[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E834-E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              UNITED STATES-RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

                                 ______


                      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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