On Friday the Chemical Weapons Destruction Plant in Shchuchye Russia was opened. Its construction was funded under the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program started by Seantor Richard Lugar (R-Ind) and former Senator Sam Nunn. Senator Lugar was onhand for the opening of the new facility.
The historic opening was widely covered in the international press and you can read further details, see pictures, and watch video of the event in the media reports below.
Plant to Destroy Chemical Weapons Opens in Russia – Phillip P. Pan – The Washington Post
Russia and the United States formally opened on Friday a plant in Siberia to destroy a huge stockpile of artillery shells filled with deadly nerve agents, more than a decade after alarmed U.S. officials first pledged to help secure and dispose of the weapons…
US, Russia unveil plant to decommission chemical weapons – CCTV-International
The US and Russia have opened a huge plant to decommission about two-million chemical weapons. Located in southern Siberia, the plant was built with the help of one billion dollars from the US government…
Russian chemical weapons destruction plant opens – Jim Heintz – The Associated Press
Russian and U.S. officials on Friday formally opened a massive plant in Siberia that is to destroy some 2 million chemical weapons shells, hailing the move as a milestone in global security and in cooperation between Moscow and Washington…
Russia plant destroys chemical weapons for WWIII – Dmitry Solovyov – Reuters
Much of Russia’s vast Cold War stockpile of chemical weapons, many with single warheads that could kill thousands, will be destroyed at a remote facility launched on Friday. Sarin, Soman and the most potent nerve gas VX…
Lugar Record on the Nunn-Lugar Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility (CWDF) at Shchuchye – Press Release of Senator Lugar
1992: The Pentagon requests authority for the Nunn-Lugar Program to address threats posed by chemical weapons. Congress grants the authority. 1993 – 1996: Nunn-Lugar cooperating with Russia…
US, Russian officials open plant to destroy chemical weapons – Jim Heintz, AP writer – The Boston Globe
Rising out of the rolling fields and tree-lined country roads of southern Siberia is a complex of hulking metal buildings, piping, and high-security fencing. Its purpose? To cope with one of the nastiest legacies of the Cold War…
Russia pledges to destroy chemical weapons – United Press International
The Russian government said Friday it will destroy 45 percent of the country’s chemical weapons stockpile by the end of the year. Russian Industry Minister Viktor Khristenko said during Friday’s opening ceremony…
Major Chemical Weapons Destruction Site Opens in Russia – Global Security Newswire
A major chemical weapons disposal facility formally opened today in Shchuchye, Russia, marking a significant milestone in the continuing global effort to eliminate the arsenals of chemical warfare materials…
Facility to Destroy Chemical Weapons Opens – The Moscow Times
Much of Russia’s vast Cold War stockpile of chemical weapons, many with single warheads that could kill thousands, will be destroyed at a remote Urals facility that opened Friday…
Russia Opens Chemical Weapons Destruction Plant – Voice of America
A massive plant designed to destroy two million chemical weapons opened Friday in Siberia. The plant, funded with more than $1 billion from the U.S…
Russian Chemical Weapons Destruction Site Completed Despite Obstacles – Global Security Newswire
Supporters of a Russian chemical weapons disposal facility set to formally open Friday in Siberia spent years overcoming obstacles posed by U.S. lawmakers and Russian officials to see the project through to completion…