harbour them, from acquiring or developing chemical weapons and/or related materials, equipment and technology. And by helping Russia meet its CWC obligations, the Global Partnership promises to strengthen multilateral non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament efforts. Canadian Contributions Before the Global Partnership was formed, Canada contributed approximately $5.35 million toward the construction of a Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility (CWDF) at Shchuch'ye (Kurgan Oblast). Funds were directed toward several high-priority infrastructure projects, including construction of an access road to the site's industrial area; construction of a power line for the CWDF, and partial funding of a 105-km natural gas line to the facility. Russia is the second largest contributor to the G8 Global Partnership with a commitment of $2 billion (US) over the next ten years. This is a concrete demonstration of its commitment to this important initiative - a true partnership. For further information, contact: Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
BACKGROUNDER - NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL SECURITY – GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Recognizing the threat posed by terrorist acquisition of weapons and materials of mass destruction, G8 leaders launched the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction at the Kananaskis Summit on June 27, 2002. Under this initiative, G8 leaders undertook to raise up to US$20 billion to support cooperation projects, initially in Russia, to address the terrorist threat. As Chair of the G8 for 2002, Canada led this effort to strengthen international security and safety. The disposition of fissile materials was identified by leaders as among the priority concerns to be addressed by the Global Partnership. Securing and disposing of weapon-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium has become a high priority since the end of the Cold War, as nuclear weapons are dismantled and stockpiles of these materials are declared surplus to defence requirements. The possibility that these materials will be stolen and sold illegally for such use by others poses a major threat to global security. Effective global reduction of nuclear weapons therefore means that nuclear materials must be accounted for, secured, and converted into non-weapons-usable forms ("dispositioned") quickly and efficiently. Plutonium Disposition Canada is addressing this challenge through a variety of methods. One is by contributing to the disposition of Russian weapon-grade plutonium. Much of Russia's stockpile needs better protection, as there have been instances of material stolen and smuggled out of the country. To reduce this danger, Canada and many G8 countries are negotiating the terms of a multilateral project aimed at dispositioning 34 tonnes of Russian weapon-grade plutonium. Canada strongly supports Russia's plutonium disposition program. Increased Security Canada will also support projects aimed at increasing the security of nuclear and radiological materials in Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). For example, with a $4 million contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we are funding efforts to strengthen the physical protection at facilities that house these materials, to reduce the risk of theft or sabotage. Likewise, these projects will help countries develop tighter accountability measures to help governments monitor their stockpiles and increase border controls to prevent the illicit trafficking of these materials. Canada is contributing $4 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen nuclear and radiological security throughout the FSU. With respect to radiological material in particular, Canada is supporting activities, at the IAEA, involving the recovery and destruction of "orphaned sources." Radioactive sources have benefited societies for decades through applications such as diagnosing and treating illnesses. However, the same materials can be used to make a "dirty bomb" (using conventional explosives to disperse radioactive material ). Whether under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with G8 partners, or other engaged parties, these cooperation projects funded under the Global Partnership Program will continue to contribute significantly toward increasing global security. Russia is the second largest contributor to the G8 Global Partnership with a commitment of $2 billion (US) over the next ten years. This is a concrete demonstration of its commitment to this important initiative - a true partnership. For further information, contact: Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
BACKGROUNDER - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM – EMPLOYMENT OF FORMER WEAPONS SCIENTISTS Recognizing the threat posed by terrorist acquisition of weapons and materials of mass destruction, G8 leaders launched the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction at the Kananaskis Summit on June 27, 2002. Under this initiative, G8 leaders undertook to raise up to US$20 billion to support cooperation projects, initially in Russia, to address the terrorist threat. As Chair of the G8 for 2002, Canada led this effort to strengthen international security and safety. The reemployment of former weapons scientists was identified by leaders as among the priority concerns to be addressed by the Global Partnership. With the end of the Cold War, demand for the skills of weapons scientists was virtually eliminated. However, many of those scientists retain the knowledge of how to construct weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The possibility exists that some of these scientists may be tempted to sell their knowledge to terrorist organizations or unfriendly states. This is a threat not only to Canada, but also to all countries interested in the elimination of terrorist activities. At the time of its collapse in 1991, the Soviet Union had left tens of thousands of senior and junior weapons scientists without full-time employment. To reduce the risk, governments have been working together to find ways to redirect these scientists by providing them with opportunities to apply their knowledge to peaceful scientific pursuits, while providing them with sustainable employment. The