USA To Help Russia Dismantle And Liquidate Nuclear And Chemical Weapons

US President George W.Bush has announced his decision to expand four current programs that envisage United States' help in dismantling and eliminating Russia's nuclear and chemical weapons and in safe storage of nuclear substances. According to the White House press service, Bush made a special statement in which he identified Russia as a "crucially important partner" in the effort to prevent "the world's most dangerous people from laying their hands on the world's most dangerous technologies." He also stressed he would ask the US Congress to build up financing of this activity. The press service of the US president, too, reports that the USA is about to expand several Energy Department programs, namely the ones that provide assistance to Russia's effort to ensure safe storage of nuclear substances and weapons-grade materials. Apart from that, the Pentagon intends to speed up construction of a facility for dismantling and liquidation of nuclear weapons in Shchuchye. The revised schedule won't require any additional expenses, assures the press service.