Closing Statement for 11/14/01 Hearing on “Combating the WMD Proliferation Threat through Non-Proliferation Programs (Part I)”

                Thank you again, Ms. Jones, Ms. Holgate, and Mr. Spector, for being with us today.  Your testimony and responses to our questions are appreciated.

                I believe that the Russian government wishes to be a responsible steward of its weapons of mass destruction.  I also believe that President Bush recognizes the importance of threat reduction programs.  However, I share your concern that the Administration, even with new evidence of terrorist interest in acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction, has not acted to accelerate efforts to improve security over critical materials and expertise in the former Soviet states. 
               
Indeed, coordination, management and attention is needed from senior levels in the Administration.  Unless this attention is concentrated exclusively on nonproliferation and threat reduction objectives, the relationships between U.S. and Russian counterparts will continue to weaken, and opportunities for cooperation in new areas will continue to be lost. 

Ms. Holgate recommends the appointment of a Deputy National Security Advisor devoted to addressing these programs.  This is an interesting concept and I look forward to the Administration’s comments on her proposal.

The record will remain open for questions from members of the Subcommittee for one week.  I ask that the witnesses answer these questions in timely manner. 

This hearing is adjourned.