International Science and Technology Centre The Moscow-based International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) helps to downsize and convert weapons of mass destruction in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The ISTC coordinates the efforts of numerous governments, international organizations, and private-sector industries to provide weapons scientists from CIS countries with opportunities to redirect their talents to peaceful scientific pursuits. The strategy is to establish the basis for long-term economic and scientific interaction with Russia and other CIS countries by pairing the capability of former weapons scientists with current international science, health, technology and security problems and needs. The challenge is to achieve sustainable employment by ensuring that work remains compatible with the needs of industry. The ISTC provides two main mechanisms toward this goal. First, an inventory of projects is created through Russian institutions, which submit proposals to the ISTC. Acceptable projects are included in a pool of projects that are made available to member countries for funding consideration. Second, government and academic institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can join the ISTC under a partnership arrangement. These entities can propose projects of their own, and the ISTC acts as an intermediary, connecting them with the appropriate expertise. The ISTC operates in a similar manner to the Science and Technology Centre of Ukraine (STCU). Canada has been involved with the STCU since its establishment in 1994, through a program administered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIDA's experience with the STCU has shown that participation in this type of institution has benefited both Canada and the host country in terms of bilateral relations and scientific advancement. Success stories with the STCU indicate that more emphasis should be placed on technology transfer through partnership projects, in order to achieve the objective of employing these scientists while reducing their dependence on government assistance. As a result of this, both the STCU and the ISTC have been reorganized to focus on this aspect of the Centre's activities. The Global Partnership will continue to benefit from these lessons learned from Canadian participation in the STCU. Russia is the second largest contributor to the G8 Global Partnership with a commitment of $2 billion (US) over the next ten years. This is a concrete demonstration of its commitment to this important initiative - a true partnership. For further information, contact: Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
BACKGROUNDER - THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM – DISMANTLING RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR SUBMARINES Recognizing the threat posed by terrorist acquisition of weapons and materials of mass destruction, G8 leaders launched the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction at the Kananaskis Summit on June 27, 2002. Under this initiative, G8 leaders undertook to raise up to US$20 billion to support cooperation projects, initially in Russia, to address the terrorist threat. As Chair of the G8 for 2002, Canada led this effort to strengthen international security and safety. The dismantlement of nuclear submarines was identified by leaders as among the priority concerns to be addressed by the Global Partnership. The end of the Cold War arms race left Russia with a legacy of nuclear submarines in need of immediate dismantling. Although Russia has begun the process, it requires additional infrastructure and resources to address the problem swiftly, and to secure the nuclear and radioactive material from the vessels at every stage of the process. Over the past 10 years, several countries—including Japan, Norway and the United States—have supported Russia's submarine dismantlement process; however, much more needs to be done. The nuclear and other radioactive materials on the submarines and surface ships, and those stored at the shipyards, continue to pose a considerable threat in terms of both theft and sabotage. It is for these reasons that G8 leaders identified the dismantlement of decommissioned nuclear submarines as a key priority under the Global Partnership. Submarine Dismantlement Dismantling decommissioned nuclear submarines is a lengthy, expensive and hazardous process. Vessels are laid up at a variety of sites—including major fleet bases, navy territories, and industrial ship-repairing yards—where security is far from adequate. The age of the fleet, combined with the substandard storage facilities, increases the risk of environmental damage and, in case of fuel leaking, of significant radioactive contamination of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. Many of the vessels also have buoyancy problems, and must be secured to remain afloat while they are being dismantled. Once a submarine is safely docked, the fresh and spent nuclear fuel must be removed to an interim storage facility, before being transported by rail to a secure facility for reprocessing. The contaminated reactor compartments must be removed, and stored for several decades until the levels of radioactivity diminish. Finally, the remaining shell of the submarine must be chopped up and recycled. The total cost of dismantling all of Russia's decommissioned nuclear submarines could reach several billion dollars. Canada and its Partners In keeping with its commitment to increasing global security, Canada is working bilaterally with Russia and multilaterally with its G8 and other interested partners to address this problem in an effective and coordinated manner. Canada is also cooperating with multilateral organizations, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Canada's contribution will help to ensure that Russia's nuclear fleet is safely dismantled, and the resulting materials secured against terrorist acquisition. Russia is the second largest contributor to the G8 Global Partnership with a commitment of $2 billion (US) over the next ten years. This is a concrete demonstration of its commitment to this important initiative - a true partnership. For further information, contact: Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade |
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