#5 - JRL 6600
New York Times
December 14, 2002
letter
Russia's Arms Stocks

To the Editor:
Re "Destroying Weapons of Terror" (editorial, Dec. 9):

You accuse me of trying to "hobble" nonproliferation programs, instituting "inflexible bureaucratic requirements" and opposing financing for a plant in Russia to destroy nerve gases.

No member of Congress has done more to improve our country's relationship with Russia. I negotiated language that placed common-sense conditions on the flow of funds in an effort to save the program from extinction.

Further, I broke the logjam regarding these conditions by obtaining language that provides the president with the limited authority to waive the conditions.

Having been recently honored as the first foreigner to gain membership to the prestigious Russian Academy of Social Sciences, I did what I have always done as Russia's best friend and toughest critic: held the Russians accountable for their actions.

CURT WELDON
Member of Congress, 7th Dist., Pa.