SENATE ARMED SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
HOLDS HEARING ON CHEM WEAPONS DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Defense Department Provides Ambiguous Responses
Surrounding Transportation, Treaty Compliance and Funding Issues
Today on Capitol Hill, members of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee
on "Emerging Threats and Capabilities" questioned Defense and State
Department officials about U.S. efforts to dispose of the nation's chemical
weapons.
Controversy has been swirling around the disposal project since its inception
in 1985, but has increased since last January when internal documents released
by the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) revealed Pentagon plans to gut
funding to two of the eight storage sites - located in Pueblo, Colorado and
Richmond, Kentucky. The Pentagon has stated that it is also considering
transporting weapons from some sites to others to save money, an option currently
illegal under federal law.
At today's hearing, Undersecretary of Defense Michael Wynne said that it
was the Department's intention to "examine every alternative we can," including
transportation. Both Colorado Senators (Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar)
were joined by the Committee's Ranking Member, Sen. Jack Reed (RI) in expressing
frustration at the Pentagon's insistence to study options that are banned
by federal statute. "There will be no shipment of these weapons," said Sen.Reed,
"therefore there should be no money spent studying such an option."
Wynne stated that a report on all options being considered would be available
to Congress in June of this year, but, Wynne later stated "In regards to
the Pueblo, Colorado site, by 2010 we'll know what needs to be done."
The Chairman, Sen. John Cornyn (TX), and others expressed concerns with the
United States apparent breach of an international treaty, requiring 100%
disposal by 2012. He emphasized the importance of this country's obligations.
He questioned State Department representative Donald Mahley, about the Pentagon's
interaction with his office, to which Mahley said, "There has been no formal
coordination with the Defense Department on this matter." Mahley also stated
that if America violates its treaty obligations, "We will loose some of our
moral status, impeding our ability to hold other countries to task."
Regarding the Pentagon's freeze on funds for disposal in Kentucky and Colorado,
Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), said in a statement read into the record, "The
Department has offered all sorts of reasons why, but the bottom line is that
they refuse to spend the money we appropriated to dispose of the chemical
weapons. This Congress cannot and will not let them get away with it."
Emphasizing how residents feel in communities storing such materials Sen.
McConnell said, "Imagine how nervous you would be if large quantities of
VX gas were stored in the committee room across the hall."
Sen. Cornyn said that this program must be seen as a national priority, "Every
effort must be made to eliminate the risks posed to communities by these
weapons, "he said.
CWWG director Craig Williams summed up toady's hearings saying, "Ultimately
what must take precedence is the safety of the citizens of this country.
Obviously some Pentagon officials are more concerned about saving money."
Sen. Reed expressed this same view, telling the Pentagon officials, "Cost
is not an excuse for allowing this program to fall behind."
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