5/8/99: LUKASHENKA SAYS BELARUS
DID NOT DESTROY LAUNCH PADS FOR RUSSIAN WEAPONS At a press conference in Volgograd,
Russia, on 8 May 1999, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka
said that while Belarus has not discussed the return of nuclear weapons
to Belarus in the event of union with Russia, "all launch pads have been
preserved despite pressure on the part of both NATO and Russia."
[ITAR-TASS World Service broadcast,
8 May 1999; in "Belarus Ready for Concessions in Union with Russia," FBIS
Document FTS19990508001040.] {Entered 6/8/99 FW} 2/20/98: BELARUS WILL
DISMANTLE ITS LAUNCH PADS Belarusian Chief of Staff Mikhail
Kazlov (Kozlov) announced in Minsk that Belarus intends to dismantle its
strategic missile launch pads despite the lack of US funds. Kazlov
stated that since Belarus has declared itself a nuclear-free territory,
the launch pads serve no military purpose. US Ambassador to Belarus
Daniel Speckhard told journalists that the US government suspended the
$1.9 million allocated for launch pad demolition following Belarus' refusal
to allow US experts access to mobile missile sites and in response to Belarusian
human rights violations. Speckhard stated that the United States
is pleased with Belarus' intent to destroy the launch pads itself.[1]
Belarusian Foreign Minister Ivan Antonovich said that Belarus intends to
fulfill its commitments to the world community and complete the launch
pad dismantlement by 2001.[2]
[1] "Belarus To Scrap Missile Launch
Pads on Its Own, General Says," Interfax, 20 February 1998, No. 4. [2] Valeriy Kovalev, "These Recalcitrant
'Kronas': The United States Has Stopped Aid for Elimination of Nuclear
Missile Launch Pads in Belarus," Krasnaya zvezda, 15 January 1998,
p. 3; in "Loss of Nuclear Missile Elimination Aid," FBIS-SOV-98-030, 30
January 1998. {updated 3/10/98 djw}
1/23/98: US FIRM REMOVES
EQUIPMENT FROM BELARUS Controlled Demolition Incorporated
(CDI) has been preparing customs documents to remove demolition equipment
from Belarus following the cancellation of its contract.[1] CDI won
a contract to dismantle Krona (SS-25) launch pads in Belarus in 1996, but
the equipment sat unused at Building Trust No. 4 for over 18 months.[1]
Only three of the 81 launch pads have been demolished; the remaining 78,
which CDI was to destroy, are still intact.[3] According to Belapan
radio, although $1.9 million from Nunn-Lugar funds were disbursed for
the destruction of the site, the Belarus government denied CDI access to
the launch pads. According to US Assistant Secretary of Defense Edward
Warner, Belarus will have to destroy the launch pads without US financial
assistance. (The United
States suspended CTR funding for Belarus in March 1997.[4]) US Ambassador to Belarus Daniel Speckhard
stated that the United States does not view the existence of the Krona
launch pads as a threat and that this incident will not harm relations
between the two countries. Unnamed specialists have questioned the
need to demolish the abandoned launch pads since they present no strategic
threat; mobile Topol-M missile systems would not require Krona launch pads.
The Belarusian subcontactor to CDI (Building Trust No. 4) also doubted
that the allotted funds would have been enough to cover the entire project,
given the conditions in winter, the dense forests, and the need to provide
housing to contractors.[2]
[1] Belapan Radio, 23
January 1998; in "Company Hired To Destroy Belarus Launch Pads Returns
to US," FBIS-UMA-98-023. [2] Valeriy Kovalev, "These Recalcitrant
'Kronas': The United States Has Stopped Aid for Elimination of Nuclear
Missile Launch Pads in Belarus," Krasnaya zvezda, 15 January 1998,
p. 3; in "Loss of Nuclear Missile Elimination Aid," FBIS-SOV-98-030, 30
January 1998. [3] Sergey Sokolov, 0"Minsk
ne speshit vypolnyat usloviya dogovora SNV-1," Segodnya, 29 January
1998. {updated 3/10/98 djw} [4] "U.S. cuts off $40 million in aid
to Belarus," Reuters, 21 March 1997.{updated 7/28/98 FW}
6/4/96:BELARUS SUBCONTRACTOR FOR SS-25 LAUNCH
PAD DEMOLITION Building Trust No. 4, a Belarusian construction organization,
will be a subcontractor for the American company Controlled Demolition
Incorporated, in the mechanical demolition of the Krona missile launch
pads. This demolition will be carried out in accordance with the START-I
Treaty over a period of 25 months.
[BELAPAN, 6/2/96, in "Belarus: Doubts Over U.S. Company's
Ability To Destroy Rocket Silos," FBIS-SOV-98-108, 6/4/96.]
3/22/96: LEFTOVER MISSILE FUEL IN BELARUS AN ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARD Reportedly, there are 7200 tons of missile fuel that have
been left at points throughout Belarus. Some of these sites are as close
as 2.5 km. from inhabited areas. All of the tanks in which the fuel is
stored date from 1965-70, but were designed to be used for only 15 years.
