MOSCOW. Nov 21 (Interfax-AVN) - A new federal purpose-oriented program that was developed by the Russian Ammunition Agency and is aimed at disposing of chemical weapons in Russia makes provisions for significant increases in budget allocations, the agency's press service told Interfax on Thursday.
The program was adopted by the government in July 2001.
"The program also envisions reducing spending as a whole and is focused on technical and technological tasks related to the destruction of chemical weapons, as well as ensuring the security and tackling social issues facing the population and personnel at chemical weapons disposal facilities under construction," the press service said.
The program is centered around improving the infrastructure of regions that house facilities for the storage and destruction of chemical weapons, including the construction of modern buildings, schools and medical centers.
This approach was put in practice in the village of Gorny. "For instance, the funding of this facility in the Saratov region amounted to only RUB260.3m (USD8.18m) in 2000, but allocations in 2001-2002 grew to RUB3.28bn (USD103.03m), i.e. by nearly 13 times," the press service said.
The Ammunition Agency believes that completion of the first chemical destruction facility and its preparation for the launching confirm proper spending of federal budget funds and Russia's adherence to the goal of destroying one of the cruelest types of weapons of mass destruction.
"Our next major goal is work with the facility's personnel, constant improvement of their competence and skills. A team of experts and specialists has been selected, they are the cream of Russia's chemical science and industry. Russia's best specialists - scientists and engineers in the sphere of chemistry and technology of poisonous substances - will take part in putting the facility in operation," the press service said.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) highly values Russia's efforts to implement the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Russia has been making these efforts despite economic problems, Chairman of the OPCW Executive Council Lionel Fernando said, commenting on the results of his trip to Gorny.
The delegation led by Fernando stayed in Russia from Sunday to Wednesday. It consisted of officials from Argentina, Austria, China, Finland France, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the United States. The officials visited the facility in Gorny and negotiated with Ammunition Agency Director General Zinovy Pak.