[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[August 31, 1992]
[Pages 1453-1454]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Russia-United States Agreement on the Disposition of 
Uranium From Nuclear Weapons
August 31, 1992

    Over the past year the United States and the former Soviet Union 
have agreed to cut their strategic nuclear arsenals by two-thirds and to 
eliminate most of their tactical nuclear weapons, including all ground-
launched systems. As a result of these dramatic reductions, thousands of 
nuclear warheads are being dismantled in Russia and the United States. 
The United States and Russia are cooperating closely to help ensure the 
safe and secure transport, storage, and dismantlement of former Soviet 
nuclear weapons.
    I am pleased to announce that the Russian Federation and the United 
States have now also initialed an agreement to ensure that highly 
enriched uranium from dismantled nuclear weapons will be used only for 
peaceful purposes. Our two Governments have initialed an agreement, 
which we

[[Page 1454]]

expect to sign quickly, providing for the conversion of this material 
into civilian reactor fuel. We have also agreed to establish measures to 
ensure that the nonproliferation, physical security, material accounting 
and control, and environmental requirements covering this material are 
fully met.
    Under the agreement, the United States and Russia would seek within 
the next 12 months to conclude an implementing contract establishing the 
terms of the purchase of weapons-grade uranium by the U.S. Department of 
Energy and the dilution of that material to reactor-grade uranium for 
sale as commercial reactor fuel. The contract would also provide for the 
participation of the U.S. private sector and the use by the Russian 
Federation of a portion of the proceeds to increase the safety of 
nuclear reactors in the former Soviet Union.
    Abroad, this agreement will help ensure that nuclear weapons-grade 
material does not fall into the wrong hands, while providing funds to 
promote economic reforms and the transition to a market-based economy. 
At home, this agreement will secure long-term supplies of less expensive 
fuel for U.S. nuclear power stations to the benefit of American 
consumers, with no adverse impact on American jobs. Thus, this U.S.-
Russian agreement illustrates how foreign policy accomplishments can 
promote our domestic economic well-being while making the world a safer 
place to live.