Washington -- Secretary of State Baker, German Foreign Minister Genscher and Russian Foreign Minister Kozyrev have agreed to call for the creation in Russia of an international science and technology center that would support scientists and engineers of the former Soviet Union.
The center "would be a clearinghouse for developing, selecting, funding and monitoring projects that would be carried out primarily at institutions and facilities" located in Russia and other nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to a statement released February 17 by the U.S., German and Russian governments.
Following is the text of the tripartite statement: (begin text)
Foreign Minister Genscher of the Federal Republic of Germany, Foreign Minister Kozyrev of the Russian Federation, and Secretary of State Baker of the United States have agreed to call for the creation in Russia of an international science and technology center that would support scientists and engineers of the former Soviet Union during the present critical period which includes the transition to a market economy, the developing process of disarmament and the conversion of industrial-technical potential from military to peaceful endeavors.
The center would be a clearinghouse for developing, selecting funding and monitoring projects that would be carried out primarily at institutions and facilities located in the Russian Federation and other interested Commonwealth states.
An important focus of projects supported by the center would be to give weapons scientists and engineers opportunities to redirect their talents to non-military endeavors and in particular to minimize any incentives to engage in activities that would result in proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and missile delivery systems. Through these projects, scientists and engineers would also contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, including the development of technologies that could assist in those efforts. The center would also serve the wider goals of supporting the transition to market-based economies responsive to civilian needs as well as supporting basis and applied research and technology development.
The success of this initiative will require strong international support, including funding from foundations, academic and scientific institutions, and other non-governmental bodies. The private sector will be encouraged to play an important role that would include identifying and funding 1ommercially-promising research and applications. The United States will seek to provide $25 million to help establish the center and fund its projects, and will seek support from other interested members of the international community.
Germany will advocate support for the initiative by the European Community and its member states.
In order to establish the center as soon as possible, the three ministers agreed that a meeting should be held at the earliest possible time with the participation of interested states, including Russia and other Commonwealth states.