At one location outside of Lida, 1800 tons are stored, while close to the
Polish border, another 1200 tons are stored. According to the Institute
of Radiation Safety (Minsk) Director Vasiliy Nesterenko, the Nunn-Lugar
program to burn the fuel will take approximately three years. the Institute
is currently tasked with recycling 120 tons of the fuel, which it can reportedly
do in four months time. According to a 2/96 CTR brief, there are 1000 MT
of liquid rocket fuel and approximately 9000 tons of liquid rocket oxidizer
in Belarus.
[CISNP Discussions With Ukrainian Official, 3/22/96; "Destruction And Dismantlement,"
CTR: FORECAST TO INDUSTRY, 2/23/96.]
12/28/95:TENDER FOR LAUNCH PAD DEMOLITION The U.S. Defense Nuclear Agency announced a tender for the
best project to eliminate the Krona (SS-25) missile launch pads. The Belarusian
Ministry of Defense announced that more than 20 U.S. and Belarusian enterprises,
organizations, and firms have applied to take part. The actual work will
begin later in 1996.
[Valeriy Kovalev, "Only 'Krona' Left After Topol Withdrawal,"
KRASNAYA ZVEZDA, 12/28/95, p. 3; in FBIS-TAC-96-001, 12/28/95.] 11/1/95:LAUNCH PAD DEMOLITION ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS There
is a lack of funds and technology for the rehabilitation of territory after
the destruction of the SS-25 launch pads. Spilled missile fuel is also
a threat to the environment and has been a concern for Belarus during the
ICBM missile withdrawal.
[CISNP Discussions with Belarusian official, 10/95.] 10/18/95: RFP FOR SS-25 LAUNCH PAD DESTRUCTION The U.S. Defense Nuclear Agency is scheduled to issue a request
for proposals for the elimination of the 81 remaining foundation pads for
ICBM launchers (Krona missile launch pads) in Belarus. The launch pads
are located in three major locations and must be eliminated within two
years of the awarding of the contract. Destruction of the launch pads is
required under START-1, and the Defense Nuclear Agency contract is funded
by the Nunn-Lugar CTR program. According to this source, proposals from
interested bidders were expected sometime after 10/18/95.
["Defense Nuclear Agency: Foundation Pad Elimination in the
Republic Of Belarus," POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR AND DEFENSE MONITOR, 10/31/95,
pp. 13-14.] 8/15/95:SS-25 LAUNCH PAD DESTRUCTION METHODS According to a Belarusian Defense Ministry official, the
Belarusian leadership wishes its 81 Krona missile launch pads to be destroyed
mechanically. Americans have suggested hydraulic fragmentation, which will
crush the pads and result in material that can be used for gravel, crushed
concrete and fittings. Under the withdrawal agreement, the launch pads
should be destroyed by Russia. However, controlled explosions do not satisfy
Belarus environmental standards. The first two pads were exploded and caused
too much ecological harm. Belarusian leaders are also considering American
help in burning, storing, and guarding the components of the 8,000 tons
of propellant from the strategic nuclear missiles to be scrapped. One possibility
is to convert the oxidant component into nitric-acid for fertilizer, which
may end up costing more than it is worth. The U.S. Congress has pledged
to provide $8 million for these projects and the United States is ready
to start work by the middle of next year.
Sources: [1] Aleksandr Korzhun, Igor Porshenev, Yevgeniy Terekhov,
and others; "Diplomatic Panorama," INTERFAX, 8/15/95. [2] "Delivery of Missiles to Russia to be Slowed by Belarus,"
POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR & DEFENSE MONITOR, 8/18/95, pp. 2-3. [3] "Talks with US on Missile Bases, Fuel Detailed," BELAPAN,
8/17/95. 8/7/95: MEETING ON SS-25 LAUNCH PAD DESTRUCTION A group of U.S. disarmament specialists met in Minsk to discuss
the elimination of nuclear arms from Belarus. Discussion focused on the
SS-25 launch pads. Belarusian studies have shown that destroying the pads
via controlled explosions causes excessive environmental damage. Thus,
a plan to destroy the launch pads has been halted.
[Ustina Markus, "Armament Specialists in Belarus," OMRI DAILY
DIGEST, vol. 1, no. 154, p. 6.] 6/94: US CONFIRMS DETARGETING MISSILES At the request of the Belarusian government, the U.S. State
Department confirmed that there were no longer any strategic missiles aimed
at the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
[Minsk Radio Minsk Network, 6/2/94; in 6/3/94, "Embassy Asks
U.S. To Confirm Missile Aiming," FBIS-SOV-94-107.] 11/93:SHUSHKEVICH ON UKRAINIAN DENUCLEARIZATION Stanislav Shushkevich, Chairman of the Belarusian Parliament,
criticized Russian and U.S. pressure on Ukraine to become a non-nuclear
state. He suggested that the best way for them to convince Ukraine to give
up it nuclear weapons was to demonstrate the advantages to be gained from
doing so.
