07/29/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10034

RUSSIAN WEAPONS SALES

Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction have transformed international relations. A century ago, when a country was defeated in war, it was usually reincorporated into the system of nations. But today, as U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said, "if a defeated and resentful country possesses [weapons of mass destruction], makes itself a haven for terrorists, or both, the situation is very different. This is why, for example, Iraq cannot simply be accepted back into a role as a ‘normal’ country."

This change has implications for all countries, especially those, like Russia, with a large trade in weapons and technology. Russia, like other countries, needs to be careful in its dealings with such countries as Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, which are seeking nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. In particular, there is a need to tighten controls on nuclear cooperation with Iran. As Ambassador Vershbow said, "Russia has to avoid letting its desire for commercial gain end up hastening the day that these countries can pose a real [weapons of mass destruction] threat -- a threat that could not only destabilize their own regions, but undermine the security of the entire world."

Relations with China pose another challenge. Ambassador Vershbow posed an important question: "Could the massive amounts of weaponry that Russia sells to China -- for understandable commercial reasons -- add to the instability of Asia?" The U.S. is concerned that China is seeking advanced weaponry partly in order to assert its claim to Taiwan militarily. As President George W. Bush has made clear, the U.S. opposes the use of force to solve the Taiwan question and encourages dialogue and contacts across the [Taiwan] Strait.

The U.S., Russia, and other countries could soon be threatened by rogue regimes seeking long-range missiles to deliver nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. Cooperation on missile defense is essential to meet this threat. In addition, the Group of Eight countries -- the U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy -- have formed a Global Partnership to fight the spread of weapons of mass destruction. As much as twenty-billion dollars will be available to help Russia and perhaps other countries of the former Soviet Union eliminate or make secure nuclear, chemical, and other materials that could fall into the hands of terrorists or rogue states.

As U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said, terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction "respect no borders and can only be met by the broadest possible international cooperation."