for immediate release, Friday,
January 27, 2006
PENTAGON MEMO CONFIRMS CONSTRUCTION FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COLORADO AND KENTUCKY
WEAPONS DISPOSAL PROJECTS IN 2006
In a memo sent to Congressional Defense
Committees late yesterday, the Pentagon acknowledged they intend to use $44
million of the $51 million appropriated in 2006 for construction of the chemical
disposal facilities in Colorado and Kentucky.
The memo, signed by Under Secretary of Defense Kenneth
Krieg, comes after an Amendment to the '06 Defense Spending Bill put forth
by Senators McConnell (R-KY) and Allard (R- CO) permitting Research
and Development funds to be used for Construction - an unusual modification
within the budget process.
According to Craig Williams, Director of the Chemical
Weapons Working Group, the need for the Amendment was created by the Pentagon's
strategy, a year ago, to stop the projects at both sites. "Their assumption
that they would succeed in bringing these projects to a standstill led them
to eliminate the request for Construction funds in their budget," said Williams.
"But, due to the enormous support for moving forward with disposal in both
communities and the determination of both Senators, the funds are now available
for Construction purposes."
Just a week ago, a solicitation of bids for preliminary
construction at the Kentucky site was put out by the contractor, but it was
noted that any award would be contingent on available funding. "This memo
should allow the contract to start 'moving dirt' be awarded, and we hope
to see such activities beginning this Spring," said Williams.
Similar activities should begin Colorado around the
same time.
In addition, the Pentagon memo states, "The Department
intends to seek Military Construction funds to support the ACWA [CO and KY]
Program with the submittal of its FY 07 budget request."
"It now appears the Department of Defense intends to
move forward with the ACWA Program," said Williams. "The question is, 'Will
they request and be provided adequate funds in future years to attain the
long term goal - eliminating the risk posed by these WMD's.?' "
"We'll be looking at the '07 budget request and future
projections carefully to ensure all necessary efforts towards disposal can
be sustained ." he added.
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Copies of the memo are available from the CWWG office upon request.