[Ustina Markus, "Belarus Opposes Russian, US Pressure On
Ukraine's Nuclear Stance," RFE/RL NEWS BRIEFS, Vol. 2, No. 48, 11/22/93,
p. 17.]
Issues Surrounding Missile Transfer to Russia
FINANCIAL COMPENSATION
2/27/96:AGREEMENT ON COMPENSATION FOR HEU: BELARUS
ENERGY DEBT WRITTEN OFF In an official visit to Moscow, President Lukashenka agreed
to an economic agreement which eliminates Belarus' energy debt to Russia
in exchange for the highly enriched uranium already recovered from the
nuclear missiles which were withdrawn from Belarus. According to an OMRI
report, Belarus owed Russia almost $800 million for energy supplies and
another $470 million for outstanding loans. Minsk has also reportedly made
the claim that Moscow owes it $800 million for ecological damage caused
by strategic missiles and $114 million for Russian troops stationed on
its territory.
["President Lukashenka's First Official Visit To Moscow,"
Press release, The Embassy of Belarus to the United States of America,
2/27/96. See also Ustina Markus, "Belarusian President In Russia," OMRI
DAILY DIGEST, 2/27/96.] 2/19/96:RUSSIA-BELARUS NEGOTIATIONS OVER WARHEAD
HEU According to Petr Kravchenko (Piotr Krauchanka), the Chairman
of the International Affairs Committee of the Belarusian parliament, Russia
is refusing to pay Minsk hundreds of millions of dollars for uranium recovered
from strategic missiles that are being withdrawn from Belarus. All the
reprocessed uranium is kept in Russia. Mikalay Karpiyevich, the head of
the Belarusian Parliamentary Commission for National Security, Defense,
and Crime Prevention reported that due to the lack of payment the remaining
18 SS-25 missiles in Belarus may not be withdrawn to Russia.
[SEGODNYA NEWSCAST, 2/19/96, in "Belarus Disputing Right
To Uranium From Dismantled Missiles," FBIS-TAC-96-004, 2/19/96; Aleksandr
Acheretnyy, "Our Task Is To Draft Proper Laws Which Meet The Demands Of
Time And Are Accepted By The People," NARODNAYA GAZETA, 2/21/96, p. 1,
in "Belarus: Official Outlines Call For New Military Doctrine," FBIS-TAC-96-004,
2/21/96.] 1/11/96: BELARUSIAN DEPUTY CLAIMS WARHEAD HEU WORTH $1.5
BILLION Supreme Soviet Deputy Piotr Krauchanka accused Russia of
appropriating uranium extracted from strategic missiles withdrawn from
Belarus. Krauchanka stated that Belarus could claim $1.5 billion for the
uranium. This figure is based on reports by Russian experts that the uranium
extracted from missiles deployed in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Russia
is worth $10-12 billion. Belarus claimed 10-15% of the former USSR's nuclear
potential.
[Vyacheslav Zyankovich, Interview with Piotr Krauchanka,"
ZVYAZDA, 1/9/96, p. 11; "In Belarus," POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR AND DEFENSE MONITOR,
1/31/96, p. 11. See also Ustina Markus, "Belarusian Deputy Accuses Moscow
Over Uranium," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 1/12/96.] 2/94: GRIB CALLS FOR COMPENSATION FOR TACTICAL NUCLEAR
WEAPONS Chairman of the Parliament Mechislav Grib pledged to uphold
Belarus' commitment to nuclear disarmament and proceed with economic reforms.
He said, "Hanging on to nuclear arms doesn't make economic sense for Belarus,"
and added that he would seek compensation from Moscow for the tactical
nuclear weapons returned to Russia in 1992.
["Belarus's New Leader To Uphold Non-Nuclear Status," Reuter,
2/1/94.] 1/16/94:AGREEMENT ON TACTICAL WARHEAD COMPENSATION
REPORTED Interfax reported that Prime Minister Vyacheslau Kebich said
that Russia agreed to compensate Belarus for the tactical nuclear weapons
as well as the ICBMs that had been stationed on Belarusian territory. If
Belarus were to receive compensation solely for the ICBMs, the figure is
estimated at $50 million. If the tactical nuclear warheads were also included
the figure would increase several fold, given that there were several hundred
to a thousand such weapons in Belarus.
[John Lepingwell, "Belarus Requests Compensation For Nuclear
Weapons," RFE/RL NEWS BRIEFS, 1/10/94, p. 2.] 1/94:BELARUS TO SEEK COMPENSATION FOR HEU FROM
TACTICAL NUCLEAR WARHEADS Valeriy Tsepkalo, a top foreign affairs advisor to former
Belarusian leader Stanislav Shushkevich, said that Belarus plans to seek
a share of the profits made from the sales of HEU from the nuclear weapons
that are being dismantled. The agreement that Russia made with Ukraine
prompted Belarus to request $500 million in compensation for the tactical
nuclear warheads that were withdrawn to Russia from Belarus in 1992.
["Belarus Wants Share Of Nuclear Arms Sale," Reuter, 1/17/94.]
