United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC 20519-8025
July 14, 1999
The Honorable David M. Walker
Comptroller General
General Accounting Office
Washington, D.C. 20548
Dear Mr. Walker:
In April of 1997, the Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC) thereby setting April 2007 as the deadline by which the United
States has agreed to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile. More than
a decade prior to ratification of the CWC, America was working towards
identifying a means of destruction and implementing a program that
would rid the nation of these weapons. Today, $4 billion later, less than
10% of the stockpile has been destroyed and America's program is
struggling to meet its schedule.
From 1993 to date, Congress has appropriated $4.5 billion for R&D,
Procurement, Operation and Maintenance and Military Construction for
costs associated with this national effort. We are concerned that DoD
has failed to adequately implement the national strategy, to account for
the funds appropriated by Congress, and has shifted funds for this effort
to meet other Department priorities.
In light of these issues, we request that the General Accounting Office
conduct a thorough and complete review of all programs relative to
Chemical Agents & Munitions Destruction, Defense and Chemical
Agents & Munitions Destruction, Army for the time period FY 1993-
1999. This would include, but not be limited to PMCD expenditures
within the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program (CSDP) for the fiscal
years 1993-1999. This review should include obligations and
expenditures from Operation and Maintenance, Procurement, Research &
Design and Construction and the Assembled Chemical Weapons
Assessment accounts for this time period. Further we request that this
examination evaluate schedule compliance and time lines and a
determination of whether the Department's chemical demilitarization
process is moving forward in a manner that will enable it to meet CWC
mandates.
We look forward to working with you as you undertake this important
investigation.
With best wishes,
Mitch McConnell
Chairman
Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
Cordially,
Ted Stevens
Chairman
Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Defense
 CWWG Home Page |
Contact us: |