U.S. Russian Cooperation Can Reduce Nuclear Risks of Soviet Breakup,

The backbone of the former Soviet Union was its military-scientific complex. Pampered and protected by the Soviet ancient regime, it remained largely intact as the empire and then the Union itself crumbled. Today the thousands of scientists, technicians, and bureaucrats of this vast weapons complex face drastically reduced funding and in many cases unemployment as Russias democratic leaders turn their nations resources away from weapons production and toward investment in consumer-oriented government services and a rapidly expanding private sector. While this redirection of resources signals the end of a four-decade threat to America, it also creates a host of risks, ranging from Soviet nuclear scientists selling their services to outlaw states like Libya, to the prospect of a vast out-of-work army of influential technocrats seeking the overthrow of Russias nascent democracy. Secretary of State James Baker reportedly took with him to Moscow last week proposals for alleviating these dangers, including an employment clearinghouse for top Soviet scientists. Bakers program, however, does not go far enough. With Russias democracy facing serious challenges, this is no time for half-measures. George Bush should instruct Baker to push for a plan to employ tens of thousands of Russian scientists and technicians in cooperative scientific research and development programs with the United States. Bush should propose U.S.-Russian cooperation to track down and apprehend scientists who reject alternative employment and sell their services instead to hostile states.