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“UNITED STATES-RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E834-E835 on April 7, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
UNITED STATES-RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE
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HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 6, 1995
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, under the United States-Russian Partnership for Peace, the United States made a financial commitment to aid Russia's struggling economy in exchange for Russia's cooperation and compliance with international agreements. A reduced threat and defense burden were the expected outcome of the partnership. But after
$12 billion worth of United States investment
[[Page E835]] in Russia, we are no closer to international arms containment and nuclear non-proliferation.
On the contrary, Russia is the biggest supplier of arms and technology to Iran. To date, Russia has sold Iran three Kilo class submarines, of which two have been delivered; MiG-29 and Su-24 deep airstrike aircraft, of which several have been delivered; and several hundred T-72 tanks, of which a few hundred have been delivered.
At the same time, China announced a 21 percent increase in its annual military budget, to approximately $7.5 billion. This new Russia-China venture could ultimately alter the balance of naval power in Southeast Asia. With the purchase of 22 new submarines, China would be free to pursue its claims in the South China Sea to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Furthermore, on January 8, 1995, Russia signed an $800 million contract with Iran to complete two light water nuclear reactors at the unfinished Bushehr nuclear site, as well as attendant training and services. This action by Russia is in direct violation of the international Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act of 1992 (Title XVI of Public Law 102-484). The act imposes sanctions on countries that
``contribute knowingly and materially to the efforts by Iran or Iraq, or any agency or instrumentality of either country, to acquire destabilizing numbers and types of advanced conventional weapons.''
Similarly, Russia is in possible violation of many other United States laws which prohibit aid to countries that spread arms and nuclear weapons and related technology. The laws include, but may not be limited to: the Foreign Assistance Act Amendments, the Arms Export Control Act, the Export Administration Act, the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act of fiscal year 1994 and fiscal year 1995.
Finally, in the State Department's annual human rights report, Russia was identified as being in violation of international human rights agreements. In the report, Russia was criticized for the horrifying conditions of its jails and the cruel hazing of military recruits. The most serious violations, however, occurred in the Russian military assault on the breakaway republic of Chechnya where massive aerial bombardment of the capital, Grozny, and the dislocation of thousands of refugees ``were in conflict with a number of Russia's international obligations.'' In its most recent action, Russia reportedly has blocked humanitarian assistance to Chechnya by the International Red Cross.
In my judgment, Russia's, $800 million nuclear reactor contract with Iran is sufficient evidence alone to cut off United States assistance to Russia. With respect to the Russia's human rights violations, let me remind you that China almost lost Most-Favored-Nation [MFN] trade status with the United States, for less.
As a result, I have introduced H.R. 1418, a bill to prohibit all United States foreign aid and military assistance to Russia for fiscal year 1996, unless the President of the United States certifies to Congress that Russia is not exporting any nuclear technology, offensive military weapons, or other military technology. H.R. 1418, however, exempts U.S. aid in the form of humanitarian assistance or assistance for the purpose of dismantling nuclear and chemical weapons.
If Members support offensive military weapons containment and nuclear non-proliferation, I urge them to cosponsor H.R. 1418.
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